Traditional Ecological Knowledge Internship Opportunity

Starts January 5, 2026

The Native American nonprofit, Elderberry Wisdom Farm, is recruiting Native American and other interns of color pursuing conservation career pathways for our TEK Workforce Development Internship in 2026 in partnership with Oregon Department of Forestry: Urban and Community Forestry Program, City of Salem Urban Forestry, Friends of Trees and three local Salem high schools.

Interns will learn to integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge and climate adaptation practices into conservation partners’ habitat restoration activities, including urban forestry, native plant nursery, organic farming and micro-enterprise development. Culturally tailored classroom education, experiential service-learning activities and mentoring support will strengthen conservation workforce readiness as interns cultivate, maintain and plant native tree, shrub and pollinator ground cover species at our Native American Plant Nursery in Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley.

Applications will be accepted through December 31, 2025 for this paid internship opportunity. Classes will be held three days a week with a stipend ($1,500 month) provided. Candidates must live near training and work sites in or near Salem or be willing to move to the surrounding area to participate.

If you are interested in applying or have questions, feel free to contact us for more information. More information about the opportunity is available in our monthly newsletters and at our website www.elderberrywisdom.org. You can also send your resume and letter of interest to us by email at accounts@elderberrywisdom.org and request an interview.