Announcing our New Summer 2026 Field Research Internship Intensive
The Carolina Wildlands Foundation is excited to announce a four-week paid Summer Field Research Internship in Piedmont Ecology, running from May 25 through June 19, 2026. This immersive program is designed for upper-level undergraduate students and recent graduates who are eager to gain hands-on experience in ecology and conservation science.
Interns will spend four intensive weeks exploring and studying the diverse landscapes of Southern 8ths Biological Field Station in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Through guided fieldwork, participants will build a strong foundation in local natural history, learn research techniques in study design, data collection, and analysis, and complete an independent research project focused on a topic of personal interest. The program emphasizes both scientific rigor and the ability to communicate research findings clearly – what we call “telling the story.”
The internship will be led by Dr. Eric LoPresti, an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina, who brings expertise in plant–insect interactions, plant evolution, and natural history. Dr. Tim Miller, a full-time field course instructor since 2018, brings extensive experience in botany and field-based education, with interests spanning plants, birds, and amphibians. Together, they will mentor a small cohort of eight to twelve interns, supported by a graduate assistant and the Carolina Wildlands Foundation staff.
Dr. Eric LoPresti (L), Dr. Tim Miller(R)
Interns will receive a $2,400 stipend for the four-week program funded by the Carolina Wildlands Foundation. The internship is open to third- and fourth-year undergraduates and recent graduates within the past four years who have completed an introductory ecology course and are interested in pursuing careers in ecology, conservation biology, wildlife biology, or related fields.
At Carolina Wildlands Foundation, we believe conservation starts with firsthand knowledge of nature. As many science students move toward laboratory-based research with limited field experience, this program addresses a growing gap in ecological training. By immersing interns in real landscapes and living systems, we aim to cultivate scientists who understand the value of protecting nature and its role in supporting biodiversity and public well-being, here in the Piedmont and beyond.
