MDC, Missouri Prairie Foundation, and Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation initiate a new internship program with University of Central Missouri and State Fair Community College

SEDALIA, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF), and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) have created a new internship program for students from State Fair Community College (SFCC) and the University of Central Missouri (UCM). The internship will begin in summer 2026 with applications opening in January.

The program is intended to provide hands-on experience in natural resource management to college students at SFCC and UCM pursuing degrees related to natural resources, agriculture, or environmental studies. Two students will be chosen from the pool of applicants to work primarily on habitat management in MDC’s Lone Buffalo District in Johnson, Pettis, and Benton counties on both public and private land.

“This opportunity offers students a deeper understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities of professionals in this field, while also allowing them to demonstrate their potential for employment in the future,” said MDC Deputy Director Aaron Jeffries. “We are happy to guide the next generation in conservation and resource management.”

Each student intern will work on a variety of projects over a 12-to-14-week period in the summer with additional week-long work opportunities in the fall, winter, and spring. Duties for the first two years will focus on habitat management and area maintenance in the Lone Buffalo District. A student that successfully completes two years in the program may expand their experience for a third season to work in other MDC internship areas if they so choose.

MCHF will award a $5,000 scholarship for each intern upon completion of their first summer of work. If the student returns for additional years, they will receive subsequent scholarships of equal value.

“The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation is honored to support the Lone Buffalo Internship Program,” said Tricia Burkhardt, executive director of MCHF. “This demonstrates how partners can come together to foster a unique learning opportunity and provide financial support to students who are passionate about our natural resources.”  

“This internship program will provide stewardship to irreplaceable prairies and other natural communities in Johnson, Pettis, and Benton counties," said Carol Davit, executive director of the Missouri Prairie Foundation, a 59-year-old land trust that owns and manages several original prairies in Pettis and Benton counties open to the public. "In addition, the program will help train natural community stewards for the future. An experienced workforce is critically important to safeguard Missouri's natural heritage for generations to come. The Missouri Prairie Foundation is pleased to be a partner in this significant educational initiative."

MDC will supervise the interns, providing equipment, training, and work plans. MPF and MCHF will both support the program financially, and interns will have the opportunity to work on MPF properties during the summer. The partnership will focus on providing learning and work opportunities to interns throughout the school year, exposing the students to public and private land habitat management, recreational use management, monitoring and research, and more.

“State Fair Community College is proud to join this partnership,” said Michael Murders, vice president of Academic and Student Services at SFCC. “By working alongside professionals in habitat management, research, and natural resource stewardship, students from both institutions will gain valuable skills, strengthen career readiness, and build professional networks that support future employment. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of higher education partnerships in preparing students for success while contributing to the preservation of Missouri’s natural resources.”

“The faculty and staff in our department are thrilled to partner with the Lone Buffalo Internship Program,” said Scott Lankford, chair of the Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences at UCM. “This transformative, engaged-learning initiative offers our top students both financial support and hands-on experience, preparing them to become highly skilled, job-ready conservation professionals for Missouri.”

The internship will be open to SFCC and UCM students entering their second year of school with at least 30 credit hours. Applications will be made available to students through their respective schools. The application process will include interviews with candidates and reviews of grade point averages (GPAs), work experience, and letters of recommendation. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 1 to Feb. 1, 2026, and final interns will be selected by March 15 to begin working immediately following the completion of the students’ spring semester.

To learn more about MDC, visit https://mdc.mo.gov. To learn more about MPF, visit https://moprairie.org. To learn more about MCHF, visit https://mochf.org.