For Teens: Conservation Science Intensive

Conservation Science Intensive (CSI) is an on-site, field-based overnight program designed to mentor, educate, and empower youth as visionary leaders of the environmental field.

This 5-day, 4-night immersive experience brings together a collaboration of inspiring leaders each with a unique pathway into the conservation field. Your mentors and programming team are dedicated to aiding you craft and embody your voice and leadership style. You, the next generation of conservation, will experience transformative community building and develop indispensable skills for personal and professional empowerment.

This program is for you if:

You are curious about conservation and its varied pathways
You are passionate about fostering diverse and inclusive environments
You value diverse perspectives and lived experiences
You are committed to positively impacting your communities
You are interested in leadership and development of leadership skills
You are drawn to outdoor adventures, gaining exposure, and comfort with field work
You enjoy exchanging knowledge with an open heart and mind
You approach visionary work with creativity, courage, and innovation.

Who:

Participants must be entering their junior or senior year of high school or first year of college in fall 2025.

Applicants must be enrolled at a high school or college located in California.

We do not look for the most experienced candidates, but rather the candidates who could get the most out of this experience. Do not let concerns about prior experience keep you from applying.

Conservation Science Intensive centers on the feminine, including those who are socialized as, or identify with, the terms girl or young woman, as well as those who transcend the dominant gender binary narrative. Our team is committed to empowering and being inclusive of Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQA+ individuals, and the intersections of these communities.

What:

We encourage applicants to note this program requires basic participation commitments. This includes waking up early, spending extended amounts of time outside in sun/rain conditions, walking 4-5 miles throughout the day on slippery terrain (e.g., tidepools, creeks, mudflats, sitting on the ground, carrying a backpack with necessary supplies (e.g., journal, water, lunch), and riding in a van on curvy roads. Do not let these commitments deter you, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

New this year:

Based on participant feedback, we are introducing a project component. Participants will use GIS technology to create a story map, individually or in small groups, capturing their CSI experiences. You can continue to tell your story beyond the program. Participants must commit to pre-program gatherings and the final project presentation in August.

Where:

The 2025 program is based at the Martin Griffin Preserve in Stinson Beach, California and will include several daytime excursions to nearby nature preserves, tide pools, ranches, and other conservation points of interest.

*Applicants must designate a trusted local emergency contact within a four-hour drive of Stinson Beach, CA. This individual must be available for the program’s duration and ready to assist in case of illness, injury, or emergency.

When:

June 23–27, 2025 (five days / four nights)

Introductory Zoom Session: May 23, 4–6 p.m. (PST)

Project Presentations (Zoom): August 22, 4–6 p.m. (PST)

Cost:

$1,200 includes programming, rustic overnight accommodations, and food for the week.

Cost should not be a deterrent to participation.
Full and partial fee waivers are available for students from households that fall below regional low-income ranges. Applicants who are interested in applying for a fee waiver should indicate this in their application. The information will remain confidential to the program director, potential participants, and their parents or guardians. Applicants who have requested and who qualify will receive partial or full fee waivers and/or travel stipends if they are accepted into the program. There is no additional application.

Do I qualify? Full scholarships and travel stipends are available for students from households that fall below your regional low-income range. Follow the link below to look up the Individual Income Limits for your state and county. Consider the steps below to help you navigate and find the information about your regional low-income range.

https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2021/select_Geography.odn
Click on the ‘FY 2024 IL Documentation’ button
Select your state from the list provided
After selecting your state, select your county in the list provided
Click on the ‘View County Calculations’ button
Review the ‘FY 2024 Income Limits Summary’ table to find your FY 2024 Income Limits

If you need support navigating this tool, please reach out to the program staff, contact information located below.

Conservation Science Intensive is made possible by support from generous individuals, foundations, and businesses.

Apply:

Application due February 1, 2025. Apply here >

Questions?

Email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Past CSI participants had this to say:

“This program changes lives for the better. It’s fun while also being educational, eye-opening and empowering. I have felt so grateful, each day of this entire week, to be part of the program. I cannot wait to take what I’ve learned home with me, and I hope to stay in touch with all my new friends.”

“CSI is a vital program for young people to learn and grow in their love for nature and the environment. The lessons I learned are things I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It provides a space for career building and making both professional and personal connections. And I grew in my skills and power as a young woman advocating for social justice, especially for the environment.”

“This program has and continues to change my life and empower me to aspire to new things while in tandem being my truest and most authentic self. As a peer mentor, I am inspired by the passion ignited in our youth when they step outside. It is truly magical to witness, and I am forever grateful for these experiences.”

“I would say this program provides the most incredible opportunity for young scientists. The world of science can be very scary, and it is so difficult to find resources and mentors to help guide us. This whole program is such an invaluable asset to the people it impacts. I hope this program can continue for a long, long time.”