Climate Adaptation Intern Program

We train USU undergraduates to meaningfully engage with climate adaptation issues in Utah and the Intermountain West.

Overview:

In January 2024, the Climate Adaptation Intern Program (CAIP) was created within USU Extension to meet Utah’s growing need for climate adaptation planning. In a semester-long, cohort-style program, Dr. Scott Hotaling, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Watershed Sciences and USU’s Climate Resiliency Extension Specialist, and Dr. Kendall Becker, the CAIP Coordinator, train USU undergraduates from a variety of disciplines in climate adaptation planning to create fact sheets, decision tools, websites, and other resources specific to the unique needs of Utah and the surrounding region. The goal of CAIP is to provide Utah’s leaders, state agencies, businesses, and residents with the resources and information they need to make intentional changes to ease the economic, social, health, and environmental burdens of climate change. Concurrent goals of the program are to train the next generation of climate adaptation experts in Utah, connect interns to Extension as a career, and evaluate the efficacy of a semester-long program that engages undergraduates with climate adaptation issues.

How do I become a CAIP Intern?

CAIP interns are USU undergraduates hired from all fields of study. Interns receive hourly compensation to develop their research and communication skills during 14 weekly meetings and to spend about 6 hours per week working on a project of their choice.

Benefits to interns include training in climate change science and communication skills, stronger connections with USU faculty and staff, a published fact sheet or other deliverable, and involvement with a community of peers who are also motivated by climate change issues.

Job ads are posted on Aggie Handshake in July and October each year. If you would like to be notified about job postings or other relevant opportunities, please fill out this form.

How do I propose a project topic?

Whenever possible, interns are connected with topic experts so that the fact sheet or other product they workshop during the program can be verified prior to publication. If you would like to serve as a mentor and/or have a project idea to propose, please fill out this form by July 1st (for fall semester) or by November 1st (for spring semester).

If you would like to fund an intern (~$4,500) to create a fact sheet or other deliverable as part of a broader impact for a specific grant, please contact Dr. Scott Hotaling (scott.hotaling@usu.edu) and Dr. Kendall Becker (kendall.becker@usu.edu).

Intern-Led Products:

Michaels, Katherine et al. (2024) "Cap-and-Trade Carbon Pricing in Utah: Challenges and Potential Impact"
Clark, Charlotte et al. (2024) "Policies and Programs for Water-Wise Residential Landscaping in Utah"
Smith, Mercy et al. (2024) "Climate Change and the Logan River: Past, Present, and Future"
Storrud, Signee et al. (2024) "Artificial Carbon Sequestration in Utah"
Erwin, Isabella et al. (2024) "Sustainable Transportation: Transforming Utah Through Community Action"
Cameron, Rose et al. (2024) "Could a Carbon Tax Improve Utah's Air Quality and Mitigate Climate Change?"
Francis, Chloe et al. (2024) "Irrigation Companies and the Great Salt Lake: Managing Water in Utah Amidst Climate Change"
Conger, Lydia et al. (2024) Lesson plan for 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade: "How We Adapt to Floods"

Products Interns Contributed To:

Hotaling, Scott et al. (2024) "Recent Climate Change in Utah, 1870-2023"
Hotaling, Scott et al. (2024) "Rock Glaciers in Utah"

Sponsors:

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Contact

Dr. Scott Hotaling Assistant Prof. of Watershed Sciences, Climate Resiliency Extension Specialist Office Location: BNR 361 Email: scott.hotaling@usu.edu	Dr. Kendall Becker Climate Adaptation Intern Program Coordinator Email: kendall.becker@usu.edu