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At Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, we are proud of our intern program and proud of our interns. We want you to know about internships at Aullwood because you may be the perfect candidate. Read on!

Aullwood is an Audubon Center operated by the National Audubon Society. We are ten miles north of Dayton, Ohio along the side of an outsized river valley that holds the Stillwater River . Our 350 acres of natural areas and organic farm provide outstanding learning opportunities in a diverse and beautiful setting. The land starts atop flat farmland and leads down through woods , prairie and field to the level of the river. Internships have been a part of our program for over thirty years.

An Aullwood internship is a full time responsibility that lasts anywhere from 12 weeks in summer to a year if multiple sessions are combined . Duties primarily take place on weekdays but also on some weekends and evenings. Because we are a small operation (17 employees), interns become involved in all aspects of our work.

A good part of most internships is spent in teaching and in animal care (at the nature center and the farm). All interns work with the public in program presentation, with animal care at the Nature Center and Farm, as well as with store operations, and maintenance. Our internships are designed to be interdisciplinary while allowing concentration in special areas .

Interns receive a small stipend, housing, and professional training and experience. Field study and visits to other similar institutions help interns build a base of knowledge. In addition, working with the staff allows interns to learn professional skills and our organization's process.
 

Interns work under the guidance of a full time staff member for whom a major responsibility is intern selection and supervision. In addition, interns team up with full time staff members who work in that intern's area of interest. The entire staff is available to interns for special interest sessions, guidance, and assistance as well.

We have found that the most successful interns have finished their sophomore year of college. All interns must be high school graduates. Academic and practical background in the area of the internship is preferred. Interns must be US citizens.

Up to five interns during each session are provided furnished housing on the Aullwood property near other staff families. A $175 per week stipend is provided to each intern.

Naturalist - The naturalist internship allows for regular contact with visitors especially through teaching youth and school groups. It also provides involvement with the development of educational programs and the preparation of teaching materials. Natural history training is a regular part of this program. naturalist interns are also involved in all other aspects of our operation. This has been the internship program since the mid-60s. It is a well developed program.

Organic Agriculture - The position offers a thorough immersion into small scale livestock and specialty crop farming.  The intern is trained in practical skills such as animal husbandry, gardening, farm machine operation, marketing and teaching.  We have year-round seasonal classes and events that celebrate the wildlife and domestic animals that make up our farm.


Administrative Assistant - This internship allows more involvement with activities such as fiscal planning, networking with other parts of the Audubon family, tracking new and existing projects. Participation in meetings, board of directors activities, and special events are valuable components. Teaching responsibilities occur weekly. This is a new program; call and talk about it with us. It will develop with the help of the first participants.

Museum Store Operation - Our store is regarded as one of the important education arms of our center. This internship allows participation in the daily operation of the store, contacts with suppliers, and a familiarization with the broad literature resources for teachers and naturalists which we provide. Participation in teaching programs is part of the work but teaching is not a large part. This is a new program; call and talk about it with us. It will develop with the help of the first participants.

Maintenance - There are many special problems associated with managing 350 acres of sanctuary and organic farm as well as the maintenance of twenty on-site buildings and a dozen vehicles and other equipment. We work hard to stay in touch with the most environmentally sensitive solutions. Our maintenance staff works in close coordination with the naturalist staff in protecting and enhancing our living and built environment. This is a new program; call and talk about it with us. It will develop with the help of the first participants. Teaching is an optional part of this internship as well.

A Special Note About Summer and Fall Internships
    In summer, internships are noticeably different.  We present eight weeks of summer classes in which interns play a big role.  These Earth Adventures classes of five to twelve youngsters last two hours a day for a week.  Naturalist interns are very much a part of Summer Earth Adventures.
    In summer and fall the farm is more dependent on interns from all concentrations areas.  The ancient process of putting up hay is an important task which may start in June and end in September.  When the weather is hot and dry it is time to "make hay".  Summer and fall interns usually load the forty to sixty pound bales onto the wagon and then into the hay mow.  This is hard but important work for the farm.  The organic garden is part of the summer/fall routine as well with watering, planting, weeding and harvesting all taking time and giving rewards.

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