In 2023, the NOAA Restoration Center and NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region 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, 2023 Alaska Veteran Intern
During the 2023 Alaska veteran internship, intern Jeremy Thatcher worked with the NOAA Restoration Center and Alaska Region Habitat Conservation Division. He was based out of NOAA’s Anchorage office, and contributed to advancing habitat work across the state.
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.
Hear more from Jeremy about his internship experience
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!
The Restoration Center and the Alaska Region look forward to future development of the VetCorps program! If you are interested in learning more about this partnership and the VetWorks Environment program in Alaska, contact Emily Mailman at Emily.Mailman@noaa.gov or Aaron Stanton at aaron@mtadamsinstitute.org.
