Check below to find different volunteer opportunities!

Alachua Conservation Trust

Description: An internship with ACT is a great way to become more familiar with the inner workings of an accredited land trust, gain real work experience with a nonprofit, and develop marketable skills. There are two main internship paths (Natural Resource Management and Nonprofit Operations) with different positions offered through each path.

Time: 120 hours per semester.

To apply: Check for openings (https://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org/internships). Fall applications are due at the beginning of July, Spring applications are due at the beginning of December, and Summer applications are due at the beginning of April.

Contact: info@alachuaconservationtrust.org

Cinema Verde

Description: Make a difference with your internship. Help provide strategic and practical support for Cinema Verde’s nonprofit mission to bring environmental education to a broad audience through film, art, and global community events. Put your skills to work to tackle climate anxiety and inspire climate action.

Tasks: We need your talents from video editing, (environmental) journalism, marketing, social media, grant writing, event planning and management to administration and sustainable business development.

To apply: Fill out this form

Contact: Trish Riley, trish@cinemaverde.org

Field and Fork

Description: Interns have the opportunity to work in the field learning all aspects of producing food for the Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Field & Fork Pantry on campus, to network with community organizations and industry partners, and to be part of a diverse team learning and growing together.

Tasks: Interns will help with various aspects of the farm and will focus on specific projects and programs throughout their experience. Projects and roles may vary by semester, but here are a few examples: compost, harvest, propagation, outreach, integrated pest management, international forest harden, and gleaning.

Time: 3 hour shifts to make up 10+ hours a week for the duration of the semester.

To apply: Check for openings

Contact: Kelli Brew, kelliabrew@ufl.edu

Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) AmeriCorps Program

Description: The 24-year-old Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) AmeriCorps program is administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Members serve under one of three programs:

Project ANT – Habitat restoration by managing invasive plants.

Project ROAR – Work with DEP to identify parks in need of volunteer recruitment and outreach.

Project TREC – Trail restoration and awareness projects in FL State Parks and assist the Disaster Support Team.

Time: Members must commit to a half term (900 service hours over 6 months) or a full term (1,700 service house over 11 months).

Eligibility: Applicants must complete a background check, attend the orientation week for their project, be at least 17 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have a driver’s license, be able to tolerate Florida climate, and have a positive attitude.

To apply: Register at my.AmeriCorps.gov, create an application, and submit your application to Florida Conservation Corps.

Contact: Florida Conservation Corps Administration Office, FLCC@FloridaDEP.gov

Florida Museum Undergraduate Internship Program

Description: Established with the aim of increasing the outreach of Florida Museum programs across the UF campus, this internship award program seeks to support undergraduate students by facilitating their work on museum-based internship projects.

Tasks: Internships are to be focused on gaining experience in collections work, laboratory analysis, and/or fieldwork.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students, including graduating seniors, enrolled at the University of Florida who can demonstrate how their involvement will expand the museum’s reach.

To apply: Check for openings 

Contact: fmuip@floridamuseum.ufl.edu

GatorCorps Program

Description: GatorCorps is the new Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience’s AmeriCorps program. This program deploys its members to towns and cities within the Florida Resilient Cities program to enhance local disaster risk reduction efforts, promote climate change adaptation, and work with partners toward resilient communities.

Tasks: Delivering educational programs to both children and adults related to resilience and risk reduction, delivering training and resilience tools and techniques to community leaders, and contributing to capacity building within the host organization.

Time: Part time (10-20 hours per week) or Full Time with a minimum of 450 hours completed during the service year.

Location: Members will be deployed for national service to Jacksonville, Gainesville, or Cedar Key.

To apply: Complete the application

Contact: Carla Brisotto, c.brisotto@ufl.edu

Impact Internship Program

Description: The Social Impact & Sustainability Initiative at the UF Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center empowers students to use the skills and strategies of business leaders to create innovative and sustainable solutions to social, environmental, and economic problems, locally and around the world.

The purpose of the Impact Internship program is to give students the opportunity to create impact by collaborating with others who are respected for the impacts their ventures make possible. Our hope is that by working along side & assisting folks who are expert impact-makers, you’ll be able to both contribute to their important work AND gain experience that helps to define & refine your own future plans as a change-makers. We have Impact Internship opportunities for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

To apply: Submit an online application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Contact: Dr. Kristin Joys, impactscholars@warrington.ufl.edu

Lubee Bat Conservancy

Description: THE LUBEE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM offers a unique and exciting opportunity that helps participants gain professional animal care experience at a world renowned conservation organization. Lubee is an AZA Certified Related Facility. You need to be self-motivated and an energetic individual that’s interested in gaining experience in the animal care field. Interns will learn husbandry skills for bats, small mammals, and reptiles alongside our professional animal care staff.

Time: The Lubee Internship Program is offered throughout the year, in four 14-week seasonal semesters. Spring: February – May. Summer: May – August. Fall: August – November. Winter: November – February. Intern schedule is a 40 hour week (5 days a week 8:00am-4:00pm). Days off will be determined after acceptance to program.

Location: 1309 NW 192nd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609

To apply: Please send resume, cover letter, and two professional or educational references to lubeebatconintern@gmail.com with the subject line reading: INTERNSHIP (Your Name & the semester you’d like to participate in).

The Washington Center Internship Program

Description: Are you interested in politics, public policy, international relations, business, health care, non-profits, education, or the arts? The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, also known as TWC, provides immersive internships and academic seminars to students from hundreds of colleges and universities and young professionals from across the U.S. and more than 25 countries.

The University of Florida is a partner institution, expanding the reach of the campus by offering UF students access and opportunities in the Washington D.C. area that allow them to earn academic credit while interning. Summer, fall, and spring internships are available in hundreds of public, private, non- profit and government agencies in all fields in Washington, D.C.

To apply: Sign up at this link to get in touch with TWC’s admissions team and be notified of upcoming information sessions. Also, please contact UF liaison, Dr. Kevin Bird, to set up an appointment to discuss TWC. Fall applications are due in March, Spring Applications are due in October, and Summer Applications are due in February.

Contact: Dr. Kevin Bird, kevin.bird@ufl.edu

Wilmot Botanical Gardens

Description: Our internship opportunities are planned to enrich participants’ work skills and understanding of the many integrated programs supporting a successful public garden and a horticultural therapy operation. Internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on the availability of funds. Internships at Wilmot Botanical Gardens are designed to promote academic, career and personal development through structured and supervised experiences.

Tasks: Internships may specialize in General Horticulture, Horticulture Therapy, Greenhouse Operations, or Public Gardens Operations.

Eligibility: Applicants must be reliable with a strong commitment to learning and hard work. Experience or academic training in the plant sciences is desirable but not required. Health insurance is required.

Time: Internship durations can vary based on your personal situation from three months to one semester.

To apply: Submit an online application form, and other required materials to Dr. Craig Tisher at tisher@ufl.edu.

Contact: Dr. Craig Tisher, tisher@ufl.edu

Colburn Experiential Learning Scholarship

Description: The Colburn Student Opportunity Fund provides need-based support to undergraduate students who have secured experiential learning opportunities in civic engagement, public leadership, public policy, and public service beyond the confines of the Alachua County community. Awarded amounts may range from $500 – $1,500 depending on the funds available and the financial need of a Colburn applicant.

Eligibility: Enrolled, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate at UF, 2.75 GPA, and identified experiential learning opportunity.

To apply: Applications are due by the last day of classes the semester before the intended term of use. For example, if you apply for funds to be used in the Spring term, submit the Colburn Scholarship request by the last day of Fall classes. Fill out this form.

Humanities Engagement Scholars Program

Description: The Humanities Engagement Scholars (HES) program enables undergraduate students to participate in the humanities across campus and in different communities. As a part of the program, students will complete humanities courses and participate in the planning, preparation, and/or execution of humanities events at UF, in Gainesville, and beyond. Students who complete the Humanities Engagement Scholars program will be honored with special cords for graduation and certificates of recognition.

Eligibility: The program, offered by the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere, is open to UF undergraduate students from all majors as well as undecided, exploratory, or transfer students. Students must have a minimum of 12 credit hours, attend 2 in-person events at UF or in Gainesville, and contribute to 1 humanities event at UF or in the community per academic year.

To apply: Applicants must submit a 150-200 word proposal statement (What are the humanities? Why do they matter in the world and to you? What is your personal interest in engaging with the humanities?) to this portal.

Social Impact & Sustainability Impact Scholars

Description: Are you interested in leveraging the power of business as a force for good? Would you like to learn how to sustainably solve social, environmental, and economic problems? Do you want to be a change-maker?

Undergraduate & Graduate students who complete the core course and engage in experiential learning consulting projects in the greater-Gainesville community are recognized as “SIS Impact Scholars,” to formalize and recognize their education and experience in social impact and sustainability, as leaders and changemakers. Students who study impact, practice impact, create impact, and share their impact stories will be awarded as UF SIS Impact Scholars. UF SIS Impact Scholars will receive a certificate for their achievement as well as graduation cords; they will also be recognized at the annual Celebration of Entrepreneurship Awards event.

Eligibility: Students who complete the Study Impact, Practice Impact, Create Impact, and Tell Your Story Impact below will be awarded as Social Impact & Sustainability (SIS) Impact Scholars.

To apply: Fill out the intent to complete form

Contact: Dr. Kristin Joys, socialimpact@warrington.ufl.edu

Toolkit for Green Careers

Description: The Career Connections Toolkit provides tools for job seekers interested in green careers to enter the green career economy with confidence. The toolkit guides prospective applicants through the early stages of a job search, starting with an exploration of sustainability professions and moving through applying for jobs and networking. It also includes an introduction to industry certifications.

To access: Fill out this form

UF Gulf Scholars Program

Description: UF Gulf Scholars, housed at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, prepares students from diverse academic backgrounds with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to address the complex and dynamic challenges facing Gulf of Mexico communities.

With a focus on civic engagement, public service, and leadership, students will explore the environmental, social, economic, historical, and cultural dimensions of the Gulf. Through their participation in the program, students will be better equipped to promote stewardship, resilience, and innovation as they step into the workforce and create meaningful change in their communities

Gulf Scholars will have the chance to take Gulf-focused coursework; participate in internships, research projects, field excursions, and more; network with professionals and peers from many academic backgrounds; and work with faculty mentors and community partners on Gulf Impact Projects.

To apply: Interested in learning more about UF Gulf Scholars? Fill out this form so you can be the first to hear about program opportunities.