Minnesota DNR Now Looking To Fill 200 Paid Summer Internships

We may be experiencing bitterly cold temperatures in parts of Minnesota now, but that doesn't mean it isn't the perfect time to think about summer. The Minnesota DNR has a great way to get outside this summer and get paid to do it, and the application deadline is fast approaching.

The DNR announced recently that it is looking for "passionate and dedicated" students across the state who are interested in learning more about natural resource careers through a variety of paid summer internships.

It's a great opportunity for summer interns to receive valuable training and experience and develop key skills to contribute in important ways to the department’s mission to conserve and manage natural resources, provide outdoor recreational opportunities, and provide for commercial uses of natural resources.

Minnesota DNR Summer Internship Program

The DNR boasts that it has a wide variety of internship opportunities located throughout the state, including in fisheries, forestry, park operations, watercraft inspections, communications, and more.

Interns work 20 to 40 hours per week and receive a competitive wage of $19 per hour. It's important to note that to be considered for an internship, fulfilling an academic requirement or receiving academic credit is required.

If you'd like to see the internship opportunities and apply for those of interest, take the following steps:

Visit the state of Minnesota careers website.
Select “Search for jobs” from the toolbar.
In the External Applicants box, select “Search for jobs now” and select “View all jobs.”
Filter by “Natural Resources Dept” in the Agency category and “Student Worker and Internships” in the Job Family category.

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Internship applications will be accepted through Friday, January 31. Positions will start in May and June. Applicants seeking employment with the DNR who are not eligible for an internship are encouraged to regularly check the website for seasonal and year-round opportunities.

These Common Household Are Now Banned In Minnesota

A hot topic lately is PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals" because they are difficult for humans to detoxify and have half-lives measured in years. These chemicals accumulate in the body over time and can cause significant health issues even at low exposure levels

PFAS are commonly found in the environment and the human body and have been linked to a range of health concerns including increased cholesterol levels, potential disruption of hormone systems, reduced immune function, increased risk of certain cancers, developmental issues in children, and reproductive problems, particularly in pregnant women.

On January 1, 2024, Minnesota prohibited PFAS in firefighting foam and food packaging. The state is taking an even more aggressive stance against the chemicals in 2025.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the first prohibitions of products containing intentionally added PFAS under Amara's Law (Minn. Stat. § 116.943) are now in effect in Minnesota, meaning you can no longer legally purchase these items.

If you're wondering if you already have products with intentionally added PFAS, you can take the following steps to be sure:

Check the label - Look for products that are labeled as PFAS-free.
Check for keywords - Look for words like "waterproof," "stain-repellent," or "dirt-repellant" on the tag.
Check for ingredients - Avoid products that contain ingredients with "perfluoro" or "fluoro" in their name.
Use a third-party verification service - Some organizations offer third-party verification of products that claim to be made without PFAS.

As of January 1, 2025, you can no longer purchase products with intentionally added PFAS in Minnesota. These products fall under the 11 categories below.

Gallery Credit: David Drew