The Community Conservation, Data Visualization, and Mapping Externship is an 8-week virtual program co-created by the National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy, open to young people aged 18 to 25 worldwide. Unlike a general conservation introduction, this track has a specific technical focus, training participants in GIS and ArcGIS StoryMaps to turn raw environmental data into compelling, visual narratives.
It's a genuinely practical skills program, participants don't just learn about conservation, they learn to actually map and communicate real environmental issues using professional-grade tools.
Key Details
If you're interested in joining, the cohort that starts on September 14, 2026. You need to apply by August 30, 2026, through the Extern Partnership Page. This program is completely online and lasts for 8 weeks, and you'll need to dedicate 10 hours each week to it. As a bonus, you'll get a $500 stipend after you finish the program, which should help cover some of the costs for technology and internet.
Eligibility Requirements
The program is available to anyone between 18 and 25 years old, no matter where they are in the world. Since it's all online, it doesn't matter if you're in a big city or a smaller town like Freetown in Sierra Leone - you can join in just as easily as someone from a major city in the West. This particular track of the Externship program is designed to teach you everything you need to know from scratch, so you don't need to have any experience with conservation or GIS to get started.
What It Covers
For eight weeks, people taking part get to learn about GIS, which stands for Geographic Information Systems, and ArcGIS StoryMaps. These are tools that professionals use in conservation, urban planning, and environmental advocacy to make maps and reports that tell a story with data.
At the same time, they get guidance from experts in the field and work with others from around the world, which helps them build skills and learn how to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
This is a great way for young conservationists to learn and grow together, no matter where they are from. They can share ideas and learn from each other, which makes the experience even more valuable. By the end of the program, they will be able to turn data into visual maps and reports that can help make a difference in conservation and environmental efforts.
What's really important for someone from Africa is that they can use these skills to tackle local problems that affect their community. With GIS and mapping tools, they can work on issues like tracking deforestation, mapping urban heat, monitoring coastal erosion, or understanding land use changes. This means that a global training program can be adapted to have a real, tangible impact on local issues, making it more relevant and useful for African participants.
Application Process
- You must be between 18 and 25 years old to apply. Also, you need to be able to commit to working around 10 hours a week for about 8 weeks.
- Visit the official Extern Partnership Page
- Make sure to finish and send in your application by August 30, 2026.
- If accepted, the cohort begins September 14, 2026
APPLY HERE
Major Considerations
Before you sign up, consider that you'll need to dedicate 10 hours every week for 8 weeks straight. That's a big deal, and it's not something you can take lightly. This isn't a course where you can just show up and expect to learn without putting in the effort - it's a real commitment that requires your time and energy, on top of whatever else you've got going on in your life, like school or work. So, be honest with yourself: can you really keep up this pace for the whole 8 weeks, or are you going to start strong and then fade away? It's better to think carefully about this before you apply, because once you're in, you'll need to be all in.
This program stands out from other conservation efforts because of its technical focus, making it a great choice for those who want to use data, mapping, GIS, or visual storytelling to advocate for the environment.
If you're interested in these specific tools, this track is a better fit than a general introductory program. It's an educational opportunity that helps you build skills, get mentorship, and create a portfolio project, rather than a job or internship. You'll gain valuable experience and take away a lot of useful knowledge, which is the main value of this program.
Should You Apply?
This is a great opportunity for young people between 18 and 25 years old, no matter where they are in the world, including Sierra Leone and the rest of Africa. If you're interested in using data visualization, mapping, or GIS to tell stories about the environment and advocate for change, this is for you.
You'll need to be able to commit 10 hours a week for two months, but it's especially useful if you want to apply these skills to environmental issues in your own community.
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