Newton County Student Conservation Internship Pilot Program

One of the greatest treasures in Newton County is its natural resources. Abundant wildlife, diverse nature conservation areas, and rich agricultural conditions make the area an attractive place to live, work, and spend free time. The other greatest treasure in Newton County is its people—hardworking, caring, and committed to the place they call home. A pilot internship program for high school students in Newton County brings these two assets together and multiplies their value, creating a pathway to a more prosperous community now and in the future.

Following months of thoughtful planning, the Newton County Student Conservation Internship Pilot Program was launched in March 2023. The program offers juniors and seniors from North Newton and South Newton High Schools the opportunity to learn and gain work experience in the field of natural resources. Student Conservation Interns (SCIs) spend a summer or school-year term working a variety of jobs with partner agencies, including the Newton County Soil and Water Conservation District, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and The Nature Conservancy.

SCIs work independently and collaboratively on projects in conservation agriculture, wildlife management, habitat restoration, eco-journalism, and marketing. They learn from professionals in their fields of work and have the chance to observe numerous career paths up close, including careers with local opportunities. SCIs also complete Purdue Extension Leadership Training and are coached on career development skills like resume creation, interviewing, and networking. The internship allows SCIs to earn credits toward their Core 40 Diploma and Work Based Learning requirements and also earn a stipend for their work.

The internship program benefits both the SCIs and the greater Newton County community in key ways. The program serves to introduce students to careers in natural resources and conservation, which also contributes to developing a stable local workforce for those industries as well as for businesses and organizations throughout Newton County. Students who participate in the internship program gain skills and experience toward making them quality employees no matter what job they hold. In this way, the Newton County Student Conservation Internship Program is an investment in the current and future prosperity of the Newton County community.

The internship program is the first of its kind in the area, and no other program in the state of Indiana is quite like it. Following the initial three-year pilot phase (2023–2026), program organizers expect to expand the program into the private sector and develop ongoing partnerships to ensure the program’s financial sustainability. The group plans to share the success of the program with other counties and organizations in Indiana so other students can have similar growth and learning opportunities.

In addition to the partner agencies working directly with the SCIs, several other partner organizations have provided support and funding, including Newton County Economic Development Commission, Newton County government, South Newton High School, North Newton High School, and AcesPLUS. Without the efforts of individuals within these organizations, this exciting pilot program would not be possible.

The Jasper Newton Foundation is proud to be a financial partner in the Newton County Student Conservation Internship Pilot Program. The project’s goals address several Driving Home objectives across three lanes:

Family – Kids & Families

Work – Prosperous Community

Life – Vibrant Community

Perhaps nothing speaks to the success of the program better than the words of the Student Conservation Interns themselves. In the stories below, hear all about their experiences and the skills, knowledge, and insights they gained along the way