Invasive Species Management and Restoration Pathway

A member of Friends of Saint Edward State Park helping remove ivy during CoSEE’s July Restoration Event in 2025.
Photo of volunteers removing invasive plants from Saint Edward State Park at CoSEE’s January Restoration Event in 2026.

This pathway focuses on community-centered invasive species management, bringing together volunteers and partner agencies to protect and restore native ecosystems. Interns lead community cleanup events, coordinate removal efforts, support park restoration, and help develop a long-term management plan for sustaining native plant communities.

Interns collaborate with CoSEE staff and state park partners to conduct hands-on restoration work and build relationships with local stakeholders. The work emphasizes community engagement, ecological stewardship, and real-world conservation practice—fostering long-term care for the natural spaces we share.

This internship isn’t reserved for the most experienced applicants. We welcome students at every stage of their learning, including those just beginning to explore this field, and no prior experience is required.

Projects may include:

  • Plan and lead community volunteer events focused on invasive species removal and native habitat restoration
  • Coordinate and conduct hands-on removal projects in partnership with state park staff and partner organizations
  • Support the development and implementation of a long-term management plan for sustaining native plant ecosystems
CoSEE’s biggest turnout at the April Restoration Work Party event, where volunteers along with CoSEE interns and staff removed English holly.
Five of CoSEE’s invasive species interns, Max (left), Savannah (second to the left), Aysha (middle), Kylie (second to the right), and Sydney (far right), attending the March Restoration Work Party event.

Past project highlights

UW Bothell student helping to re-map the entirety of Saint Edward State Park

Janelle led a team of interns to map the prevalence of three key invasive species throughout Saint Edward State Park, and contributed to a full trail re-mapping project whose files were shared directly with Washington State Parks. During her time she also led a Mapping the Park 101 events where she shared her work with the broader community.

Janelle showing a member of the community how to use ArcGIS.
Janelle, a previous CoSEE intern, leading her Mapping 101 event in 2025.

UW Bothell student broadening the reaches of invasive removal through new partnerships

Savannah helped launch CoSEE’s monthly restoration events at Saint Edward State Park, preparing sites, leading volunteers, creating flyers and materials, and growing attendance. Her work has since expanded to Lake Sammamish State Park, where she now supports restoration events and broader programming with the Friends of Lake Sammamish.

Savannah, CoSEE intern, standing in front of a huge invasive plant during one of CoSEE’s Restoration Work Parties.
Savannah in the field at Lake Sammamish State Park working on putting wire around Douglas Fir trees.

Blogs on this pathway