One important aspect of our educational programming is encouraging and mentoring students to follow their curiosity and continue their studies in environmental sciences. WLI shares a great interest in advancing water quality and natural resource education by providing funding for three different scholarship opportunities through The Ripple Effect Scholarship:
Internship and Scholarship Opportunities
University Student Who Completes Limnology Internship at WLI
The Whitefish Lake Institute intern experience encourages a student to learn more about limnological field data collection, data processing and analysis, and watershed processes. The intern also learns about—and participates in—the daily functioning of a non-profit. WLI attempts to match the intern with special projects and job shadows that are in their interest.
The WLI internship is unpaid. However, WLI supplies a $3000 scholarship to the intern’s college or university for tuition, or the scholarship can be applied to any coursework conducted at the University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station during the summer. The intern is responsible for travel costs to and from Whitefish. WLI requests that the intern commits to four days a week.
2024 Intern Task List
(This task list provides a framework of intern duties that are adaptive based on current projects and needs)
Administrative
- Prepare Article for May Issue of LakeFront
- Prepare Article on Internship Experience for August Issue of LakeFront
- Assist with Educational Presentations
- Literature Search on Special Topics as Assigned
- Prepare Media Coverage for Scanning and Posting
- Job-Shadow at Professional Meetings
- Cleaning of WLI vehicles and boats
Field
- Assist in Whitefish Area Baseline Sampling (Whitefish Lake and Area Streams).
- Assist the Northwest Montana Lakes Network Sample Collection for 41 Lakes in NW Montana.
- Wetland Property Maintenance (post restoration material clean-up, weeding).
- Job-Shadow Participating Science Advisory Committee Members and other local natural resource professionals.
- Collect macroinvertebrate samples on local streams.
- Assist with educational events for K-12.
View Past Interns
Scholarship/Stipend Amount: $2500
Application: Cover Letter, WLI Application or University Specific Intern Application, Professor Reference, Transcripts, Essay – Due March 15th
Internship ApplicationHigh School Student Entering a Two or Four-Year Curriculum Majoring in an Environmental Sciences Field
This scholarship is available to any Columbia Falls or Whitefish High School senior who is entering a two or four year college with plans to major in an environmental science field. Eligible majors include; environmental science/studies, environmental engineering, biology, and sustainability. Other majors will be considered if they demonstrate a link to an environmental emphasis.
Scholarship Amount: $500
Application: WLI Application, Two Teacher References, Transcripts, Essay – Due April 15th
Scholarship ApplicationGraduate Thesis or Dissertation
Students with thesis proposals specific to Whitefish area water resources are encouraged to submit inquiries to WLI for consideration. Support to a thesis may be financial, advisory, and/or equipment to assist in their study design and execution.
Scholarship Amount: TBD
Application: Contact WLI for thesis or dissertation consideration
Contact UsSolicitation
All scholarships will be advertised on the WLI website and in the quarterly newsletter LakeFront. The Whitefish and Columbia Falls School District will post the high school graduate scholarship. Teachers, professors and specific colleges and universities will be made aware of the Internship opportunity. Graduate thesis opportunities are communicated directly with university professors.
