Urban Land Stewardship and Engagement Intern

The Urban Land Stewardship and Engagement Intern will have a summer experience working on community-based conservation efforts happening in Milwaukee with a focus on neighborhood-based tree planting projects and other land stewardship and green infrastructure maintenance opportunities with TNC and its partners. This position will also provide field experiences and formal paid training opportunities in conservation related topics and skills. This is a full-time 35 hours a week summer internship position working from June to August 2026. This position is paid $17.00 per hour.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Work outside and do physical work to care for the natural environment including native plant and tree planting, landscaping and maintenance is a must.
• Reviewing, researching, analyzing, and developing written plans and reports related to environmental or conservation fields of study.
• Performing basic tasks on a computer like word-processing and email.
• Availability to attend a mandatory intern cohort orientation in Madison, WI in early June.
• Availability to attend all or a portion of multi-day TNC Wisconsin All Staff retreat scheduled for June 15 – 18, 2026.
• Applicants must have reliable transportation for commuting to and from the office and work sites on a daily basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• May interact with volunteers, and community partners.
• Works in dynamic environments where work is completed in team settings, with close supervisor direction, or self-directed depending on the project.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations for long periods of time in isolated settings, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Requires some physical exertion and/or muscular strain. 

What You’ll Bring:

• High school diploma or GED and 6 months of related experience
• Experience performing physical tasks, sometimes under adverse conditions or inclement weather.
• Experience following instructions from colleagues and working on team projects.
• Experience using computers, including internet, word-processing, and email programs.
• Must have access to reliable transportation that provides for a daily commute to and from the TNC workspace located at 247 W. Freshwater Way, Milwaukee, WI 53203.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• May be either currently enrolled in college or graduated within 12 months with college-level coursework in natural resources, environmental studies, biology, or related field, or similar field experience.
• Experience collecting and/or analyzing field data.
• Experience, familiarity and comfort with doing basic land stewardship including invasive plant species removal, plant and tree identification, tree planting (i.e. whips, 2in diameter, and ball and burlap), tree care (i.e. basic pruning, etc.)
• Experience working in a team setting, with volunteers and community-based organizations from socially and economically vulnerable communities.
• Ability to communicate with and plan conservation activities with community-based groups and resident volunteers, and where cross-cultural communication may be necessary.
• Experience coordinating volunteers and volunteer activities.
• Access to basic personal safety equipment and outdoor supplies (i.e. work boots, weather appropriate clothing, head gear) Other supplies like safety googles, hand tools, gloves and other supplies will be provided by TNC.

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page under the FAQ section. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.