Maryland Restoration Intern

Description

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks 2 Maryland Restoration Interns in the Advocacy and Restoration Department to be based at CBF’s Clagett Farm and other sites across Maryland. 

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION

Established in 1966, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to saving the Chesapeake Bay, its rivers and streams, and the wildlife that call it home through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration. Since 2010, CBF has engaged in a focused effort to defend and implement the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, a binding federal and state collaborative agreement aimed at reducing pollution to the science-based, legally-affirmed levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Blueprint is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. If the states and the federal government achieve Blueprint goals, the Bay will finally—after decades of failed efforts—be removed from the Clean Water Act’s impaired waters list. Successfully implementing the Blueprint depends on a well-informed, engaged, active, and diverse constituency of members, advocates, and volunteers who speak up and take action to save the Bay.

CBF has a staff of approximately 230 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. as well as 14 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water policies, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary. 

CBF's headquarters office in Annapolis, Maryland is the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, the world’s first U.S. Green Build Council’s LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center—one of the world’s most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings—in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

CBF has an annual budget of approximately $30 million and is supported by over 200,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Advocacy and Restoration

CBF’s Advocacy and Restoration department defends and restores the Chesapeake Bay by protecting the Bay’s natural resources from pollution and other harmful activities by fighting for strong and effective laws and regulations; restoring the Bay’s essential habitats and filtering mechanisms; and involving citizens in CBF’s environmental efforts by recruiting, training, and incorporating them as effective partners and leaders.

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION 

The Maryland Restoration Intern will assist the Land Stewardship Coordinator on outreach, restoration, and service-learning events CBF will be hosting in the Spring of 2026.  Spending part of their time at sites across Maryland, and part at CBF’s Clagett Farm, the Restoration Intern will gain exposure to both hands-on restoration practices and regenerative agriculture while working alongside CBF staff to install conservation practices while engaging diverse constituents and stakeholders across the state.

Requirements

Assisting with the Farm Stewardship Program at agricultural, wetland, and riparian restoration events by: 

• Loading and transporting trees from CBF’s Clagett Farm Tree Nursery (in Upper Marlboro, MD) to the restoration sites using a truck 
• Loading and transporting equipment to the sites
• Assist volunteers on event days (signing in, demonstrating planting and use of equipment)  Assist in maintaining tree nursery stock (weeding, watering, and organizing) 
• Assist with small group volunteer events and workdays at CBF’s Clagett Farm
• Help recruit a diverse contingent of volunteers for restoration events
• Re-staking or removing/placing shelters on trees at previous planting sites 
• Assist with outreach on regenerative agriculture at farm events

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Successful candidates should have a strong background and interest in environmental science, agriculture, or related field; with a desire to pursue restoration and/or outreach work as a future career. Candidates MUST possess a driver’s license and be willing to drive CBF vehicles such as a pickup truck and van. A combination of hands-on outdoor experience and education background is a plus. Candidate MUST be available at least three days a week, all day and on some weekends. The assistant must be comfortable lifting at least 40lbs.  In addition, candidates should be familiar with environmental issues and problems facing the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and be able to work with the general public and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.

Salary Range: $16 an hour

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on CBF website no later than February 16, 2026.