Spring 2026 Restoration Forestry Internship

The Center for Rural Livelihoods (formerly Aprovecho) has been a leader in sustainable living for half a century. Our 40-acre campus, outside Cottage Grove, Oregon, is a living laboratory for agroforestry, habitat restoration, ecological forestry, natural building, appropriate technologies and grass-roots organizing.

CRL’s Restoration Forestry program is focused on supporting the emergence of a new forestry in the region - one focused on rekindling community wellbeing while regenerating the landscapes in which we live. This internship is meant to help participants hone their land stewardship skills in a hands-on environment, supported by our staff and guest teachers, while coming together to envision ecological land stewardship that supports rural livelihoods.

Interns will have the opportunity to hone their skills and experience in:

• Process-based restoration practices

• Regenerative food production

• Ecological forestry

• Permaculture

• Natural building 

• Agroforestry

This program is designed to provide an experiential introduction; you won’t master these arenas, but you will have a thorough understanding of them by the end of the program.

To learn more about CRL’s vision and strategy for restoration forestry, click here.

Logistics

• The internship program will run for 8 weeks, from April 26 to June 20, 2026.

• There is no cost for attending this internship. Room and board are provided.

• Interns will work on the land for 4 hours per day, 4 days per week, with an additional weekly field trip (which will also involve hands-on land stewardship work at the field site). Time will be available also to pursue independent inquiry and projects related to the internship themes.

• Shared housing and food will be provided in CRL’s strawbale dormitory. There are also ample campsites and spaces for vehicle-camping for those who prefer this option.

• Interns will be responsible for their own cleaning and cooking. There is a shared laundry facility on-site.

• We are located approximately 15 minutes from downtown Cottage Grove. Public transportation into town is not available, so we highly recommend you bring a vehicle (or a bike), or coordinate with other interns to share vehicles.

• Cell phone and internet connectivity are limited on campus, but wifi is typically available in our Community Meeting Hall.

• Be prepared for all weather and lots of time outdoors! Bring sturdy boots, rain gear, and clothing for working in heavy brush and forest terrain.

Rules and Expectations

• Interns are expected to work for 4 hours per day, 5 days per week, which includes the weekly field trip to another nearby site.

• Interns are expected to live on-site for the duration of the internship. 

• Our campus is on a fairly steep incline, and land stewardship work on-site can be physically rigorous. Interns are expected to be able to lift 50 pounds, and to be able to walk around the property comfortably.

• Pets, apart from service animals, are not allowed.

• Smoking, including cannabis, is allowed in the center circle of the parking lot, and at the fire pit in the garden (with consent of others around). Alcohol and cannabis may be consumed after work hours for those age 21 or older, with the consent of others around. Illegal drug use is not permitted.

• Interns will be sent CRL’s Code of Conduct protocols to review prior to the start of the internship.

Restoration Forestry Internship Program Leaders

Drew Thomas

Drew is the program coordinator and an instructor for restoration forestry internship. He supports the day to day operations of the program and will be your “go to” person on site during your stay.

For more about Drew’s background, see his biography on our staff page.

Ready to apply?

Applications are now open! Click here to apply:

If you have any further questions, please email Drew Thomas at drew@rurallivelihoods.org.