Voyageurs Conservancy (VC) is the official nonprofit partner of the park, while Voyageurs National Park is a nationally run park under the broader National Park Service. The two organizations have a formal partnership for the Voyageurs Classroom and Field Fellowship programs. 

VC administers the program, provides professional development opportunities for fellows, and handles stipend payments, hiring logistics, and human resources. VC staff may also supervise Field Fellows depending on the position.

Voyageurs National Park provides housing (position dependent), supervision of positions, day to day tasks, and final hiring decisions.

A link to your agreement has been provided in your welcome email. If you have trouble accessing it, reach out for assistance.

Please review, sign, and ensure your contact information (email, phone number, permanent and summer addresses) is accurate.

You can return your signed agreement by:

• Scanning and emailing it, or

• Dropping off a hard copy at the desk of Jesse Gates at the NPS Headquarters building
  

Stipends are distributed according to the schedule outlined in your contract. Payments are issued via direct deposit through Gusto, Voyageurs Conservancy’s payroll provider.

You will receive an onboarding email from Gusto with instructions to:

• Complete your W-9 form electronically

• Enter your banking information for direct deposit

Use an address where you can reliably receive mail in January 2027.

Field Fellows are not employees of Voyageurs Conservancy and are classified as Non-Employee Contractors and will receive a 1099-MISC form (not a W-2).

The 1099-NEC will be mailed by January 31 the year following your fellowship term. If your mailing address changes, contact Nicole to update it. The IRS does not forward tax documents in the mail, so let Nicole know any address updates by the end of the calendar year.

Example: Summer 2026 fellows will receive their form by January 31, 2027.

Yes. Your stipend is considered earned income, and you will need your 1099-MISC to file your taxes.

Approximately 10% of your work time (about 4 hours per week) is dedicated to professional development. This includes:

• Three cohort-wide professional development sessions throughout the season

• Time to work on your portfolio project

• Resume building

• Job shadowing with National Park Service staff

• Other opportunities as directed by your supervisor

This time may be distributed flexibly based on your schedule.

The first Field Fellow cohort day is Thursday, June 25. More details and summer professional development dates will be shared soon.

Yes! Every year the National Park Service walks in the International Falls 4th of July parade! Fellows in town are encouraged to attend and march – it’s a great opportunity to connect with the community. Fellows may also be asked to participate in events based on their position and interests. To see Voyageurs Conservancy’s full event schedule, click here.

Breanna Trygg, Associate Director, oversees the Field Fellows program and will be your main point of contact throughout the summer. Expect communication about professional development sessions, portfolio preparation, end-of-season presentations, and general support.

For questions about stipends or forms, contact Nicole Anderson Davis, Operations Manager, at ndavis@voyageurs.org.

If you have specific questions about your position’s day-to-day tasks, reach out to your direct supervisor.