Ecology and Conservation Internship

Who we are:
The Nature Center at Greenburgh (Nature Center) is the non-profit behind the operations and educational initiatives of the Greenburgh Nature Center, in partnership with the Town of Greenburgh. Through this unique public-private collaboration, we provide exceptional programming, safeguard diverse ecosystems, and care for our beloved animal ambassadors. The Nature Center is dedicated to fostering a deep connection between people and the natural world through environmental education and ecological conservation. The Nature Center property encompasses 33 acres of preserved natural beauty, offering open spaces, forested trails, and diverse ecosystems, including a vernal pond, pollinator gardens, and a native plant meadow. Highlights of the grounds include educational features such as a Native American Replica Village, a barnyard, and demonstration gardens. Annually, the Nature Center inspires and educates over 100,000 individuals through immersive programs, a live animal museum, and a variety of interactive experiences.

Mission:
To inspire passion, curiosity, respect, and action for our natural world.

Opportunity:
8-10+ week paid Ecology & Conservation Internship(s) -Full time, multiple positions.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Work Location: In person

Purpose:
Nature Center at Greenburgh facilitates the training and knowledge-building of young professionals to become future conservationists. ECI interns are typically undergraduates, learning conservation skills between semesters, or young professionals just outside of a formal education setting. With a focus on native plants, our internship program provides hands-on training in conservation skills, applied ecology, research & data collection and facilitates the interaction with conservation practitioners throughout the region.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Skills Required

The selected candidate(s) must be able to work both independently with minimal supervision and cooperatively as a team with:

• Experience in biology, environmental science, botany, ecology, and/or natural resource management.
• Familiarity with or a desire to learn more about habitats and ecosystem restoration.
• Interest in native plants, including basic plant identification skills and garden landscaping.
• Excellent organization and high level of attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to problem-solve
• High degree of initiative
• Desire to learn and contribute

Physical Demands

• Ability to communicate with team individuals by virtual platforms, phone, email and in person.
• Working on the phone or computer for prolonged periods.
• Long hours in hot and humid conditions with possible bees, mosquitos and ticks.
• Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
• Work outdoors in variable weather conditions, on uneven terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Use handheld GPS units to inventory trees, map habitats and monitor invasive species.
• Ability to use power tools including weed-whackers and saws following completion of appropriate training.
• Supervises no staff, but will help plan and direct volunteers

Benefits

• Exposure to recreation resource management
• Will learn about native plants, habitats, and techniques for managing invasive plant species.
• Opportunities to meet and learn from professionals in the field of conservation working in nonprofits and municipal agencies.
• Gain essential skills in volunteer coordination, non-profit program administration, and cooperative management of a municipal park.
• Opportunities to attend events, meetings, as well as online training and professional development.

Time, Location and Compensation

Position is 8 – 10+ weeks in duration and is based at Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale, NY.

Flexible schedule with up to 35 hours of work per week @ $17.00/hour.

Flexible terms between May 2026 and August 2026.

The Nature Center at Greenburgh is open to working with your college advisor regarding earning course credits.

Housing is not provided for this opportunity.