GRASSROOTS
CONSERVATION
Grassroots Conservation is a program designed to foster and promote equitable opportunities for underserved communities to engage in conservation. We support young and beginning conservationists with paid opportunities that provide funding, logistical support, and professional guidance for community-led projects focusing on biodiversity, human-wildlife conflicts, nature-based solutions, and riparian health. Our program promotes workforce development in the field of conservation using methods rooted in each participant’s lived experiences and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as well as methods utilized by Western Science. We seek to provide opportunities where participants feel their background, culture, and life experience are valued as much as conventional professional experiences and education.
PROGRAMS
Conservation Fellowships
What? Our Conservation Fellowships offer a compensated opportunity for people with a desire to pursue a career in conservation who may otherwise lack the means to gain the needed experience. Location, financial strain, family responsibilities, physical disabilities, mental health, and discrimination are unfortunate barriers many people face when pursuing a career in conservation. Our aim with our fellowship program is to provide valuable experience, professional hands-on training, and the opportunity to develop and implement a conservation project based around the participant’s interests and community needs— all within in a “non-conventional” working environment that understands that some participants may need more flexibility and accommodations based on their individual needs.
Who? Fellowship programs are for students currently pursuing an advanced degree related to conservation or natural resources OR have 3-5 years of lived experience related to conservation and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Fellowships typically last 3-6 months and participants will be provided a stipend throughout the duration of the program. Though we typically work in Tribal communities, our team is happy to consider anyone who meets the listed criteria and has faced challenges pursuing a conservation career because of their socio-economic status, race, disability, or any other challenge. If you do NOT meet any of the criteria above but still feel you may be a good fit for our program, please send us a message and we’ll set up a time to chat!
Conservation Internships
What? Our Conservation Internships offer compensated opportunities for young people to get involved in conservation and learn if the field is something they wish to pursue further. Projects are pre-determined based off of funding and existing programs, however participants will be encouraged to take part in areas that most align with their interests.
Who? Internship programs are designed for people with no experience in conservation, but with a passion for nature, wildlife, and the environment. Like our Fellowship Program, we encourage people to apply who may otherwise lack the opportunity to take part in conservation and wish to gain work experience for job applications.
Where? Our work is based out of Western South Dakota. Because of this, most of our resources are focused on the communities in and around Rapid City, the Black Hills, and the Pine Ridge Reservation. However, applicants located in other area, such as Cheyenne River, Rosebud, or the Pierre area, will also be considered. Unfortunately, we do not have the means to provide housing or daily transportation (occasional transportation is OK) for participants but it is our sincere hope that this will change in the future.
When? This program is currently in development, so we thank you for your patience! If you have interest in participating and wish to be one of the first considered, please give us a call or send us a message!
Conservation Community Support
Under construction!
Where? Our work is based out of Western South Dakota. Because of this, most of our resources are focused on the communities in and around Rapid City, the Black Hills, and the Pine Ridge Reservation. However, applicants located in other area, such as Cheyenne River, Rosebud, or the Pierre area, will also be considered. Unfortunately, we do not have the means to provide housing or daily transportation (occasional transportation is OK) for participants but it is our sincere hope that this will change in the future.
When? This program is currently in development, so we thank you for your patience! If you have interest in participating and wish to be one of the first considered, please give us a call or send us a message!