Mukwonago River Watershed Land Management Intern
The Nature Conservancy
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Mukwonago Land Management Intern works with the Southeast Wisconsin Stewardship Coordinator and other staff to maintain habitat quality and manage preserves in the Mukwonago River Watershed. The intern will conduct land management work on TNC preserves, assist with preventing and controlling aquatic invasive species (AIS) and assist with agricultural research.
This is a full-time, 12-week summer internship position with an approximate start date of June 1st, working 35 hours a week from June through August 2026. This position is paid $17.00 per hour. Housing is not provided, and transportation to and from the office and work sites is the responsibility of the applicant.
General Land Management: (50%)
Participate in field work such as restoring oak savannas and prairies, removing invasive species, maintaining trails and signs, and removing interior fencing on preserves.
Operate equipment such as tractors, UTVs, mechanical brush cutters, chainsaws and apply herbicide.
Assist the Stewardship Coordinator with implementing ecological monitoring on the preserves
Agricultural Research (30%)
Assist local agricultural partners with data collection and field work associated with field trials, including aspects of the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program, cover crops, no-till data collection.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS): (20%)
Assist with public outreach on invasive species by working at a boat launch through the Clean Boats/Clean Waters program.
Assist with mapping populations of AIS, AIS removal and raising and releasing purple loosestrife beetles.
Other:
This position will require attendance at an intern cohort orientation in Madison, WI on June 4th, 2026.
May attend an overnight TNC Wisconsin All Staff retreat scheduled for June 15-18th, 2026.
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.
Work under close or infrequent supervision.
This position may require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
We’re Looking for You:
We are looking for an intern with an interest in ecology and land management, an ability to work outdoors under challenging conditions, communicate with the public and willingness to learn.
What You’ll Bring:
High school diploma or GED and 6 months of related experience.
Must be either currently enrolled in college or graduated within 12 months with college-level coursework in natural resources, environmental studies, biology, or related field.
Experience with performing physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or inclement weather.
Experience with following instructions from colleagues and working in a team.
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.
Salary Information:
The pay for a candidate selected for this position is $17 per hour.
Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring:
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
