Wilton Land Trust Nurtures Future Generation of Environmental Leaders

The following article was written and submitted by the Wilton Land Conservation Trust.

The Wilton Land Trust’s internship programs offer an unparalleled opportunity for students in Wilton with its hands-on approach to teaching conservation science and land management. Students can gain practical skills, learn about conservation and deepen their engagement with the Wilton community through three unique opportunities to engage closely with the WLT’s mission:

• College students participate in formal internships involving about 35 hours of work over 7-8 weeks.
• High school internships offer students the chance to work with the Trust for 2-5 hours a week for 13 weeks in both the spring and fall.
• The Trust has introduced a ranger program for high school students eager to get involved but unable to commit to a formal program. 

In 2024, the Trust expanded to include summer internships for high school students, hosting 10 high schoolers along with three college interns. Over the course of the summer, WLT’s they worked to steward the Trust’s 840-acre portfolio of natural spaces, advancing the Trust’s mission by contributing to trail maintenance, ecological restoration, and community outreach.

Under the direction of Executive Director David McCarthy, the college interns self-organize workdays to clear trails, remove invasive vegetation, and care for native plantings. Each Thursday in the spring, fall and summer, high school and college interns join Stewardship Programs Manager Christian Malone for workdays focused on hands-on projects to restore biodiversity at WLT preserves.

“Our high school internship program immerses students in applied science, allowing them to become well-versed in environmental and ecological practices,” Malone said. “My primary goal is to educate our youth about the environment so they can develop their own understanding and appreciation of it. We focus on planting native species and restoring habitat biodiversity. The more people I can teach about habitat restoration, the more our local community will benefit. The native plants we introduce will support a wide range of local fauna and insect species,” he added.

Each year, the Wilton Land Trust’s internship program attracts dozens of students who have an interest in learning more about environmental conservation and gaining hands-on experience with the WLT. The program also appeals to many outdoor enthusiasts, as it provides the opportunity to get out into nature and engage in hands-on work in the land trust’s preserves. 

On one Thursday workday this past July, high school and college interns met at WLT’s 75-acre Gregg Preserve for trail maintenance, clearing overgrown vegetation and removing invasive burning bush. In a hands-on format, students learned about the importance of enhancing biodiversity for healthier ecosystems.

Recent Wilton High School graduate Anna Morello interned from 2022 to 2024, an experience now carrying her forward at California Polytechnic State University, where she’s studying forest and fire sciences.

“I was interested in becoming an intern for the Wilton Land Trust because I have always been very passionate about the environment and wanted to be able to do what I can to make a positive impact, as well as give back to the community that I live in,” Morello said.

Fellow high school intern Sisu Alter agreed that gaining direct hands-on experience in ecological projects was appealing. “I became interested in the Wilton Land Trust internship program because I want to contribute to environmental restoration,” she said.

The Wilton Land Trust nurtures interns’ passion for nature through individualized, hands-on experiences, empowering them to take on leadership roles and make a positive environmental impact in the community.

Like Morello, recent WHS graduate Ethan Lipper interned with the Trust from 2022-2024. He is now attending the University of Southern California, studying environmental health.

“What I liked most about interning was that I got to enjoy the outdoors while doing impactful work. I enjoyed my experience interning there and would recommend it to any high schooler in the area who is interested in environment studies,” Lipper said.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to see the enthusiasm for the environment and dedication to conservation that our interns bring to the table,” McCarthy said. “Watching them grow into confident, capable leaders who can inspire others is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job.”

The Wilton Land Trust’s college internship program offers tailored, full-time summer experiences, where interns collaborate with McCarthy to align their academic interests and career goals with personalized projects.

“This personalized approach ensures each intern has a relevant, enriching experience tailored to their interests and studies, deepening their engagement with conservation and making their time truly impactful,” McCarthy said.

Over the summer, WLT’s College interns worked about 35 hours a week over eight weeks on various stewardship and management tasks, including trail clearing, watering native plants, and engaging the community at local events like the farmers market and sidewalk sale. They also collaborate with the executive director to design and implement a capstone project that aligns with their academic or career interests while advancing the goals of the Wilton Land Trust.

Elizabeth Vermeulen, a rising junior at the University of Virginia, explored ecosystem services for her capstone, calculating the monetary values of WLT’s preserves using a tool from the Land Trust Alliance and Earth Economics. She plans to refine her project and give a talk on valuing these benefits. Caelah Kennedy, a rising junior at the University of Vermont, focused on native plants and alternative landscaping, creating resources for rain and butterfly gardens to raise awareness about the benefits of wildlife-friendly yards. Clarissa Greis, a rising sophomore at Fordham University, developed a native species guide for WLT’s website, highlighting local plants and wildlife to educate residents and promote understanding of their role in a healthy ecosystem.

“I was able to tailor the program to my specific interests, which allowed for a more meaningful internship opportunity and will be a valuable experience I carry with me throughout my academic and professional career,” Vermeulen said.

The Wilton Land Trust’s Internship Program equips students with the skills to become effective land stewards, fostering environmental appreciation and advocacy. By participating in the Trust’s conservation efforts, interns make a meaningful impact on the environment and the Wilton community, often inspiring lifelong dedication to sustainability.

“I have learned a lot being an intern but I think the biggest thing I learned is invasive and native plant identification, and knowing how they impact the environment whether it be positively or negatively,” WLT high school intern Brody Fusco said.

“My favorite thing about the internship is the community we’ve built and the friends I’ve made,” intern Isla Ritchie said.

WLT’s internships can be career stepping-stones, offering exposure to the field and insight into roles in conservation science, ecology, and land management — ideal for those pursuing further education or careers in these areas.

“I was able to expand my work experience, meet new people, and learn how conservancies like the land trust work. I can’t wait to take what I’ve learned here with me when I go back to school and enter the world of environmental conservation,”college intern Kennedy said.

The Wilton Land Trust aims to grow its internship program to cater to a rise in student interest. Plans include refining the program and expanding the stewardship manager’s role to full-time to enhance the program’s impact while continuously refining the experience to keep it enriching for students.

“Our goal is to keep improving the program, provide exceptional opportunities for future conservation leaders, and increase opportunities for our youth to make positive impacts on our community and environment,” McCarthy said. “If you’re interested in getting involved and becoming an intern, please visit our website for additional information, and apply. If you want to know more, please reach out, my door is always open.” 

The Wilton Land Trust is a community-focused nonprofit dedicated to preserving land for open space, protecting biodiversity, and promoting environmental awareness and education. The organization is entirely member-driven and all WLT efforts depend solely on the generosity and support of its annual members. 

For more information about the Wilton Land Trust, to get involved, and to become an annual supporting member, visit the Wilton Land Trust online.