Ventana Wildlife Society

General Description of what students will be doing at this Site: Due to the increasingly proven health benefits, some doctors are starting to write nature prescriptions. Patients from underserved communities are often willing but unable to fulfill nature prescriptions due to strenuous work scheduled, fear of city parks due to gangs, transportation and park access fees. Doctors may struggle with insufficient knowledge, lack of insurance reimbursement, and lack of educational materials, time and resources. Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS), a local non-profit organization, may just be able to help tackle some of these issues. VWS is providing Wellness Through Nature Programs for migrant farm working families and others throughout Monterey and the Salinas Valley. The program includes direct services for youth and families; transportation and entrance fees; materials and resources in Spanish for distribution within health clinics to assist doctors to refer patients; program support for doctors to become involved; and expanding collaborations. VWS is looking for motivated, bilingual English / Spanish students interested in assisting our staff with the development of this innovative program-focus.

Key Responsibilities: Work with VWS staff and collaborators to develop and provide meaningful outdoor experiences that increase participant wellness; Interact with and get feedback from Spanish speaking families on program experiences; Develop materials and activities for participants, and for distribution at local clinics; Assist with the development of innovative and meaningful outdoor education programs with a focus on wellness.

Desired Intern Characteristics: Our ideal intern will be bilingual English and Spanish; self-motivated; flexible; adaptable; open to learning; drawn to share nature with and serve others, work with children and families and to increase community wellness; part of the Salinas community, or similar lived experience; interested in program development and non-profit work.

Special Considerations: Bilingual English and Spanish is preferred but not required.

Interprofessional opportunities available for the student: We are a conservation non-profit focusing conserving native wildlife and their habitats through science, education and collaboration. Through this internship there may be opportunities to learn more about non-profit management, education and outreach, multi-agency collaborations and species recovery.

The following CHHS Competencies that the student will be exposed to:
- Cross Cultural Competency
- Knowledge of Health & Human Services (SW or CH)
- Personal & Professional Communication