"Going to the mountains is going home." John Muir

Upper Bear River Canyon, Amador County

Volunteer and Internship Opportunities

Since 1993 the Sierra Nevada Alliance has been protecting and restoring Sierra lands, water, wildlife and communities. Our mission is to protect and restore the natural resources of the Sierra Nevada for future generations while promoting sustainable communities. We are an alliance of conservation groups that are based or work in the Sierra Nevada region. There are over sixty member groups that span the entire 400-mile mountain range. The Sierra Nevada Alliance headquarters is located at 2489 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Suite 5. Interns work side-by-side with our dedicated staff to learn about the conservation issues affecting John Muir’s famed ‘Range of Light,’ while gaining valuable work experience in the non-profit sector. Development/Marketing Internship Internship opportunities include: Membership Outreach: Create communication pieces to donors to increase knowledge of Alliance programs and accomplishments through Direct Mail, Email, invitations, special events or brochures. Event Marketing: Organize and promote fundraising and educational events, including House Parties, Major Donor events and Annual Auction. Target Market Research: Plan a campaign for greater collaboration and opportunities with businesses and companies. General Support: Assist the Development Director in other general duties such as making phone calls, database organization, representing the Sierra Nevada Alliance at meetings or community events, and other office duties. Intern(s) may work on one or more of the aforementioned activities depending on experience and interest. Intern will work out of the Alliance headquarters in South Lake Tahoe. 5-10 hours per week minimum, flexible hours. Please call Kay Ogden, Development Director for more information. 530. 542. 4546 or email kay@sierranevadaalliance.org Water & Climate Change Policy Intership * Office site in Coloma, CA Protects Sierra waters and natural resources through offering resources and guidance to conservation leaders for participating in local and statewide planning that adapts to climate change in the Sierra Nevada. Water and Climate Change Policy: Track Sierra related state legislation, write legislative updates, and help organize lobby days. Mobilize Sierra conservation groups to shape the California Water Plan to demonstrate the unique challenges and solutions in the Sierra Nevada. Liaison with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy: Help get the word out on opportunities with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. Help jump start the Sierra Nevada Conservancy License Plate Campaign by organizing pledges and supporting marketing efforts. Water Efficiency in the Sierra: Help mobilize and coordinate conservation groups to participate in developing canal water efficiency practices that take into account critical habitat. Restore rivers through hydropower relicensing: Work with the Foothills Water Network to coordinate conservation groups in the Yuba, Bear, and American watersheds to re-operate hydropower facilities to improve river health and recreational benefits. Help present the impacts of hydropower on the three watersheds in a visual manner through maps, photographs, and presentations. Intern(s) may work on one or more the aforementioned activities depending on experience and interest. The intern for this program will work with the Sierra Nevada Alliance staff person based in Coloma on the South Fork of the American River. This may mean the intern would do some telecommuting from home with in-person meetings and events in Coloma, Auburn, Nevada City, and Sacramento. 5-10 hours per week minimum, flexible hours. Watersheds Program Internship(s) The Watershed Program works to ensure that Sierra watersheds have active, informed efforts to restore and protect their rivers, lakes and streams thereby protecting critical habitats and restoring watershed health. This program works to build the organizational capacity and technical abilities of watershed efforts. Love Your Rivers, Lakes and Streams: Help get the word out on how more people can get involved in restoring and protecting their local watersheds. Attend Earth day and other boothing events and assist in making presentations to local communities. Sierra Watershed Currents: Create a monthly electronic newsletter that will be disseminated to Watershed Councils, Agency staff, conservation efforts and other key stakeholders in the Sierra. Gather information on watershed specific grants, events, resources, and news articles that are relevant to the Sierra Nevada. Sierra bioregion invasive species guide: Help research and develop a guide to invasive plant and animal species affecting the range. Sierra bioregion riparian plant guide: Help research and develop a guide to the common riparian plants in different Sierra bioregions. General Support: Assist the Watershed Coordinator in other aspects such as event and meeting organizing, representing the Sierra Nevada Alliance at meetings, making phone calls and other office duties. Intern(s) may work on one or more the aforementioned activities depending on experience and interest. Intern will work out of the Alliance headquarters in South Lake Tahoe. 5-10 hours per week minimum, flexible hours. Planning for the Future Program Internship(s) The Planning for the Future program works to ensure that long-term development plans in the Sierra adequately protect the areas’ last wildlands, natural resources, and rural communities in the face of population growth and climate change. Internship opportunities include: Land Use Research: Research and track development plans, proposals and land use legislation; Communication: Assist with developing communication materials such as fact sheets, action alerts, reports, letters to the editor and monthly e-newsletter. General Support: Assist the Land Use Coordinator in other general duties such as organizing meetings and events, making phone calls, representing the Sierra Nevada Alliance at meetings or community events, and other office duties. Intern(s) may work on one or more the aforementioned activities depending on experience and interest. Intern will work out of the Alliance headquarters in South Lake Tahoe. 5-10 hours per week minimum, flexible hours. Conservation Internship(s) –general organizational work Sierra Research Intern: Research issues for upcoming reports such as climate change impacts, water pollution in the Sierra, and water policies. Interns work out of the Alliance headquarters in South Lake Tahoe. Sierra Policy Intern: Track Sierra related state legislation, write legislative updates, and help organize lobby days. Review requests for comments on Environmental Impact Statements, Timber Harvest Plans, and other policy proposals. Draft responses to inform government agencies and be a voice for a healthy Sierra environment. Location negotiable. Sierra News Clipper: The Alliance issues a weekly update of articles, events and other announcements related to Sierra conservation. Read your local paper and email to the Alliance any conservation stories relevant to conservation efforts in the Sierra. Intern(s) may work on one or more the aforementioned activities depending on experience and interest. Intern will work out of the Alliance headquarters in South Lake Tahoe. 5-10 hours per week minimum, flexible hours. To Apply: To apply for any of our internships, please call 530.542.4546. Internship Program Sierra Nevada Alliance PO Box 7989 South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150