NOAA Veteran Corps Internship Supports Habitat Restoration in Alaska

NOAA’s veteran corps partnerships program supports habitat restoration projects across Alaska.

Alaska

Two people sit on the snow along a creek. They are both looking at a piece of scientific equipment. One is wearing a blue winter jacket and knitted beanie, and the other is wearing a red and blue winter jacket and white baseball cap.

NOAA veteran intern Jeremy Thatcher (right) and Chickaloon Traditional Council Environmental Program Manager Kendra Zamzow (left) take water quality measurements on Wolverine Creek, Alaska. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

The NOAA Restoration Center and NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region have partnered with the Mt. Adams Institute to expand NOAA’s veteran internship program and support a veteran internship in Alaska. The internship is focused on developing a wide array of skills and knowledge within the natural resource management field, across various areas of NOAA.

Veteran interns become familiar with the roles that tribal nations, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal agencies play in resource management. They gain a better understanding of habitat restoration planning and implementation. They also gain professional development through networking and support during their transition from a military career to a civilian career. At the same time, they are addressing the needs of our nation’s public lands, natural resource management agencies, and non-profit organizations.

Meet Jeremy Thatcher, Alaska Veteran Intern

In the first year of the Alaska veteran internship, intern Jeremy Thatcher has been working with the NOAA Restoration Center and Alaska Region Habitat Conservation Division. He is based out of NOAA’s Anchorage office, advancing habitat work across the state.

A person stands near a lake holding a net and other equipment to survey fish — Jeremy Thatcher at Wrong Way Lake near Cordova, Alaska, carrying gear for a survey of juvenile coho salmon. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

During the first half of his 11-month internship, Jeremy assisted with fish passage projects in Chickaloon, Cordova, and Hope, Alaska. He worked with partners such as the Chickaloon Village Traditional Council, Copper River Watershed Partnership, and National Forest Foundation. He also had the opportunity to assist with the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Program, recording data on beluga sightings around Cook Inlet where the species is endangered. During the second half of his internship, Jeremy has focused on expanding his field work knowledge, growing his professional network and preparing for the next chapter in his career.

Meet Our Implementing Partner

Mt. Adams Institute strengthens the connection between people and the natural world through education, service learning, career development and research. The Institute hosts two veteran-focused programs:

VetsWork: Environment, an 11-month career development internship program for military veterans in the natural resources management, public lands, and environment sector
VetsWork: FireCorps, a 12-week career training program for military veterans interested in wildfire landscape management, wildland firefighting, and other natural resource management and public lands careers

How it Works: Apply!

Are you interested in learning more about this partnership or applying to the VetWorks Environment program in Alaska? Contact Erika Ammann at Erika.Ammann@noaa.gov or Aaron Stanton at aaron@mtadamsinstitute.org.