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Youth Conservation Internships

Working with Nature for a Bright Future

Offered in partnership with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, our 8-week Youth Conservation Internship program links Portsmouth high school students with mentors in river-friendly horticulture, sustainable landscape design and more. Along the way, they earn a certification as a Chesapeake Bay Landscaping Professional Associate and develop a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. The program is held at Paradise Creek Nature Park.
Learn More
Also, check out our Blue Green Career Guide to explore resources for college preparation and career readiness in the Elizabeth River watershed region!
Blue Green Career Guide
8
week
program
12
professional certifications
earned since 2020
21
Participants
Since 2019

What Youth Conservation Interns Learn

Teambuilding

Interns work in teams to learn about the river and its surrounding environment. Each intern develops skills to lead volunteers, including military, students and the community.

Life Skills

Mentors offer insightful lectures, conversations and hands-on learning opportunities to keep interns learning and engaged.

Appreciation for Nature

Each Intern learns first-hand about biodiversity, conservation, the impact humans have on the river, and how everyone can become an agent of positive change.

Job Skills

Interns gain valuable job skills through hands-on learning in horticulture, landscape design, landscape maintenance and outdoor leadership education.

Certified Fun

Youth Conservation Interns become certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Associates by completing this entry-level certificate course that introduces students to green infrastructure and training on sustainable landscaping practices that help restore the Chesapeake Bay and our cherished waterways.

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Ryan Resilience Lab Event Request

Thank you for your interest in the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab. We’re delighted that our site is in high demand. As the Ryan Resilience Lab is operated by a small non-profit with a big environmental mission, please help us make sure your event is a great fit.

Our priority is to host groups with relevance to our mission: to restore the Elizabeth River through equitable collaboration with diverse communities, governments, and businesses. When space and staff support are available, we are happy to host such groups free of charge, but do request that you consider an organizational membership and allow us to offer the opportunity for individual memberships.

Please fill this form out at least 30 days in advance of the event.

Our maximum for indoor seated events is 85 theater style and 45 classroom style. For standing receptions, the maximum is 100 indoors or 125 indoor-outdoor.
(restoring the Elizabeth River through equitable collaboration) and Ryan Resilience Lab (environmental resilience to sea level rise)
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Start Time(Required)
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End Time(Required)
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Set Up Time
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Take Down Time
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Set Up Preferences(Required)
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Audio/Visual Needs(Required)
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If given the go-ahead for our event, sponsor organization agrees to these Ryan Lab policies:

Yes, we will offer attendees the option to tour the Ryan Lab(Required)
Yes, Elizabeth River Project can make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding mission and ways to get involved(Required)
Yes, we will join the Elizabeth River Project as a dues-paying organization at a level commensurate with our size and the nature of our operations.
Please see member benefits for further information: https://elizabethriver.org/donor-circles/
Yes, we agree to sustainable/responsible event practices(Required)
Yes, we will adhere to start and end times (15-minute leeway) and will leave the room as clean as possible.(Required)

Additionally, sponsor organization agrees to these administrative/liability requirements:

  • ERP maintains insurance for its activities at the Ryan Lab. Sponsoring organizations should ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage as well.
  • Weapons are prohibited.
  • Open flames generally are prohibited (special permission only).
  • Outdoor guests will be required to exit the Learning Park during thunder, lightning, high winds or any circumstance deemed hazardous by ERP.
  • Waiver of Claims: Sponsoring organizations agree to release, waive all claims, discharge, and covenant not to sue Elizabeth River Project, its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents from liability from any and all claims resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in the event and related tours, due to the negligence of sponsor, sponsor's employees, or event participants.
  • Notice of Claims: Sponsor agrees to provide immediate notice to ERP if any participant either files, or threatens to file, a claim arising from or related to the event, so that ERP can notify its insurance carriers.
  • COVID Statement: Participants will monitor their own health prior to reporting to any Elizabeth River Project event/activity. If any signs or symptoms of infection are present, the individual must not report to the event.
  • Photo Release: Photos of the event may be shared as part of grant reporting or posted on Elizabeth River Project website/social media unless otherwise specified by the sponsor organization.
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Youth Water Monitoring Results

Entry Data

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Time(Required)
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Sample Data

Bacteria

Observations

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