Clean Interns Make an Impact

The Clean Foundation recently wrapped up the Clean Leadership Summer Internship program and what a tremendous success the program was again this year. Youth leaders across the province dedicated their summer to supporting their local communities and making Nova Scotia a cleaner place! Altogether, 124 youth interns worked to make an impact at 76 different host organizations.

If you haven’t heard of the Clean Intern Program, it’s a great opportunity for Nova Scotian youth aged 15-30 to work in the environmental field. Interns are placed with organizations for 9-week or 15-week work terms where they receive paid, hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development training. The types of work placements vary from waste management to clean energy, food security to climate change mitigation, and much more.

Divert NS provided funding to support 12 interns in various waste management positions across the province. We were amazed by the impact these students had as they organized litter clean ups, undertook curbside inspections of recyclables, and participated in special educational events within their local communities.

One intern, Jazmin Wamboldt, with the Municipality of East Hants, focused on reducing litter in the municipality as well as ensuring public sorting of garbage is done correctly. To achieve this goal, Jazmin created litter kits, filled with content designed by her (eagerly demonstrating her design skills). Another intern, Jordan Veinot with Region 6 Inter-Municipal Committee, drafted a Fishing Rope Diversion Pilot Project for the Municipality of Barrington. Drafting a project proposal, she included a cost benefit analysis, and program guidelines. As part of her outreach and engagement responsibilities, Jordan also facilitated the planning process for five potential clean-ups in the Municipality of Shelburne.

To learn more about the Clean Intern Program and many other exciting programs offered by Clean Foundation visit: cleanfoundation.ca