Land Stewardship Internship

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is offering a Land Stewardship Internship for college students in Iowa, focusing on restoring native landscapes. Interns will work across four regions, engaging in tasks like invasive species removal and habitat management. The internship runs from May 18 to August 6, 2026, with a pay of $15 per hour. Applicants must have a vehicle for travel and may require camping.
LAND STEWARDSHIP INTERNSHIP

Help restore Iowa’s natural beauty while learning about ecology, land management, and wildlife as a land stewardship intern! As an INHF intern, you’ll be part of one of the most respected internship programs in the state.

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION

Land stewardship interns work to maintain and restore native landscapes across Iowa in four distinct regions: Central Iowa, Eastern Iowa, Loess Hills, and the Blufflands. Interns conduct land management and restoration on prairies, woodlands, oak savannas, and other natural areas owned or protected by INHF, using a variety of hand tools and chainsaws. They work closely with landowners and conservation professionals, gaining valuable experience that meets many college credit requirements.

WORK EXAMPLES
• Mechanically removing eastern red cedars and other woody species from prairies and woodlands
• Hand pulling invasive species such as wild parsnip and sweet clover
• Engaging in tasks like stream bank stabilization, fire break construction, wildlife habitat management, and prairie seed collection

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

This physically demanding internship requires fit, motivated individuals with a positive attitude and eagerness to learn. Applicants must be college students (from freshmen to graduate level) and most positions require an Iowa connection, except for those in the Loess Hills region. A working vehicle is necessary for travel between various work sites, and occasional camping is required.

REGIONAL CREW DETAILS

The internship is organized across four regions in Iowa:
• Central: Areas near Des Moines with headquarters at Snyder Heritage Farm in Elkhart. Housing is available and interns camp for 5-6 weeks.
• Eastern: A 12-county area near Iowa City with limited camping and no housing provided.
• Loess Hills: A 13-county area near Pisgah where housing may be available and limited camping occurs.
• Blufflands: A 7-county area with headquarters in Decorah; no housing is offered and camping is limited.

HOURS AND COMPENSATION

The internship runs from May 18, 2026 to August 6, 2026 (11 weeks in total with the week of July 4th off). Work weeks consist of 10-hour days from Monday through Thursday, with a compensation rate of $15 per hour.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applications for summer 2026 are due by February 2, 2026. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and two letters of recommendation (including one from a college instructor) via the INHF website. For questions about the application process, please contact Kari Walker, Human Resources Director, at kwalker@inhf.org.