Fostering the next generation of conservation leaders.
In 1986, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation hired its first intern. Since then, interns have made huge contributions to INHF's land restoration, communications, policy and trail programs. Now one of the most respected internship programs in the state, nearly 20 office and field interns each year learn about Iowa's native habitats, contribute to active stewardship efforts and bring INHF's work to new audiences. Learn more about the different internships INHF provides below.
Be part of a small communications team working to help Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. INHF communications interns gain valuable experience in print and digital media platforms, work within an established brand and help reach new and established audiences. Learn more about the communications internship.
Be part of a small communications team working to help Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. Design interns work on INHF’s quarterly magazine, annual calendar, outreach materials, project mailings, event collateral, web and social media graphics among other projects. Learn more about the graphic design internship.
The primary task of the conservation programs intern is to write grant proposals to fund land protection. A new role for the conservation programs intern is water sampling around Central Iowa. They may also write posts for the INHF blog, visit INHF properties, and provide other general program support. In addition to these duties, we encourage candidates to create a personal project they can share with staff at the end of their internship. This internship introduces interns to many leading members of Iowa's conservation community. Learn more about the conservation programs internship.
Land Stewardship Internships
Help restore Iowa's natural beauty while learning about land restoration, ecology and wildlife. Learn more about each regions internship below.
2024 Land Stewardship positions are all filled.
Blufflands land stewardship interns work hard to maintain and restore native landscapes while learning about ecology, land management and wildlife in extreme northeast Iowa. Interns will conduct needed land management and restoration on remnant and reconstructed prairies, woodlands, oak savannas and other natural areas owned or protected by INHF. Learn more about the Blufflands land stewardship internship.
INHF Central Iowa land stewardship interns work hard to maintain and restore native Iowa landscapes for 12 weeks each summer. Interns help manage more than 20 different sites throughout the state, camping occasionally in state/county parks and public natural areas. These interns conduct land management and restoration on prairies, wetlands, woodlands and savannas on natural areas owned or protected by INHF. Learn more about the Central Iowa land stewardship internship.
Eastern Iowa land stewardship interns work hard to maintain and restore native landscapes while learning about ecology, land management and wildlife in eastern Iowa. Interns will conduct needed land management and restoration on remnant and reconstructed prairies, wetlands, woodlands, oak savannas and other natural areas owned or protected by INHF. Learn more about the Eastern Iowa land stewardship internship.
Loess Hills land stewardship interns work hard to maintain and restore native landscapes while learning about ecology, land management and wildlife in extreme western Iowa. Interns will conduct needed land management and restoration on remnant and reconstructed prairies, woodlands, oak savannas and other natural areas owned or protected by INHF. Learn more about the Loess Hills land stewardship internship.
About INHF internships
INHF offers several paid internships ranging from communications to land stewardship opportunities. Descriptions of individual internships can be found in the navigation links above.
INHF relies on the hard work and initiative interns bring to the team — interns at INHF work on important projects and are immersed in a professional work experience. Interns write news releases and grant applications, as well as design our yearly member wall calendar and restore prairies and natural landscapes.
While at INHF, interns build their portfolios, gain valuable knowledge about Iowa’s natural environment, learn about the operations of a successful nonprofit and are welcomed as part of the team.
Eligibility requirements
Priority will be given to applicants who are attending a college or university, have recently graduated from a college/university or are otherwise on-track for a conservation-related career. This may include those who are taking a gap year.
The Blufflands Land Stewardship, Communications, Graphic Design and Conservation Programs internships require that students be attending an Iowa college or have graduated from an Iowa high school. All levels — even freshman and grad students — may apply.
Office interns should be able to work a minimum of 12 hours/week during the spring and fall semesters. Summer interns generally work 35-40 hours/week.
If you have questions about these eligibility requirements, contact us before applying.
Supporting INHF interns
Our internships are sponsored by individual INHF supporters, the Robert R. Buckmaster internships, and funded by the R.J. McElroy Trust, the Richard “Sandy” Rhodes Internship fund, Ackelson Fellowship Fund, the Gladys Black Youth Action fund, the Stravers Family Internship fund, the Ding Darling fund, and the Krumm Youth Action Fund. If you're interested in supporting our internship program, you can direct a gift to INHF internships here.