Federal Relations Intern Fall 2026 Spring 2027

Who WeAre:

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the leader of a movement to connect everyonein Americato the outdoors. A national nonprofit TPL partners with communities to create high-quality parks and protect public landsespecially in communities that need them mostto improve public health create social cohesion strengthen historic and cultural connection to place and increase climate resilience. Since 1972 TPL has protected more than4 million acresof public land created more than 5500 parks trails schoolyards and iconic outdoor places generated over$112 billionin public funding for parks and public lands and connectednearly10million peopleto the outdoors. To learn more visit .

Position Summary:

The Federal Relations team at Trust for Public Land (TPL) is seeking two highly motivated undergraduate students graduate students orrecent graduates foraFall2026/ Spring2027internship. Our team is dedicated to TPLs mission to create parks and protect land for are responsible for TPLs federal policy strategy and advocacy including appropriating federal funds for conservation programs ensuring equitable outdoor access protecting public lands and increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The Federal Relations Interns will fill a distinct roleonour team while sustainingample opportunitiesto collaborate. The Intern will work on our federal portfolio including but not limited to trails tribal lands Black history and culture landscape protection community schoolyards and federal grants. Both positions will also include assorted administrative clerical and programmatic tasks. These duties will be in support ofstaffslobbying activities on Capitol Hill and our federal grant management.

Essential Functions:

• Support the implementation of our national campaign to increase funding for local parks and schoolyards across the country
• Research Trust for Public Land initiative areas including federal schoolyards and urban park legislation tracking support and opportunities to engage members of Congress
• Research and track federal grant and funding programs focused on increasingequitableaccess to the outdoors
• Conduct research and prepare blogs advocacy letters fact sheets internal communications and press releases related to schoolyards and park equity
• Track outreach and communication to members of Congress
• Attend lobby meetings coalition meetings federal agency webinars etc.
• Participate in regular team and organizational meetings
• Perform general administrative duties in support of assigned project work

Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to TPLs shared values (Belonging Creativity Collaboration Impact and Hope) to effectively work across the organization.
• At least6monthsexperience in an internship government or environmental experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated desire to learn about our work
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Detail oriented and organized
• Self-motivated passionate and professional
• Must be a team player; ability to work both independently and in a collaborative environment
• Willingness to adapt and remain flexible as projects and priorities change
• Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs

Compensation:

This is a paid internshipat$19/hour.

Applicants must be able to work20-30hours per Internship runsforone academic calendaryear fromSeptember12026throughMay 31 2027.

Trust for Public Lands active goal is to be an inclusive andequitableplace to work and build community. As the organization actively works toeliminateracial and otherdisparitiesit welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case we encourage you to apply.