The environment touches every part of our lives, from the air we breathe to the ecosystems that sustain us. If you’re curious about wildlife, climate, conservation, or sustainability, getting real-world experience in environmental science can be exciting, eye-opening, and career-shaping.
Why are fall internships a great choice?
Fall internships offer a short, accessible chance to dive into meaningful projects while balancing your school schedule. Running from late September through November or December, these opportunities let you engage in work. Unlike the intense pace of summer programs, fall internships often have smaller cohorts and a steadier schedule, giving you more time to learn, experiment, and collaborate. You’ll gain practical skills in research, data analysis, and communication while seeing firsthand how professionals tackle today’s environmental challenges.
Ready to begin? Explore this list of top 13 fall environmental internships for high school students!
13 Fall Environmental Internships for High School Students
1. San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Conservation Corps
Location: San Diego Zoo Safari Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Dates: Spring and Fall semesters
Application deadline: Applications for the Fall semester open in August
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Conservation Corps is a field-based learning program that enables high school students to examine environmental issues through direct involvement in conservation projects. Throughout the experience, participants contribute to community-driven efforts around San Diego County, supporting habitat restoration, sustainability practices, and local wildlife protection. You’ll also attend workshops led by experts in animal welfare, ecology, and environmental management, learning how professional conservationists balance the needs of humans and wildlife. While the program does not involve direct animal handling, it covers broader conservation strategies such as ecosystem management and species preservation.
2. Bronx Zoo Project TRUE Internship
Location: New York City
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Dates: Fall Program: September – December
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomore and juniors in good standing who are residents of the Bronx
Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology) is a paid internship run by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo Education team in partnership with Fordham University. Designed for Bronx-based sophomores and juniors, the program engages students in authentic ecological fieldwork throughout New York City. You’ll conduct studies on local biodiversity, invasive species, or water quality, learning methods of data collection, statistical analysis, and scientific communication. Interns present their findings at research symposia and public events, strengthening their confidence and outreach abilities. The program also builds long-term connections through the WCS Youth Network and the Pinkerton Fellowship, which support continued involvement in environmental science.
3. Dolphin Research Center Internships
Location: Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Dates: 16-18 weeks (varies by term)
Application deadline: June 15 for the Fall term
Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide who can read, speak, and understand English and are physically fit for the demands of the job
The Dolphin Research Center in Florida provides intensive 16–18 week internships that allow you to learn about marine mammal care, education, and conservation research. You have to commit to a full-time, 40-hour week, dividing your time between specialized departments such as Animal Care and Training, Research, or Education. Four days a week are spent working within a primary department, while one day is reserved for rotating assignments that offer insight into the wider operations of the center.
4. Vermont Audubon – Youth Conservation Interns
Location: Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, Vermont
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Dates: Opportunities in fall, spring, and summer
Application deadline: Varies by semester
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–25
Audubon Vermont’s Youth Conservation Internships offer paid, semester-long experiences that blend environmental education, conservation, and policy work. Participants collaborate with conservation professionals on hands-on projects such as habitat restoration, forest monitoring, and ecological data collection, gaining insight into Vermont’s natural landscapes. Depending on your track, you may assist in lesson planning for school programs, contribute to wildlife policy research, or help with field-based environmental monitoring.
5. Minnesota Zoo Internships
Location: Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Dates: Year-round opportunities
Application deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: Varies by position
The Minnesota Zoo provides paid internships that allow students to explore careers in animal care, marine biology, and conservation science. Working alongside zookeepers, veterinary technicians, and biologists, interns assist in daily care routines, educational outreach, and environmental research initiatives. Depending on the position, you might help maintain animal habitats, support conservation awareness programs, or participate in data collection for marine or terrestrial species.
6. Shaw Institute for Field Training (SIFT)
Location: Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit, MO
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Dates: Activities are organised from June to April
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 10–11
The Shaw Institute for Field Training (SIFT) is a paid environmental research program hosted at the Shaw Nature Reserve in Missouri. It begins with a week-long June training session, where you learn key field research techniques, including identifying plants and animals, collecting ecological data, and using scientific tools like compasses and GPS. Following training, you participate in fieldwork throughout the summer and school year at sites such as the Tyson Research Center, where they assist with invasive species management, habitat restoration, and biodiversity monitoring.
7. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue Internships
Location: Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, Indian Trail, NC
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Dates: Two 90-day sessions run each year, one in spring/summer and one in fall/winter
Application deadline: Applications open in January for the spring/summer session and in July for the fall/winter session; rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school and college students aged 16 and above with a strong interest in animal care
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center, offers immersive internships for students interested in zoology, ecology, or pre-veterinary studies. As an intern, you’ll assist in caring for birds and small mammals–especially songbirds and domestic fowl–while learning essential wildlife rehabilitation techniques. Under the supervision of veterinarians and licensed staff, you’ll gain hands-on experience in feeding, habitat enrichment, medication preparation, and health assessments. Training may include calculating dosages, administering fluids, and assisting in triage procedures for injured wildlife. The internship also exposes you to the daily operations of a rescue facility, from maintaining enclosures to managing patient data.
8. New York City Department of Parks and Recreation – Ranger Conservation Corps Internship
Location: New York City parks, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid volunteer position
Dates: 8 weeks in the fall (one day a week, on a school day afternoon for 2 to 2.5 hours)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: NYC residents in grades 9–12
The Ranger Conservation Corps Internship connects New York City high school students with Urban Park Rangers to work on environmental restoration and stewardship projects in city parks. You meet once a week after school for around two hours, assisting with habitat improvement and ecological maintenance tasks in urban natural areas. Participants gain an understanding of the challenges of conserving biodiversity in metropolitan settings and contribute directly to local sustainability efforts.
9. Internships at Anderson Humane – Wildlife Care Technician Internship
Location: Anderson Humane Rehabilitation Center, Elburn, IL
Cost/Stipend: $35 membership fee | Unpaid
Dates: August – October (Fall)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
Anderson Humane’s Wildlife Care Technician Internship offers you an opportunity to gain direct experience in wildlife rehabilitation and animal welfare. Each year, interns assist in caring for over 3,000 rescued animals under the supervision of licensed wildlife rehabilitators at facilities in South Elgin and Elburn, Illinois. You’ll rotate through multiple areas over several weeks, helping with feeding routines, habitat cleaning, and medical care tasks such as fluid therapy, wound treatment, and administering medications.
10. Alley Pond’s Field Biology Internships
Location: Alley Pond Environmental Center, Douglaston, NY
Cost/Stipend: $150 | Unpaid
Dates: Saturdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, with specific dates being
- September 27
- October 4, 11, 18, 25
- November 1
Application deadline: August 1
Eligibility: High school students ages 14+
The Alley Pond Environmental Center’s Field Biology Internship (FBI) introduces you to the methods and practices of field research in urban ecosystems. Based in Queens, New York, this program focuses on exploring local environments such as wetlands, forests, and ponds while developing skills in data collection, biodiversity assessment, and ecological analysis. You can participate in activities such as wildlife observation, water and soil testing, and plant identification, translating classroom concepts into hands-on research experience. You’ll also engage with local environmental professionals, attend workshops, and collaborate with mentors and peers.
11. Wildlife Encounters Internships
Location: Wildlife Encounters, Gretna, NE
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Dates: Year-round opportunities available; flexible schedule
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; students must email their resume to [email protected]
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and enrolled in a college or high school
The program is structured around your academic interests, allowing you to focus on areas like animal husbandry, enrichment, public outreach, or educational program planning. You can help prepare diets for animal ambassadors, clean enclosures, design enrichment activities, and support curriculum or social media projects for wildlife education programs. Those interested in communication may also assist with public speaking and event facilitation. By adapting tasks to individual learning goals, Wildlife Encounters engages you in a tailored experience.
12. The Maryland Zoo – Zoo Teen Volunteer Program
Location: The Maryland Zoo, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid, qualifies for service learning hours
Dates: Year-round volunteer commitment
Application deadline: April 11
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–17
The Maryland Zoo’s Zoo Teen Volunteer Program allows you to explore conservation, animal care, and environmental education through structured volunteer work. You begin as Zoo Guides, engaging with visitors and sharing information about animal exhibits and the zoo’s conservation initiatives. After completing initial requirements, volunteers may choose to specialize in either the Guest Engagement or Conservation and Research tracks, depending on their interests. The program includes formal training sessions, leadership development, and opportunities to assist with special events throughout the year.
13. United Planet – Virtual Internship & Virtual Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Virtual
Cost: $800 – $2300 with a $300 deposit to lock your spot (depending on duration); scholarships available | Unpaid
Dates: Flexible (varies based on session)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are 16 and above and professionals worldwide
United Planet’s Virtual Internship and Volunteer Opportunities enable students to collaborate remotely with international nonprofits on projects that have environmental and social impact. Depending on the placement, you may assist with research, program coordination, or communications related to topics like climate action, sustainable agriculture, or community development. You will receive online training and ongoing mentorship to ensure meaningful engagement with host organizations. Some placements may also offer academic credit, allowing students to connect practical experience with academic goals in environmental studies and global sustainability.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like environmental science, conservation, ecology, or sustainability, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – United Planet