Interpretive Intern Program at Washington State Parks
Washington State Parks Foundation donors have supported interpretive intern programs since 2017, transforming park visits into memorable learning experiences while cultivating the next generation of public lands stewards. Pictured to the right are interns Ellie Rush, Olivia Pare and Shannon Allen, who served Upper Cowlitz area state parks in summer 2025.
- Alysa Adams
Interpretive programs are at the heart of learning and discovery in state parks. When parks get busy, this can limit the capacity for ranger talks and educational programming. This is where interns save the day, delivering educational talks, interpretive activities, and wayfinding for park visitors.
Washington State Parks Foundation donors have made this transformative program possible since 2017. Interpretive interns have served Upper Cowlitz Area parks, including Mount St. Helen's Visitor Center, Lewis and Clark State Park, and Ike Kinswa State Park, while Deception Pass has hosted a sustainability-focused interns.
The Upper Cowlitz area’s intern program is one of the only natural resources-related internships in the region and is quickly growing in popularity. Thanks to interns' work, visitors have an abundance of
opportunities to learn about the natural world at these iconic parks,
including the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, old-growth forests, and
wildlife. The interpretive opportunities interns offer deepen the connection visitors make with parks and help create lifelong memories.
Sustainability interns also make a lasting impact in parks by sharing recycling best practices with campers. Interns spend time both helping campers sort waste and engaging them with activities about impact of plastic on ocean ecosystems. Recycling efforts at Deception Pass State Park have historically been difficult because of limited recycling services in Island County and the staff labor it takes to sort waste, so this program critical to diverting more waste to recycling.
Intern programs in Washington State Parks are rare but incredibly powerful; the investment in these young leaders goes far beyond just one summer. Many state parks interns go on to work in public lands, natural resources, and outdoor recreation, revealing the lasting impact these programs have on young people interested in the field. This is a win-win-win for intern program participants, state parks, and visitors like you.
As the program grows, visitors, park staff, and interns alike reap continued benefits of their learning and connection in the outdoor world.
