The National Audubon Society’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the Earth’s biological diversity.

For over a century, Audubon has been a leading voice encouraging conservation of precious habitat and wildlife for future generations. Audubon’s earliest noted success came in 1900, when members urged Congress to pass legislation making interstate trafficking of illegally killed birds and animals a crime, while prohibiting the importation of non-native and potentially invasive species. Today’s environmental challenges are far more profound, and Audubon’s collective voice is more essential than ever.

In the recent past, Congress had increasingly focused on rolling back environmental protections, often at the behest of special interest and industry groups. This has been especially true on key issues, such as protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and retaining legal protections for threatened and endangered species. Audubon’s policy efforts continue to work with Congressional leaders, agency officials and other environmental groups to secure the best possible policy outcomes for birds, wildlife and habitat protection.

Audubon’s public policy office in Washington, DC works to ensure our great natural heritage endures for generations. Audubon’s Washington, DC policy office has had a public policy internship program for over 30 years, and the program continues to be one of the leading conservation policy experiences that Washington, DC has to offer.

See National Audubon Society internships.