Marine Futures and Coast Explorers Internships
The Wildlife Trusts
Salary: Real Living Wage or London Living Wage, dependent on location
Duration: Full-time (35 or 37.5 hrs per week) fixed-term for 6 months from 15 June – 11 December 2025, (exact hours dependent on programme, see The Crown Estate Internship page).
The opportunity: A series of internships across the country offer unique opportunities to candidates who are passionate and enthusiastic about the marine environment. The Marine Futures Interns (North West, North Sea East Coast, North Wales, South Wales) and the Coast Explorer Interns (London/Kent) will gain skills, knowledge and experience across a variety of sectors in this exciting field to help direct and shape their future career ambitions.
The internships are funded by The Crown Estate and project managed by partners:
- Marine Futures North West (based out of Cumbria, Kendal), partners include The Crown Estate, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Ørsted and Natural England. Employing body: Cumbria Wildlife Trust
- Marine Futures North Sea East Coast (based out of Lincolnshire), partners include The Crown Estate, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Ørsted and Natural England. Employing body: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
- Marine Futures North Wales (based out of Anglesey), partners include The Crown Estate, North Wales Wildlife Trust, M-SParc, Menter Môn (Morlais) and Natural Resources Wales. Employing body: North Wales Wildlife Trust
- Coast Explorers (based out of London and Kent), partners include The Crown Estate, Adonis Blue Environmental Consultants (part of the Kent Wildlife Trust Group), Vattenfall and Canterbury City Council. Employing body: Adonis Blue Environmental Consultants
- Marine Futures South Wales (based out of Pembroke Dock), partners include The Crown Estate, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Natural Resources Wales, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC). Employing body: Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum
Each partner organisation provides opportunities for the intern to develop skills in specialist areas including, marine conservation advice, coastal and marine restoration, sustainable fisheries, renewable energy development, marine policy, and community engagement.
The successful interns will follow a varied schedule that will allow them to gain a range of skills and experiences including: working with a variety of teams across different sectors; writing for different audiences; working with local communities to raise awareness about environmental issues; undertaking surveys and building field skills; the use of social media in the workplace; delivering media interviews and presentations; understanding health & safety at work; and participating in online meetings, training, conferences and webinars.
The internship programmes are all unique but there is some join up and coordination across the five programmes. We encourage candidates to only apply for one internship. For full job descriptions for each programme, please see The Crown Estate Internship page.
What we are looking for: An intern who can build on their existing skills and knowledge to make the most of this unique experience. Applicants should have a good understanding of current marine issues and some experience of working or volunteering within the marine sector. Most importantly, we are looking for candidates who are passionate and enthusiastic about the marine environment and have a willingness to learn. We are looking for someone who is organised, self-motivated, and able to work well within a team both remotely and in person. A full driving licence and access to a car with business use insurance is desirable for most internship programmes.
For the North Wales programme, it is essential that the successful candidates have the ability to hold informal conversations in a work setting through the medium of Welsh, and an understanding of Welsh culture, heritage and identity.
Closing date for applications: Midnight 12 April 2026. Please do not include a CV. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Interviews: Weeks commencing the 27th April or the 4th May, depending on location
About Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Cumbria Wildlife Trust is the only voluntary organisation devoted solely to the conservation of the wildlife and wildplaces of Cumbria. The Trust stands up for wildlife, creates wildlife havens, and seeks to raise environmental awareness.
Formed in 1962 and supported by thousands of members and supporters, the Trust cares for 40 nature reserves, campaigns for the protection of endangered habitats and species such as limestone pavements and red squirrels, and works with adults and children to discover the importance of the natural world.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust is the only voluntary organisation devoted solely to the conservation of the wildlife and wildplaces of Cumbria. The Trust stands up for wildlife, creates wildlife havens, and seeks to raise environmental awareness. Formed in 1962 and supported by thousands of members and supporters, the Trust cares for 40 nature reserves, campaigns for the protection of endangered habitats and species such as limestone pavements and red squirrels, and works with adults and children to discover the importance of the natural world.
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