Internship Opportunity for Estuarine Resiliency Pilot Study
The Long Island Sound (LIS) Estuarine Resiliency Project
Application Deadline: February 20th, 2026
Project Dates: March 1st, 2026 – December 31st, 2026
Compensation: $20 per hour, paid monthly, with a total requirement of 550 hours over the project period.
Location: Old Lyme, Connecticut
Project Description & Duties:
Coastal resilience projects are designed to help strengthen and repair ecosystems that have been exposed to hazardous, degrading events. These areas often face:
- Extreme weather events
- Flooding and rising waters
- Accelerated shoreline erosion
- Loss of critical habitats
- Decline of native species
- Spread of invasive species
Estuaries, where rivers meet the ocean, are especially dynamic and vital coastal areas that support diverse habitats and communities. They are vulnerable to habitat loss, coastal erosion, and declining water quality. The LIS Estuarine Resiliency Project aims to address these challenges through the installation of reef balls and kelp mats, along with the restoration of eelgrass to strengthen habitats and protect shorelines.
This hands-on coastal resiliency initiative at Griswold Point in Old Lyme, Connecticut provides interns with fieldwork, data analysis, and community outreach experience. Interns will contribute to the construction, implementation, and assessment of living shoreline elements designed to strengthen this local habitat. They will also work directly with community members and stakeholders to educate and improve knowledge of valuable estuarine ecosystems, restoration practices, and strategies for coastal resiliency.
Duties will consist of:
- Reef ball and kelp mat construction
- Assisting with project research & management
- Fieldwork support
- Water quality and sediment data collection
- Data compilation and analysis
- Community outreach support & organization
- Photo and video documentation
Applicants should be comfortable around water and prepared to work outdoors in varied weather conditions. They should also be able to navigate uneven and sandy terrains, as well as lift 50 pounds.
Time Commitment:
Interns must be available throughout the entire period of the project: March 1st, 2026 – December 31st, 2026. Weekly hours may vary with individual duties and availability. Interns will attend a training session alongside volunteers and provide weekly availability ahead of project start. May through November will be when the most hours are logged and completed.
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Able to commit to the majority of the project period
- Must have an interest in coastal resiliency and restoration – no prior experience needed
- Able to work in demanding conditions – heat, rain, navigating uneven terrain, working in the water, lifting heavy materials
- Provide own transportation to and from both The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (RTPEC) in Old Lyme, CT and the site location
- Eager to learn and able to thrive in a collaborative, team-focused environment
- Flexible, patient, and able to follow instructions
Application Details:
If you are interested in applying for an internship position, please send a brief statement of interest (< 250 words), along with a letter of recommendation and confirmation of your availability for the project duration. Emails should be sent to csc@ctaudubon.org with the subject “Coastal Resiliency Internship Application.” Applicants will be contacted to organize a time for an interview and learn more about the project.
Feel free to contact Emily Watling, Conservation Science Coordinator, at csc@ctaudubon.org or (860) 598-4218 with questions or to express interest.
