last updated Jan 20, 2026
Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Summer Research and Stewardship Interns
Great Hollow offers paid summer internships to undergraduate or graduate students who are majoring in the natural sciences and have a strong academic record and an interest in field biology. Interns work under Great Hollow’s scientists to assist with summer research projects, during which they gain experience in study design and a variety of field methods. Interns also help with miscellaneous office duties, community events, animal care, and facility and trail maintenance, and otherwise contribute to the general day-to-day operation of Great Hollow. Internships are typically 8 weeks long, beginning around June 1. They include a stipend of $450/week as well as shared, on-site housing for those who do not live locally.
Great Hollow is currently accepting applications for two internship positions for the summer of 2026. To be able to assist with this summer’s projects, applicants must have a strong ability to identify northeastern forest birds by sight and sound (ability to identify forest vegetation and experience collecting invertebrates are a plus, but not necessary). The interns will mainly assist with the second year of a study investigating the responses of birds, bats, arthropods, and vegetation to forest thinning intended to enhance habitat for the New England cottontail. The interns will be primarily responsible for conducting fixed-radius point-counts of birds in treatment and reference plots at Housatonic State Forest, about an hour’s drive from Great Hollow (vehicle provided). As such, applicants must be skilled at independently identifying birds by sight and sound (experience solely from a college ornithology course is insufficient). As part of this project, the interns will also be responsible for processing sound files from acoustic bat recorders (training provided) and surveying vegetation and arthropods. Interns will also process sound files from bat recorders deployed at Great Hollow for a study of the impacts of light pollution on bats.
Outside of the field research activities, the interns will help with invasive plant removal, trail maintenance, pollinator garden maintenance (weeding, mostly) miscellaneous office duties, facility maintenance and cleaning, care of our non-releasable birds of prey, and occasional outreach events, to contribute to the general day-to-day operation of Great Hollow.
Internships begin around June 1 and last approximately 8 weeks (start and end dates slightly flexible). Interns receive a weekly stipend of $450 and free on-site, shared housing.
Minimum Qualifications
-Completion of at least 2 full years of a 4-year university program, majoring in natural resources, conservation biology, ecology, wildlife management, or a similar field.
-Strong ability to identify northeastern U.S. forest birds by sight and sound. Experience gained solely from the lab section of a college course is insufficient. Applicants must demonstrate other sources of experience (e.g., prior field positions, atlasing efforts, volunteer work, extensive birding as a hobby, etc.). Specific experience with point-count survey methods is a big plus. Experience with vegetation surveys and/or arthropod sampling (beat-sheeting) is also a big plus but not required.
-Ability to enjoy working outdoors for several hours, sometimes under uncomfortable (e.g., hot, buggy) conditions.
-Ability to wake up very early in the morning (4:30 am) to do point-counts
-Ability to hike on rugged terrain for long periods.
-English fluency and ability to verbally communicate effectively.
-Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
-Ability to live in shared, drug-free and smoke-free housing with respect for others.
-Proof of existing health insurance coverage (not provided with internship).
-U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S.
The deadline to apply is March 1, 2026. To apply, please assemble a single PDF containing (1) a cover letter that includes a clear description of your relevant experience with Northeastern forest bird ID; (2) a resume or CV; and (3) contact info and your relationship to at least two professional references, and email the PDF to Great Hollow’s executive director Chad Seewagen (). Please label the PDF as “Last name_first name” and put “Last name_2026 Internship Application” in the subject line of your email. Applications that fail to follow these basic instructions may be disqualified.
Past Research and Stewardship Interns
2025
Eliza Wein, Cornell University
2024
Dinah Cohen, University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Shelby Shartzer, Sterling College (Vermont)
2023
Zachary Nichols, Western Connecticut State University
2022
Julia Nadeau-Gneckow, University of Central Florida
2021
Joan Tremblay, University of Connecticut
Max Kirsch, Cornell University
2019
Heidi Faulkner, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Hannah Miller, SUNY New Paltz
2018
Evalyn Machia, University of Maine
Clare Quinlan, Miami University of Ohio
Nick Russo, University of Connecticut
Andrew Rapp, College of William & Mary
2017
Nate Diamond, Cornell University