Forests Communications Intern

EDF internships provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.

Location

U.S. Remote with option to be hybrid out of an EDF office in New York. Intern supervisors are in California and New York, and many team members are remote.

Term

Fall 2026

Hours

Part-time (20 hr/week) or Full-time (35 hr/week)

Application Materials

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.

Program/Department Overview

Forests are vital to stabilizing the global climate, sustaining the livelihoods of millions, and preserving the planet’s rich biodiversity. Yet, forest loss is accelerating and threats from destructive wildfires and land conversion (driven primarily by agriculture) are mounting.

Backed by science, technology, and strong community partnerships, the Environmental Defense Fund is advancing ambitious and innovative solutions that strengthen Indigenous agency and control over their lands, shift wildfire management from reactive to proactive, and unlock critical finance for communities and governments to halt forest loss and degradation.

Since 1967, the EDF has worked to create a world where both people and nature can thrive. Healthy forests are central to this vision.

Overall Function

The intern will play a pivotal role in advancing EDF’s expert voices and thought leadership around wildfires and forest conservation, focusing on researching opportunities and developing tactics to engage with our audiences. The intern will gain practical experience in strategic media and social media planning, implementing communications tactics, and understanding the process for running marketing and communications campaigns.

The intern will support with researching and monitoring the media landscape with the aim of developing targeted media lists and pitches. This role also includes coordination of internal communications needs and timelines; social media and blog content creation and promotion; occasional report design layout assistance; and some event planning and support.  

They will report to the Senior Vice President, Global Communications, and coordinate closely with other members of the Forests program staff, and the Marketing & Communications (MarComm) department.  

Key Responsibilities

Tasks will include but are not limited to: 

• Support with the development and implementation of strategic marketing and communications planning.
• Research and monitor the media landscape for opportunities to pitch journalists about our priority issues around wildfires and forest conservation and develop a media list.
• Attend weekly Forests team meetings to understand short term priorities, and various weekly communications meetings to strategize content planning and tactics. 
• Support the communications team’s writing, editing, designing, securing approval for, publishing, promoting and monitoring performance of public-facing content with nuanced messages under tight time constraints. Materials include social media posts, web content, media pitches, blogs and other content. 
• Assist with video podcast production of the On (Wild)fire series, including by facilitating interviews, selecting promotional clips, writing social media content.
• Assist the communications team with event and workshop planning and promotion, including uploading video and photos to the EDF Library, creating social media invitations, and developing post-event content, including blogs and social media posts. 
• Support with basic report layouts and social media graphics using Canva and EDF’s Brand Styleguide.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
• Other Global Climate Cooperation and MarComm related duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• Enrolled in or a recent graduate of an undergraduate degree program in communications, marketing, environmental studies, journalism or related topics with demonstrated interest in climate advocacy. 
• Coursework in strategic communications, public relations, writing, digital or social media marketing, or graphic design recommended. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 
• Proficiency in drafting and posting content across various social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn and Twitter). 
• Basic knowledge of graphic design, especially with Canva, preferred. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.

Compensation

This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $18 /hour or the local minimum wage if it exceeds $18/hour.