Jennifer Covert writes about her experience as a Zeitz Foundation Intern

Twelve months ago I signed up for my last seminar class required by my graduate program. Little did I realize that when I signed up for a semester long course, I was actually signing up for a year long commitment with the Zeitz Foudnation and their Long Run Destinations initiative. As most students are when signing up for their last course schedule, I was excited - I could taste the gratification of completing my master's degree in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS).

MIIS is located in one of the most beautiful areas of California, is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, and is considered home to students from every continent. Students can specialize in a variety of specialties, ranging from, amongst others, conflict resolution, public administration, trade negotiations, and the environment. The environmental policy program at MIIS focuses on merging the importance of preserving our natural world while also emphasizing human decisions and the impacts that the environment has on society. Jeff Langholz, a faculty member of the environmental policy department would be teaching the Protected Area Policy seminar that I had signed up for. Topics in this class ranged from sustainable use and conservation, the costs and benefits of private parks and ecotourism and ecoagriculture, along with many other pertinent issues.

It was through this class, and specifically Jeff Langholz, that I began working on a project with the Zeitz Foundation in February, which then developed into an internship. The primary focus of my internship has been to research agroforestry methods across a variety of ecosystems where Long Run Destination are located. Agroforestry is an integrated approach of combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock; the benefits of introducing an agroforestry program into an area are many. Ecologically, such systems provide for increased biodiversity and species richness by eliminating existing fragmented habitat, protecting watersheds, reducing soil erosion, and increasing carbon sequestration. Economically agroforestry increases resilience to the impact of climactic fluctuations, which can result in periodic crop failures, and allows for a more diverse means of income.

My assignment has been to find out everything there possibly is to know about agroforestry from existing literatrue, compile it all, packaging them into a thorough manual from which Long Run Destinations can learn how to integrate agroforestry systems into their privately managed natural area. This manual will contain program management information, species information and guide each Long Run Destination to create an approach specific to their needs and ecosystem. When a Long Run Destination integrates an agroforestry system onto their privately managed natural area, they will become a member of the environmental community dedicated to sustainable biodiversity protection and fighting and adapting to climate change.

I feel lucky to have had a sneak peak into what a Long Run Destination is and to have had an effect on what one can also become. As my internship winds down and I have time to reflect over the past year, I realize how much of a reciprocal relationship this internship turned out to be. My internship taught me a considerable amount about what it takes to create a cohesive manual accessible to others unfamiliar with the topic - a significant task when there is so much information out there! It also provided me with a glimpse of what program development entails. For the Zeitz Foundation, I have created a tool that they will offer to their Long Run Destination members. While I did have my own project to focus on, I also gained insight to and have been a part of the development of a foundation and an initiative, fine tuning concepts and ideas. Albeit an intern, I was treated as a member of the Zeitz Foundation team and it has been an exciting and rewarding experience.