Sky Island Alliance works to protect the diversity of life and lands for all who live in the Sky Island region of Arizona and Sonora. Yet the environmental changes the area faces are intensifying with climate change — and it’ll take a creative and collaborative next generation of conservation professionals to protect the Sky Islands well into the future. To that end, we are committed to helping build a community of conservationists that works across boundaries and that reflects the diversity of experiences, values, and cultural backgrounds of the people living here.
Our Path of the Jaguar Internship program brings together undergraduate students from various tribes, Mexico, and the United States to kickstart their careers in conservation. In the past, for instance, we’ve recruited students from Tohono O’odham Community College, University of Arizona, Universidad de la Sierra, and Universidad de Sonora. We’ve also worked with students from various states who are part of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program.
With mentorship from past interns, SIA staff, and other partners, each intern experiences how wildlife and water science helps protect the Path of the Jaguar — the landscape and community where jaguars once roamed freely between Sonora and Arizona, and can again. Our interns share their own cultures and perceptions of the borderlands with one another, gain firsthand experience setting wildlife cameras and surveying springs, camp, and build community connections that’ll support them as they forge new career paths. More than 50 students have graduated from our internship program so far. And we look forward to giving more students paid opportunities to learn conservation practices alongside our staff.
How to Apply
Unfortunately, we’re currently full on internship positions this season. But if you’d like to be considered for a future internship, please send a letter of interest to siainfo@skyislandalliance.org and we’ll follow up about the possibility and next steps.