Current Opportunities
Outreach Intern - Ely
Join the Save the Boundary Waters team as an intern this summer!
Position: Outreach Intern
Location: Ely, Minnesota– housing is available through the local college at no cost to the intern from May-August.
Dates: May-August, with the possibility to extend through October. Dates are flexible based on availability.
Supervised By: Gillian Fitzgerald, Northern Regional Organizer
Pay: $17/hr, 30-40 hours per week
** This position is contract employment, and not eligible for benefits. You will be paid at the end of each month, and issued a Form 1099-NEC for tax purposes at the end of your employment **
Background:
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), the largest Wilderness area east of the Rockies and north of the Everglades, is America’s most-visited Wilderness, uniquely accessible and beloved for recreation. It is the sixth most critical region in the lower 48 to protect for climate resiliency. A major threat looms: proposed copper mining in the headwaters, where pollution would flow downstream into and through the heart of the Wilderness, with cascading effects across the ecosystem.
Save the Boundary Waters, founded and led by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness
based in Ely MN, is a national coalition of 400+ businesses, conservation, and hunting & angling
organizations, camps and access programs united to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park from the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining proposed
in the headwaters of these treasures.
Activities and Tasks:
This position’s focus is helping with organizing events, presentations, organizing volunteers, and other outreach opportunities in the Ely area.
- Educate and activate the public and our supporters around our efforts to protect the BWCA from sulfide-ore copper mining.
- Assist in organizing logistics and staffing events like the Ely 4th of July Parade, Garden Party, camp and outfitter presentations, pontoon tours, tabling events, and more.
- Engage with a number of constituencies: local officials, students, businesses and the public at large. Brainstorm and develop new creative ideas to reach new supporters.
- Record and update data entries of grassroots actions, such as list sign-ons and donors.
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Attend meetings and present/update others on the efforts of our work.
Desired Skills or Qualities:
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced and changing environment.
- Leadership experience, problem-solving abilities, excellent written and verbal skills, strong work-ethic, eagerness to learn, positive attitude.
- College degree or status as an enrolled student, or relevant experience in environmental issues, community organizing, or outdoor recreation.
- A general understanding of sulfide-ore copper mining and its impacts.
- A commitment to sustainable and healthy wilderness edge communities and
outdoor tourism economy in Minnesota. - Ability to work independently and interact positively with board members, staff,
volunteers, partners, media, decision-makers and the public. - High level of comfort with computers and a variety of applications, including Canva and Google Suite.
- Experience with social media.
Position Requirements:
Flexible hours; some evenings and weekends included. On-the-clock training will be provided.
Other Benefits and Perks:
- Housing provided at no cost through Minnesota North-Vermillion Campus if needed from May-August. If extended through October, the employee is expected to secure their own housing.
- If applicable, we will work with you to arrange college credit for the internship.
- Live in a Wilderness edge community with plenty of opportunity to experience the BWCA.
- Work on a rapidly-growing, historic national effort to protect the BWCA.
- Work alongside and receive mentorship from industry trailblazers and professionals.
- Make connections in the conservation community and with local decision makers.
- Live in a walkable community with free/low-cost events on a daily basis.
To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and three references (name, email, phone, and relationship to them i.e professor, supervisor, etc.) to Gillian Fitzgerald via email at gillian@savetheboundarywaters.org to apply.
Applications will be accepted until February 15th, 2026.
Aquatic Science Field Intern - Ely
Join the Save the Boundary Waters team as an intern this summer!
Position: 2026 Aquatic Science Field Intern
Location: Ely, Minnesota (housing provided)
Dates: May-August 2026; start and end dates accommodating the school calendar
Supervised By: Water Quality Field Manager
Pay: $18/hr
Background:
The Campaign to Save The Boundary Waters is led by Northeastern
Minnesotans for Wilderness (NMW), originally organized by residents in and around Ely, Minnesota. We are dedicated to continuing this national movement to protect the clean water, clean air, wetlands and boreal forest of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its watershed from toxic pollution from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining. NMW’s Water Quality Monitoring Program
began in 2019 with the purpose of collecting a robust set of baseline water chemistry data in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. Each year since then the program has expanded to encompass more projects, personnel, and areas of study. NMW partners with dozens of local and national conservation organizations and businesses.
Wilderness and the pursuit of its protection should be made to be welcoming andaccessible to all. NMW is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the organization as it works to protect this special place for everyone and for generations to come. See NMW’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice commitment here.
Internship description: Join our science team conducting high-quality field research in the unique, backcountry (remote) lakeland setting of Superior National Forest on the edge of the Boundary Waters. We are conducting several research studies in the fields of water quality and fisheries. Interns work with the NMW monitoring team to collect field data and samples for laboratory analysis in multiple ecosystem types. Training will be provided.
Interns work closely with field staff to:
- Prepare monitoring equipment and supplies for field sampling events
- Prepare a field plan to include weather, timing, and other factors; site
locations, maps, travel plans, and remote site access - Collect field data and samples using a variety of sampling equipment and techniques. Sample collection includes some or all the following depending on project needs: water, sediment, fish, and/or invertebrates
- Participate in field documentation as needed, including summarizing reports of field work
- Maintain a high level of quality control and scientific integrity
- Maintain and occasionally develop field equipment
- Enter field data and other field documentation
Position Requirements:
- Positive attitude regarding water and field safety
- Ability to prioritize and adhere to sampling standard operating procedures and sample handling and laboratory protocols according to training that will be provided
- Willingness and ability to work sometimes long, non-standard hours, with a flexible schedule that could include working evenings and/or weekends
- Ability and willingness to work outdoors in temperature extremes, sun and insect exposure, and other weather or environmental conditions
- Ability to participate in moderate to rigorous physical activity including, but not limited to, paddling or hiking while carrying field equipment and supplies
- Ability to lift, crawl, bend, carry and pull
- We expect field staff to treat fish and other study organisms with respect and professionalism, reflecting our commitment to ethical study practices
Desired Skills or Qualities:
- Experience with wilderness travel, working long days in physically rigorous and sometimes environmentally adverse conditions
- Willingness and ability to quickly develop technical backcountry skills
- Valid Driver's license
- Ability to work well with others and complete tasks requiring problem-solving and collaboration
- Ability to handle multiple responsibilities and process and organize large amount of detailed information accurately in a fast-paced and changing environment
- Familiarity with freshwater fish identification
- Experience deploying and checking passive fisheries sampling gear such as fyke/trap nets, pot gear and minnow traps
- Experience with using electrofishing equipment
- Currently working towards a degree in aquatic or biological science, or related field
Benefits:
- $18 / hour
- Housing provided
- Monthly meal stipend for field events
- Work on a strong, historic national effort to protect the BWCA
- Work alongside seasoned professionals and add to your own skills and experience
- Make connections in the conservation and scientific community
- If applicable, we will work with you to arrange college credit for the internship
Please send a resume and brief letter of interest for the internship by February 8th to Corinne@savetheboundarywaters.org
We invite anyone interested to let us know you'd like to be considered for our board! Please fill out this brief form to indicate your interest in being considered for the NMW board. This form is open at any time, and we further consider new board applicants as board roles become available on a limited basis. You may also reach out to Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director, at Ingrid@savetheboundarywaters.org