Keep Tahoe Blue Internship Program

Interns learn alongside staff experts, explore real-world nonprofit work, and build skills that support the long-term protection of Lake Tahoe.

Program Overview
What Interns Do
What Interns Gain
2026 Intern Class
Apply
Contact

Program Overview

Program Overview
What Interns Do
What Interns Gain
2026 Intern Class
Apply
Contact

Developing emerging environmental leaders through hands-on, Lake-saving work.

Mission-driven work that preserves Lake Tahoe for future generations

A Keep Tahoe Blue internship is more than a seasonal role. Interns step into the work of protecting Lake Tahoe, learning from expert staff across the organization while supporting current projects that connect the Natural Resources, Policy, Sustainable Recreation, Communications, and Community Engagement departments.

The program is designed for current students, recent graduates, and emerging professionals interested in environmental protection, nonprofit work, public service, and Lake Tahoe’s future. Interns gain hands-on experience in the field, out in the community, and at Keep Tahoe Blue’s office while building skills they can carry into future careers.

How Interns Fit Into Keep Tahoe Blue’s Mission

Keep Tahoe Blue’s work is guided by our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan‘s four campaigns:

Climate Resilience
Sustainable Recreation, Transportation, & Development
Water Quality & Clarity
Conservation Across Borders

Interns see these campaigns in action through fieldwork, outreach, policy support, public education, events, communications, and community engagement. Their projects help connect big-picture goals to the day-to-day work it takes to protect Lake Tahoe.

What interns do?

Keep Tahoe Blue interns support hands-on, project-based work across the organization.

Community Engagement & Outreach

Support public events, tabling, presentations, aquatic Invasive species trainings, volunteer programs, and citizen science programs like Eyes on the Lake, Tahoe Blue Crew, and the Tahoe Blue Beach program.

Fieldwork & Program Support

Support Tahoe Blue Beach and aquatic invasive species prevention programs, collect field data, and assist with mapping for stewardship projects.

Communications & Marketing

Develop social media campaigns, email and content marketing, media outreach materials, web content, and multimedia projects while helping share Lake-saving work in a clear, brand-aligned voice.

Policy & Advocacy

Conduct policy research, prepare summaries, support advocacy campaigns, assist with public meeting materials, and learn how bi-state environmental policy connects to long-term protection for Lake Tahoe.

Volunteer Program Support

Assist with data tracking, volunteer engagement, Tahoe Blue Crew launches, training support, and distribution of Keep Tahoe Blue materials to community partners.

What do interns gain during their internship?

Hands-on learning in the office, out in the field, and across the Tahoe community.

Professional Skills

Interns build practical skills through real project work, including content creation, campaign support, community outreach, policy research, event logistics, fieldwork, and volunteer engagement. The work is hands-on, collaborative, and connected to active Lake-saving priorities.

Mentorship & Exposure

Interns learn alongside Keep Tahoe Blue staff experts while gaining exposure to the people, partners, and agencies involved in protecting Lake Tahoe. Staff guidance, field trips, workshops, and cross-department collaboration help interns understand how environmental work happens in practice.

Career Growth

Internships at Keep Tahoe Blue help turn classroom learning, early career interests, and existing skills into real-world experience. Interns leave with transferable skills, stronger confidence, and a clearer sense of how they can contribute to environmental protection, nonprofit work, and public service.

Meet the interns

Aven Keck | Sustainable Recreation Intern

Aven assisted with cleanup events, fieldwork research, and ArcGIS mapping for the Tahoe Blue Beach Program to turn sustainable recreation into practical stewardship.

Meet Aven

Anna Foehr | Engagement Intern

Anna supports citizen science programs and community engagement through initiatives such as Eyes on the Lake, as well as other volunteer and outreach events.

Meet Anna

Rose Barber-Callicrate, Policy Intern, Keep Tahoe Blue

Rose Barber | Policy Intern

Working alongside both California and Nevada state legislators, Rose has worked with the Policy Team to protect Lake Tahoe at the state and federal level.

Meet Rose

Payton Runkle | Communications Intern

Payton assisted the Communications team in content creation and development of branded content for multi-channel campaigns and driving media and PR coverage.

Meet Payton

Interested in a Keep Tahoe Blue Internship?

Internship opportunities are posted seasonally when positions are open. Review current openings, submit your application, and learn more about joining the team working to protect Lake Tahoe.

View Open Positions

Have Questions?

Internship opportunities are posted seasonally, but we’re happy to answer questions about the program, application process, or what it’s like to intern at Keep Tahoe Blue.

Contact our Volunteer and Intern Coordinator at internship@keeptahoeblue.org.