Funded Student Summer Experiences in Colorado
(Visit back in January, we will have these same positions open for summer 2024)
Developing and Testing Long-term Ecological Monitoring Protocols for Land Practitioners in South-Central Colorado
Summer Experience Description
During the last year, our YSE team has collected field data at the ranch, studied ecological monitoring strategies, and drafted initial long-term monitoring protocols for the ranch. We are currently seeking Yale students to field test and implement these monitoring protocols at the ranch in Colorado during summer 2022. Student work this summer will directly contribute to our efforts to develop and test monitoring for the ranch and study important land management questions.
The monitoring protocols aim to answer key ecological questions about natural resources at the ranch to inform future land management decisions. Students will implement monitoring over a variety of areas on the ranch, which are likely to include riparian areas, sagebrush ares, and high-elevation forests.
Download the PDF below for more details and learn how to apply.
Western Resources Fellowship
Application Period Closed for 2023
A student-driven query involving research, an internship, or management project during the summer.
Ucross High Plains Stewardship Initiative at YSE provides fellows with a financial award, logistical assistance, and mentorship to aid with a summer experience that will have a high impact on conservation, stewardship, or management of natural resources in the Rocky Mountain or High Plains regions. This program supports Yale graduate and undergraduate students completing a summer work that will provide them with practical experience, leadership skills, and/or research experience that will prepare fellows for their future careers. A financial award of up to $8,000 will be granted to each fellow. Fellows will actively participate in peer mentoring with other fellows and will receive guidance from UHPSI staff during the summer.
Read more about past fellows work: 2021 |Past fellowships.
How to Apply
Please apply using the Yale Students Grant Database by March 18, 2023. More information about applications materials can be found in PDF below along with general fellowship expectations.
View 10-minute presentations by each 2020 Western Resources Fellows by clicking here.
Zhi Li 
Frank Eccher 
Josh Perez-Cruet 
Shea Flanagan 
Danielle Glass 
Lucas Isakowitz 
Leif Castren 
Frank Eccher
Land Management Field Practicum – Not offered in 2023
A 2-week field practicum during early June designed to engage Yale students with students from 3 other universities (University of Wyoming, Sheridan College, and Texas A&M University- Kingsville) in a collaborative, decision-making process to address a western, natural-resource issue. Practicum involves lectures, field data collection, and communication with diverse stakeholders to produce a conservation deliverable. This experiential, service-learning practicum engages students in applied problem solving with people of different backgrounds, skillsets, and perspectives. Each year the team addresses a issue that a group of western organizations are seeking more information on. Student then spend the fall summarizing data and authoring a report to guide land management decisions.
- All Yale students welcome to apply. Most expenses covered by UHPSI.
- Students can pair this 2-week experience with other summer internships or work.
- Week 1
- Lectures and field visits to introduce students to rangelands, plant identification, project design, and field methods.
- Students work collaboratively to develop their own data collection methods that will allow them to answer the management question at hand.
- Week 2
- Head into the field and put methods to work collecting data.
- Fall
- Analyze data and author a collaborative report that will be used by the land managers to make informed decisions.
Read more about past the field practicum.