Oxbow Meadows Internships

Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a difference?  Spend the semester at Oxbow Meadows as an intern to gain real world experience, college credit, and career building skills.  

Internship Application

 

“My overall experience assisting at Oxbow Meadows was a great experience! I learned about the diverse culture of students that visit from within the local schools and how diverse our ecosystem is as well. The staff is very professional and knowledgeable. I gained valuable experience working there! Again, the staff is what makes this organization so wonderful! The personal connection and time you all provide to ensure the youth is actively engaging in science is a true testimony to what makes you all special! “   
-Donald (Education Intern Fall 2024) 

Internship Information

Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center offers a variety of internships designed to provide real-world, hands-on experience in environmental education, conservation, animal care, and community engagement. Internships are open to all Columbus State University students, regardless of major, and may be completed for course credit, Honors College, Servant Leadership, or résumé-building experience. 

As an intern, you’ll be part of the daily work that makes Oxbow thrive—whether that’s caring for reptiles and amphibians, supporting STEM field trips, creating marketing materials, developing exhibits, or helping with conservation projects. We also offer creative opportunities in the arts, community outreach, and partnerships with organizations like Savage Hart Wildlife Rehabilitation and the Sierra Club. 

Internships are generally semester-based and require a commitment of at least 8 hours per week, with some weekend participation for programs and events. Most positions are Tuesday–Saturday, 8:30am–4:30pm, and all interns should be prepared for both indoor and outdoor work. 

No matter your career goals—education, nonprofit management, marketing, science, conservation, veterinary medicine, or community leadership—Oxbow internships provide the chance to build valuable skills, gain professional experience, and make a difference in our community and environment.

Types of Interships

Animal Care 
Support reptile, amphibian, and aquatic care; shadow keepers; gain hands-on husbandry and handling experience; assist with enrichment and record-keeping. Ideal for students pursuing careers in wildlife, natural resources, or veterinary medicine.  

STEM Education & Exhibit Design 
Support field trips, summer camps, and public programs while helping to create lesson plans and design interpretive exhibits. Gain experience in teaching, public speaking, and outreach—valuable for careers in education, public service, or government roles that involve community engagement. 

Community & Public Engagement  
Support weekend events, family programs, and Scouts, while also helping lead onsite activities like Nature Play. Participate in outreach programs and assist with volunteers. This track is ideal for students interested in careers in parks and recreation, nonprofit management, or community engagement. 

Marketing & Communications 
Create content for social media, newsletters, and press releases while supporting event promotion and community outreach. Build skills in writing, photography, and design—ideal for students pursuing careers in communications, journalism, or nonprofit marketing. 

Conservation & Sustainability 
Assist with citizen science projects such as eBird, iNaturalist, and water quality monitoring while supporting habitat restoration and trail or garden maintenance. Gain practical field experience and project skills useful for careers in conservation, ecology, and environmental management. 

Types of Interships

Gardening & Horticulture  
Work with native plant propagation, pollinator gardens, and sustainable landscaping projects. Gain hands-on experience in seasonal planting and garden management—valuable for students interested in horticulture, ecology, or environmental design. 

STEM & Research-Oriented  
Assist with data collection, GIS mapping, wildlife surveys, and research projects, including bird migration data and weather station monitoring. Gain experience in data analysis and field research with opportunities to collaborate on faculty- and student-led studies. 

Arts, Media & Creative  
Develop visual projects through photography, film, art, or exhibit design, and bring nature to audiences through creative storytelling. Opportunities may include student-led theater productions, interpretive performances, or other artistic approaches to public engagement. 

Blue Bird Monitoring (with Sierra Club and Savage Hart Wildlife Rehabilitation) 
Assist with bluebird box monitoring across Oxbow and other locations in Columbus, while also supporting partner organizations like the Sierra Club and Savage Hart. This seasonal internship is ideal for those interested in data collection and participating in meaningful ways to help our environment. 

Partner Internship – Savage Hart Wildlife Rehabilitation  
Assist with wildlife rehabilitation, cross-site conservation projects, and education programs in partnership with Savage Hart. This internship takes place at Savage Hart rather than Oxbow Meadows, offering seasonal hands-on opportunities for students pursuing careers in wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, or conservation biology. 

Technological Support Internship 
Assist with project development that maximizes the sharing and availability of remote sensing data. This internship is ideal for students in computer science and information technology. 

Oxbow Meadows GREEN Team
Assist with various day to day projects around the center, ranging from trail maintenance, programs, greeting guests, and more. This is a great opportunity for those unsure where to begin! You will gain experience with other CSU student, volunteer, and CSU student assistants at Oxbow Meadows. 

General Intern Qualifications:

• Must be current Columbus State University student
• Must commit to minimum 8 hours a week or more if course requirement
• Must be available some Saturdays, depending on internship selected
• Currently, Oxbow does not offer paid internships.

Past Internship Projects:

• Interpretative signage and display in River Room
• Creation of Nature Babies and Knee-High Naturalist programs
• Natural History interpretative displays
• Water quality sampling of Oxbow and Columbus ponds
• Animal care for pre-veterinarian experience

 

2024 Intern Feature

Youtube Video Embed:https://youtu.be/dfoZxOKyiew?si=JzKHbPCJA9VZ-A-_