Winous Point Marsh Conservancy Student Internship
The Winous Point Marsh Conservancy (WPMC), located just outside Port Clinton in Ottawa County, Ohio, is a non-profit conservation organization that maintains and manages Ohio’s largest privately-owned wetland complex. WPMC was established in 1999 to increase the natural resource contributions of the Winous Point Shooting Club, a private duck-hunting club founded in 1856 that has funded wetlands and wildlife research and training programs since 1949. WPMC conducts a variety of wetlands and waterfowl research projects in cooperation with state and academic partners, delivers conservation education programs, and manages and maintains 3000 acres of diked impoundments to achieve a variety of game and non-game wildlife wetland habitat goals.
Two internship positions are available, summer and fall. Both internships will allow students to gain field experience in wetlands and wildlife management, assist with graduate and other wildlife research projects, network with wildlife and conservation professionals, and to pursue their own research and learning goals, especially for those interested in post-graduate studies. The fall internship will also include additional customer service and hospitality duties associated with duck hunting season. The internship duties are highly diverse and can be tailored to individual interests and skills to the extent possible. In addition to the suite of ongoing management and research at WPMC, Interns will have work-day opportunities to volunteer with nearby state and federal wildlife areas, conservation districts, and on-site wildlife researchers to further their experience.
From May – August the internships generally are regular workweek jobs with rare but occasional early/late and/or weekend hours. During the September to December hunting season, the fall intern will be required to be on the premise and work early and late six to seven days a week. WPMC interns will live in provided furnished dormitory quarters, including kitchen and laundry, along with other interns, technicians, and graduate students.
Wildlife Research and Monitoring (65%) – Interns will assist with waterfowl, waterbird, and shorebird banding; waterbird and wetland habitat surveys; mapping of invasive plant species; sampling for avian flu; and will be encouraged to conduct an individual wildlife research project and wetland plant collection. Interns will also assist with the delivery of several conservation education events.
Habitat Management (15%) – Service water-level control structures; disc, mow, seed, and conduct controlled burns and other marsh management actions; utilize tractors, backhoe, chainsaws, and backpack chemical sprayers; assist with invasive species control.
Grounds Maintenance (10%) – Perform painting and light construction, lawn mowing, weed trimming, pressure washing, and other miscellaneous grounds and buildings maintenance work. Hunting Season Preparation
(10%) – Cut shooting holes; build blinds and docks; maintain decoys and boats.
Hunting Season Duties (fall intern only) – stack firewood; maintain duck cleaning facility; fuel boats and vehicles; package game; license sales and records bookkeeping. A WPMC internship is a physically demanding job.
Applicants should expect to routinely lift heavy loads, traverse marshy terrain, and perform physical labor. A WPMC internship can be as rewarding as you are willing to make it, many opportunities exist at Winous Point and nearby public areas to meet and assist wildlife professionals with their research and conservation activities.
Application Process – Please mail or email (preferred) a cover letter outlining your interest, a resume, and three references to: John Simpson, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy, 3500 S Lattimore Road, Port Clinton, OH 43452. john@winous.org; (419) 341-5460.
The deadline for applications is January 15th of each year and we will arrange personal interviews and hire shortly thereafter.
Thank you,
John Simpson, Executive Director
Brendan Shirkey, Research Director
CJ White, Facilities Manager
- Posted: December 16, 2025
- Job Type: Internship
- Application deadline: 01/15/2026
- Organization: Winous Point Marsh Conservancy
- Qualifications: Working on a Bachelor’s or advanced graduate (preferred) degree in wildlife conservation, ecology, biology, environmental science, or related field
- How to apply: Please mail or email (preferred) a cover letter outlining your interest, a resume, and three references to: John Simpson, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy, 3500 S Lattimore Road, Port Clinton, OH 43452. john@winous.org; (419) 341-5460.
- Location: Port Clinton OH
Contact Information
John Simpson
Winous Point Marsh Conservancy
3500 S Lattimore RD
Port Clinton, OH
43452
US
+16122327154
john@winous.org