Spend the Summer with AFC!

Each summer, the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy recruits students to cultivate skills and make impactful contributions to urban conservation efforts in Los Angeles. Participants will gain experience in field work, restoration, data analysis, and gain a deeper understanding of the work that goes into pursuing AFC’s mission. We’re very grateful to partner with Occidental College’s Computational Biology Lab for our camera research programs. For more information contact Program Director, Auxenia Grace Privett-Mendoza, at [email protected].

College Internship: The summer 2024 application deadline is January 26, 2024.

High School Internship: The summer 2024 application deadline is April 19, 2024.

High School Training Program

AFC’s High School Training Program connects students (15+) interested in learning more about the environment to local conservation efforts. This two-week intensive program trains students in the basics of trail restoration and maintenance, research-focused field work, and basic data analysis. Participants will get acquainted with the Computational Biology Lab at Occidental College and learn from local experts. Applicants must be self-motivated, open-minded, and ready-to-learn individuals currently enrolled in or recently graduated from high school.

Participants can expect to gain knowledge and experience in the following areas:

  • Identifying common native & invasive plant species of Southern California
  • Habitat restoration and trail work
  • Local history
  • Conservation storytelling through social media
  • Camera-trapping
  • Data analysis

Program Details:

  • June 17-28
  • Roughly 8 hours a day with varying start times.

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College Internship Program

AFC’s College Summer Internship Program provides students pursuing degrees in biology, environmental science, or related fields, hands-on experience in an environmental nonprofit setting. In this 10-week program, interns work on projects that support AFC’s programming, such as land management and stewardship and wildlife research. These projects directly support AFC’s mission, providing valuable information to inform conservation actions. Students are given the opportunity to present this work at the end of the summer at a local conference and to AFC’s board and staff. Applicants must be currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student at an accredited college or university, or recently graduated within one (1) year. 

Interns can expect to gain knowledge and experience in the following areas:

  • Identifying common native & invasive plant species of Southern California
  • Ethnobotany and local history
  • Habitat restoration and trail work
  • Urban wildlife research
  • Urban wildlife corridors
  • Camera-trapping
  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Project management and teamwork
  • Community outreach and education

Program Details:

  • 10-week program running May 28-August 2
  • 40 hr/week
  • Stipend: $5000
  • Housing available.

AFC Intern Testimonials

“Being a part of AFC has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. Not only did it allow me to learn about the value in conserving our local ecosystem and habitat, but this internship has brought amazing people in my life from all ages and backgrounds… Super thankful for this hands-on experience and the new perspective I have on environmental science and conservation and how it has furthered my appreciation of the field that I am currently pursuing.”

Angela Cabico, UC Davis, Environmental Science and Management Major, Public Health Minor

“I had a fantastic time this summer learning more about the diverse ecosystem surrounding my community. I especially enjoyed hiking through the mountains and learning about the importance of native plants and animals while experiencing them in nature. I am inspired by AFC because I have learned the importance of conserving our natural spaces and wildlife corridors.”

Rachel-Ann Arias, Crescenta Valley High School

“My favorite parts of the internship were…identifying and removing invasive species, identifying and learning about native plants, learning about the unique environment of Southern California, learning how the history of Pasadena shaped its mountains and the flora and fauna that inhabit it, hiking, community outreach, field trips, networking, and wildlife camera maintenance. This spectacular nonprofit created an engaging, hands on, and impactful internship that I highly recommend to anyone looking to understand more about the environment that surrounds them and wants to make a positive difference.”

Danielle Fradet, UC Davis, Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology Major

“It felt surreal to be able to pass on my knowledge and teach young kids about what I learned in my AP Environmental Science class and built on during this internship. I also grew to be a leader to the other interns through my motivation to learn and finish tasks quickly. Working with my hands outside every morning made me understand the importance of being in nature and seeing your work through. Even with the hot sun beating down on you with dirt flying in your face, it taught me another level of grit and perseverance that can only be found when you put your heart into something.”

Mia Valencia-Chanler, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy

After joining the interns for an outing at Millard Canyon, AFC’s biology Advisor Mickey Long remarked, “I’m very impressed with the quality of your interns. They’re going to save the world.” I couldn’t agree more. I’m so proud of what our interns accomplished this summer, and I’m looking forward to continuing this program in the future. Our interns accomplish much more than the hands-on work that they do. They also become ambassadors for AFC, and for our mission of nature conservation.

Tim Martinez, AFC Program Administrator

I think the exposure to being outdoors, showing that it’s awesome to be curious about the plants and animals and having that knowledge, as well as the history, is really important. I think the ethnobotany and that fact that this is Native knowledge is really important because [due to] to racism/prejudice and the lack of course work in school, people go outside blindly and this lack exposure prevents people from realizing the importance of the environment and nature. I’ll definitely be letting others know about this internship…and will try to keep in touch and continue going to AFC events when the opportunities arise.”

Kevin Herrera, Cal Poly Pomona, Environmental Biology

Through the internship [with AFC], I gained a newfound respect and appreciation for the conservation efforts being done by the numerous nature conservancies around the world… I learned the importance of doing small tasks to incite big changes. I always thought of… tasks such as policy making or researching greener materials to be the way to go about changing the world towards environmentalism. However, through doing manual tasks such as pulling out invasive plants, I saw how much I could change with just a handsaw, garden shears, and a few other helping hands. As I continue on my path through school, this is something that I will definitely keep in mind. Thank you AFC!!

Akaneh Wang, Princeton University

The day I left AFC [John] sent me an email to keep my sights on what I was passionate about… I stayed true to myself and my passions and I’m proud to say I’m now working for the Department of Water Resources as a Junior Engineering Technician on my way to becoming a water resources technician… I’m using my skills and knowledge I learned with AFC as I work here. We all know water is a precious resource for all living things and ecosystems and I now get to work on a state level to ensure we have good quality water for all in Southern California.

Thank you again John and AFC for inspiring me and giving me the tools I needed to start a career in the environmental studies…

Andrew Pham, Cal State LA