INCREASING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE THROUGH THE MOSAICS IN SCIENCE DIVERSITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Science-based careers in the National Park Service (NPS) have been generally under-represented when it comes to racial and ethnic diversity. In 2013, the National Park Service, Geologic Resources Division in collaboration with the Youth Programs Division developed the Mosaics in Science Diversity Internship Program (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/youthprograms/mosaics.htm) (MIS) to provide racially diverse youth that are under-represented in natural resource science career fields with on-the-ground experience with the National Park Service. Since its inception, the MIS program has placed more than 160 talented interns in over 90 national park units across all regions of the NPS. The program has been a life changing experience for many interns with sixteen obtaining permanent, term, or seasonal appointments, and many others continuing other internship positions with the NPS or deciding to return to school to pursue an advanced degree in a science field. The MIS Program is funded by the NPS Youth Programs Division and managed in partnership with the NPS Geologic Resources Division and Environment for the Americas. This presentation highlights the impact the MIS Program has had on increasing relevancy, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the NPS, as we build the next generation of diverse park scientists and stewards.