The Bronx River Alliance is proud to launch the 2023-2024 Academic Year Session of the EELS (Environmental Education and Leadership for Students) Internship.
The mission of the EELS internship is to introduce students from environmental justice communities to careers in the environmental field. Fifteen (15) students from New York City public high schools who have spent a summer engaging in introductory hands-on field work with Bronx River Alliance staff. During the academic year, the EELS Interns will work in small groups with mentors who are performing research centered around the Bronx River, or who would like to support student ideas for research topics. EELS Interns will support the mentor with field work and data collection, and the mentor will provide the interns with access to peer-reviewed articles and professional, specialized field experience.
We are recruiting local research scientists, who are currently planning on completing research in and around the Bronx River, who need the majority of their field work completed in Spring 2024.
We are seeking 3-4 mentors, who specialize in Ecology, Urban Ecology, Environmental Science, Public Health, Geography, Marine Biology, or a related field, and are able to guide and support a group of up to 5 students.
Time Period: February 24, 2024 – June 13, 2024 (more details below).
Mentors must be: (may be flexible, please contact with any questions).
- Currently senior in an accredited college, enrolled in an accredited graduate or doctoral program, or working in the fields of Ecology, Urban Ecology, Environmental Science, Public Health, Geography, Marine Biology, or a related field.
- Planning to work, or currently working on a research project in which the Bronx River is an essential focus. This includes but is not limited to research taking place in the Bronx River itself, the Bronx River Forest, the Bronx River Watershed, the Bronx River Greenway, or the Bronx River Foodway in Concrete Plant Park. Citywide studies are appropriate, provided the Bronx River is included in the study.
- Capable of guiding a team of up to 5 high school students in research, field methods, and data collection.
- Willing to share resources such as peer-reviewed articles for background research.
- Assist in creating a final research poster to be completed in June 2024.
- Available to commit to a Saturday morning (09:30 a.m. – 01:30 p.m.) schedule
- from February 24 – June 1
- poster presentation on June 13.
- Mentors are expected to meet in-person on meeting days. The Fall semester, November – December, will include the students meeting and choosing their mentors, then engaging in background reading and discussion. Field research and data analysis will begin around March 2024.
For more detailed information about the schedule, please view Appendix A. Note that this calendar is subject to change.
- Committed to keeping in touch with interns via e-mail during scheduled Winter and Spring breaks.
The time commitment is approximately 60 hours total for the Spring semester. Bronx River Alliance staff will handle administrative tasks and intern management. The mentor needs only to provide scientific resources and field work guidance / oversight.
A total honorarium of $1,500 will be given to mentors.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to education@bronxriver.org by Friday, January 12, 2024. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis. In your application, please indicate the research topic you plan to cover.
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About the Bronx River Alliance
The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river. We work in harmonious partnership to protect, improve and restore the Bronx River corridor. Our goal is to make a healthy ecological, recreational, educational, and economic resource for all communities through which the river flows.
The Alliance works in close partnership with the New York City Parks as well as dozens of community-based partners, regional nonprofits, businesses and all levels of government.
