I had the incredible opportunity to work with Western Slope Conservation Center for 3 months this summer as a grant writing intern and office and program assistant. I have been studying for two years in Cardiff, Wales as a journalism, media, and culture student at Cardiff University, and am really interested in going into grant writing in the nonprofit sector. I grew up in Montrose and have such a connection to and love for the western slope and all it provides us. I couldn’t be more grateful to have received the opportunity to start my journey in the grant writing world through an organization that dedicates itself to protecting our land and water.
I came into this internship and work opportunity with a passion for conservation and nonprofit work, but very little experience in the field. Over these few months, I was able to read and learn more about the numerous grants WSCC looks into and applies for, work on several grant applications and reports, assist in some of the many events the organization attended and organized, and help write outreach and education materials on major public lands related happenings. Some highlights over this summer included learning all about the grant process from the research stage to the application to writing a report, participating in WSCC’s Volunteer Trail Stewardship Days, and writing blog posts and articles regarding the Public Lands Sell-Off earlier this summer and ongoing GORP Act updates. Suffice it to say, I learned more than I ever could have hoped for and really feel that I received the best possible foundation in this work.
Every single person at WSCC, from main staff to volunteers and board members, was so welcoming and helpful during my time here. It was because of their willingness and enthusiasm to help teach me about the world of conservation and everything that goes into it that I was able to take so much away from this experience. I am about to begin my final year in Cardiff and I hope to continue working with WSCC and in conservation grant writing in the future. Thank you WSCC!