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“I have learned that it is never too late to do what you love. I have also learned, or at least been reminded, just how much of a difference can be accomplished by a collaborative effort, even with small-scale actors” – Emilya Kalburn

Are you passionate about nature and a greener future? Then you’ll resonate with Emilya’s journey.

Nestled in Brazil’s lush Zona da Mata aka “forest zone”, Emilya immersed herself in a biodiversity conservation internship, learning hands-on about the value of sustainable living. Keep reading to discover how her experience can inspire your own conservation efforts.

A lot of young plants.

KEY FACTS:

  • Location: Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Brazil
  • Academic Focus Area: Environmental Management
  • Length: Minimum 8 weeks

THE INTERNSHIP

Located in Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest, this Biodiversity Conservation Internship is a dream for nature enthusiasts and eco-warriors alike. Dive into impactful projects like addressing water scarcity and the ripple effects of global warming on communities and ecosystems. From planting trees and nurturing seedlings to tracking their progress and monitoring their future impact, you’ll actively contribute to restoring one of the planet’s most vital habitats. If you’re eager to turn your vision of a greener world into reality, this hands-on experience offers a meaningful step forward in the fight for conservation.

THE ORGANIZATION

Since 1999, this dedicated nonprofit has been revitalizing the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, one of the planet’s richest ecosystems, while tackling the climate crisis head-on. Combining massive reforestation efforts, medicinal plant studies, and educational outreach, they engage communities to embrace conservation over deforestation. Their work has fostered a global network of alumni whose influence extends across fields like academia, business, the arts, and public service.

ABOUT EMILYA

Meet Emilya, a passionate environmental studies graduate with a deep love for tropical ecosystems. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she was determined to transform her theoretical knowledge into hands-on experience. With dreams of becoming a restoration ecologist, Emilya knew that to make this vision a reality, she needed to cultivate the resources around her in the present moment. Although her experience wasn’t rooted in hard science, her unwavering drive and fierce determination to fight climate change fueled her ambition. So, she ventured into the field, embracing both the challenges and the boundless opportunities that come with real-world conservation work, knowing it was the first step toward shaping a more sustainable future.

Intern planting a plant.

5 INSIGHTS FROM EMILYA’S BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP IN BRAZIL

THE IMPORTANCE OF IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL WORK

Imagine an internship in conservation that not only integrates you in the art of green development, but also lets you help shape the future with your own hands; literally nurturing new life from the soil. Humanity has grown complacent, taking our planet’s abundance for granted, often blind to the slow crumbling of our ecological systems until it’s too late. This is why physical presence in the fight for preservation is more critical than ever.

Ecological systems are a fascinating subject, one that has supported humanity for millennia. While studying them offers valuable insights, practical experience provides a deeper understanding. This was the very mindset that led Emilya to pursue this internship. “I felt a need to enrich my skills in a place outside the classroom. Theory will only take you so far, and I wanted to not only go into the field twice a week for class, but really have a full immersion.”

That’s how Emilya’s biodiversity conservation internship came to be: a leap from Canada’s cool landscapes to Brazil’s sun-drenched rainforests. Among the vibrant greenery and biodiversity, Emilya spearheaded two exciting projects. The first was an upcycling initiative, designing methods to reduce waste and promote sustainability. The second was a research study exploring the effectiveness of homemade organic fertilizers crafted from on-site materials like food scraps, ash, and manure.

Her daily tasks were just as engaging and hands-on: conducting literary reviews, blending custom NPK fertilizers, tracking seedling growth, collecting soil samples, and evaluating their qualities. These weren’t just assignments to Emilya, they were contributions to a cause, reflections of her commitment to the planet, and a chance to grow both scientifically and personally.

Find out more reasons to do an internship with an NGO

HOW SETBACKS CAN LEAD TO GROWTH

Emilya’s internship journey was smooth sailing up until midway through her experiment when suddenly – disaster struck. Her seedlings weren’t thriving, and the results fell far short of her control group. “I was devastated and worried I was failing my experiment…” she admitted.

But rather than let this setback crush her spirits, Emilya approached it as an opportunity to grow. Emilya wanted to understand the “how” and after revisiting her methods, she discovered the “why”:  her organic materials were too dense, causing soil compaction and stunting growth. Confident and equipped with new knowledge, she adjusted her approach, diluting the materials and starting fresh. Her experiment was back on track.

This experience became a pivotal lesson for Emilya, not just in science, but in resilience. She noted, “This was a good learning curve which contributed to my professional growth by enhancing my understanding, but also in giving me the confidence to understand, learn, and adapt”.

THE POWER OF SUSTAINABILITY

Emilya’s conservation internship was more than just a learning experience; it was a transformative journey that reinforced the importance of sustainable habits and a deep appreciation for biodiversity. Reflecting on her time, she shares. “Since being here and seeing the amazing rich diversity of insects, animals, birds, snakes, and all forms of life, and how these trees which are being cut down are the host for all this incredible biodiversity, it’s been a huge reminder that we can never take for granted our habits of over-consumption and how much even small habits that may seem normal, like the products we use or how much we drive or buy, can have large impacts on the planet’s most precious biomes and the animals that live in them.” 

Emilya also emphasizes the empowerment she felt from embracing a nomadic lifestyle: “How empowering it is to be a nomad. I have always dreamt of living a life like this, to live out of a suitcase and be free to carry your home inside of you at all times, unshackled to a location. Being here has reminded me that I have the power to do that, and that the less we have, the more free we are.”

Learn more about pursuing a Sustainable Internship

SOLIDIFYING CAREER GOALS

For Emilya, this internship not only deepened her connection to nature but also clarified her professional aspirations. “I want to be a restoration ecologist,” she shares with conviction. Her time in the Atlantic rainforest, witnessing firsthand the destruction of vital ecosystems through logging and deforestation has reignited her passion for restoration work. “I have been met with a renewed sense of admiration for restoration work, because since our planet is in peril, and ecosystems like this (the Atlantic rainforest) are being bulldozed and logged, now more than ever, restoration and reforestation work is deeply needed.” This experience has strengthened her resolve to contribute to the healing and preservation of Earth’s most threatened landscapes.

A great view overlooking the mountains and blue sky.

READY TO TURN YOUR PASSION FOR CONSERVATION INTO ACTION?

Let Emilya’s internship story inspire you to take the first step toward making a difference.

With Roots, you can explore a variety of opportunities to contribute to environmental conservation and be part of creating a sustainable future on our planet.

This blog was written by Cheyenne Conradie