Urban Conservation Stewardship Intern

The Nature Conservancy - Community Stewardship Intern | Summer 2026 Metcalf Internship

Organization:
The Nature Conservancy

Intern Supervisor:
Edward Warden

Internship

Title:

Community Stewardship Program Intern

Season:
Summer – June 15 – August 21 (flexible start and end date)

Hybrid position: “onsite” work in outdoor settings, office work remote and onsite

TNC’s Chicago Urban Conservation Program builds on the Conservancy’s science‑based, collaborative, results‑oriented approach, and its record of contributing creative and effective solutions to conservation challenges. We work to achieve benefits for people and nature in Chicago and neighboring communities by increasing access to and engagement with urban nature, increasing urban biodiversity and improving community resilience and public health by implementing natural solutions as essential components of a healthy, just, climate‑resilient city.

All our work is done collaboratively in partnership with other leading agencies and organizations across Chicago and neighboring communities and aligned with environmental and social justice priorities.

The purpose of the Community Stewardship Program is to further restoration, conservation, volunteer leadership, and community engagement in Chicago Park District Natural Areas. This program is a collaboration and jointly managed by the Chicago Park District (CPD) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The Community Stewardship Program (CSP) Intern will report to both of these organizations and support the program by assisting and supporting volunteer stewards, community leaders, and park district staff in realizing community‑driven stewardship goals.

Under the direction of the CSP Manager, the CSP Intern will work in city parks, TNC offices, and CPD facilities across the city to support community stewards on workdays, maintain program data and records, manage program equipment, and assist with program outreach and promotion. Stewardship workdays incorporate a variety of activities including planting, mulching trails and trees, litter cleanups, invasive plant removal, native seed collecting, nature walks, habitat and wildlife monitoring, and other similar projects.

Stewardship workdays serve a wide audience ranging from young children to adults and a variety of groups, such as schools, community members, and corporate teams.

• Demonstrate working knowledge of ecology and environmental issues in Chicago
• Build an understanding of how government agencies and mission‑driven non‑profits collaborate to advance conservation work
• Understand basic principles of community engagement and community building

• Support community stewards by delivering necessary supplies, providing volunteer oversight, connecting volunteers with training/learning resources, providing administrative support, assisting with workday promotion, and other logistical support
• Help execute program operations such as supply management and logistics, program set‑up and breakdown, activity instruction, and participant monitoring and engagement
• Follow and demonstrate best practices and safety protocols during programs to ensure a fun and safe workday experience
• Attend and represent CPD and TNC at events by disseminating information about the stewardship program
• Assist CSP Manager in composing and distributing external communications such as promotional materials, e‑newsletters, and social media posts
• Support team in timely entry of participant data and metrics
• Build expertise on conservation, habitat restoration, general sustainable practices, and other related topics
• Interact with diverse groups of volunteers in the field
• Work alongside community stewards and CPD staff where appropriate
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive tools
• Familiarity with digital creation tools such as MS Publisher or Canva
• Strong interest in working with people, the outdoors, and the environment
• Comfortable interacting with and presenting in front of diverse audiences
• Positive attitude, sense of humor, and ability to work effectively in a team‑based environment
• Aware…