14 Environmental Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
If you’re in high school and want to learn how environmental work happens, joining a nonprofit internship can be a good starting point. These internships let you see how organizations respond to issues like climate change, conservation, and sustainable development. Through these internships, you might collect data on local ecosystems, assist in awareness campaigns, or help manage community projects. You’ll also see how teams handle planning, communication, and funding to keep environmental programs running.
These experiences also make your CV stronger and give you an edge when applying to college by demonstrating your interest in environmental sustainability. A nonprofit internship can help you assess whether you want to work in this field after college. Regardless of whether you stay in the nonprofit field, an internship will give you useful professional skills. To help you find a good fit, here are 14 environmental nonprofit internships available for high school students!
14 Environmental Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by the program; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (8-week sessions)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; competitive placements at high-growth startups
Ladder Internships is a selective program that places you in a high-growth start-up, including those focused on education, nonprofits, and social impact. As an intern, you’ll work directly with managers on real-world projects, ranging from outreach and communications to program design and operations. You’ll receive guidance from a Ladder Coach and participate in one-on-one training in skills like communication, time management, and project execution. You’ll also attend group workshops with your cohort, giving you the chance to work with peers and share ideas. Many start-ups involved are founded by leaders with ties to Y Combinator or companies like Google and Microsoft, ensuring you gain insight into professional, fast-paced environments.
2. Chicago Green Ambassadors Program – Roots & Routes Initiative & Youth Conservation Action
Location: Chicago, IL (Burnham Wildlife Corridor and surrounding neighborhoods)
Cost: Paid internship
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; typically announced each spring
Eligibility: High school and college students ages 15–22 from communities including Chinatown, Bronzeville, Little Village, Pilsen, and nearby neighborhoods
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size varies by funding and partnerships
The Chicago Green Ambassadors Program is a summer internship that gives high school students the chance to work on environmental and community projects. Led by local nonprofits and supported by the Field Museum, the program focuses on conservation, public engagement, and neighborhood renewal along the Burnham Wildlife Corridor on Chicago’s South Lakefront. As an intern, you’ll take part in hands-on stewardship activities, help with community events, and work with local partners to explore how ecology connects with civic action. You’ll build skills in environmental leadership, teamwork, and managing community-based projects.
3. Young Founders Lab (YFL)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program; Need-based financial aid available
Dates: Multiple four-week cohorts throughout the year (summer, fall, winter, spring)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited spots per cohort
The Young Founders Lab is a nonprofit internship model where high school students build start-ups under the guidance of Harvard entrepreneurs and industry mentors. Over four weeks, you’ll design, test, and refine a revenue-generating venture while learning entrepreneurial frameworks. Interactive workshops and case study sessions introduce business fundamentals such as ideation, market analysis, and financial planning. Mentorship from professionals at leading companies like Google, Microsoft, and X supports both technical and strategic development. The program culminates in a final pitch, giving you the chance to present your start-up to industry professionals.
4. Field Museum Women in Science Internships
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Typically opens in February or March
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students with an address in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Michigan; must demonstrate a strong interest in science
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohorts chosen annually
The Field Museum Women in Science Internship is a hands-on research program for high school and college students interested in exploring science through real-world projects. You might digitize insect specimens, use machine learning to study beetle patterns, or research how urban environments affect wildlife. During the internship, you build technical skills in data management, scientific writing, and research methods. You also learn how science connects to nonprofit work and education. You’ll be mentored by museum scientists and collaborate in small teams with other interns, gaining experience in both academic research and teamwork.
5. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: Fremont, CA
Cost: Paid internship; stipends available depending on project funding
Dates: Year-round research opportunities; cohorts structured by semester and summer sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by session
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 from the Bay Area, across the U.S., and internationally
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; admission based on application and project availability
The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) is a nonprofit research institute in Fremont, California, that helps high school students take part in advanced science and engineering projects. If you're interested in the environment, you might study soil DNA, urban farming, or how city growth affects wildlife. You’ll work with scientists and engineers on research teams. Depending on your project, you might do lab experiments, computer modeling, or data analysis. You’ll build skills in writing, data management, and research methods, while also learning how science connects to nonprofit work and education.
6. EnergyMag Virtual Internship Program
Location: Online/Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies by season and availability
Dates: Half-time: 2–8 weeks in summer (≈20 hours/week); Quarter-time: 1–9 months year-round (≈8 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling; summer half-time roles tend to fill earlier
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 3.25+
The EnergyMag Virtual Internship Program gives you early experience in renewable energy and sustainability. You’ll work remotely with professionals to research clean energy companies, technologies, and energy storage markets. You’ll write research reports that may be published on the EnergyMag website, helping you build skills in technical writing, data analysis, and professional communication. You’ll also strengthen your outreach abilities and learn how to apply classroom knowledge to real-world environmental challenges.
7. Interns4Good – Nonprofit Internship Program
Location: Fully remote; placements available nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment
Dates: Year-round; internship length and weekly hours vary by placement and student availability
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12
The Interns4Good Nonprofit Internship Program gives you the chance to support causes through flexible, remote internships. You can apply for roles in areas like marketing, outreach, communications, and design, and some of these placements may focus on environmental education, conservation, or sustainability, depending on the nonprofit partner. Each week, you complete assignments, track your progress, and get feedback from your supervisor to help you grow your skills. You can also work on Interns4Good’s own projects, such as tutoring or blogging, which sometimes include environmental topics. You earn verified service hours and build practical experience.
8. Seaside Sustainability Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open application; selective based on interest and fit
Dates: Rolling start dates; fall interns typically serve 5-month terms
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12); no prior experience required
The Seaside Sustainability Internship provides high school students with a flexible, virtual opportunity to explore environmental advocacy and nonprofit leadership. You will work 15–40 hours per week, with schedules built around school commitments, and participate in at least two project teams. Projects may include climate action, grant writing, curriculum development, or digital outreach, giving you exposure to multiple aspects of sustainability work. The internship encourages collaboration and leadership, with interns leading initiatives, creating resources, and joining weekly virtual team meetings. Course credit is available, and terms may be extended to deepen your involvement.
9. Conservation Individual Placements – Student Conservation Association (SCA)
Location: Across the United States (placements on public lands, preserves, and conservation sites)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; living stipends often provided (varies by placement)
Dates: Rolling; placements available year-round, typically 8–12 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling; students must check open positions for deadlines
Eligibility: Ages 18+ (ideal for high school seniors transitioning to college or gap year students)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; depends on project availability and applicant fit
The Conservation Individual Placements program from the Student Conservation Association (SCA) gives you the chance to work in conservation roles across the United States. You might help monitor sea turtle nests in Florida, support habitat restoration on public lands, or create environmental outreach materials for a preserve in Alaska. Each placement pairs you with experienced environmental professionals who mentor you and guide your work. You’ll build skills in fieldwork, ecological monitoring, community engagement, and nonprofit operations. With projects in many ecosystems and focus areas, you can choose an experience that matches your environmental interests while making an impact.
10. Youth Conservation Crews – Conservation Corps North Carolina
Location: Multiple sites across North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Old Fort, Davidson, Pisgah National Forest)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; members receive hourly wages
Dates: Summer (June–August; 3–6 week sessions)
Application Deadline: Positions posted in early March; rolling until filled
Eligibility: North Carolina residents ages 15–18
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
The Youth Conservation Crews program gives you the chance to work on conservation projects across North Carolina. You might restore habitats in Durham, build and maintain trails in Pisgah National Forest, or help improve parks and forests in Raleigh. Crews include 4–6 students and two Crew Leaders, so you get close mentorship and support. Some crews return home each day, while others camp and work in the field for the full session. You’ll take part in activities like trail building, invasive species removal, sign installation, and habitat restoration. You’ll build leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship skills while making an impact on local ecosystems.
11. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program – American Fisheries Society
Location: Placements available across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico (within a 45-minute commute of the student’s home)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $3,000 stipend provided
Dates: 8-week internships, June – August (exact dates flexible by mentor and student)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in fisheries, aquatic science, or environmental studies; students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly Selective
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a national paid summer internship designed to engage high school students in aquatic and environmental sciences. Over eight weeks, you will work alongside a professional fisheries mentor on hands-on research and conservation projects, gaining exposure to the tools, methods, and fieldwork that define the profession. Past placements have included habitat restoration, species monitoring, water quality testing, and population surveys. In addition to technical training, the program emphasizes mentorship, providing one-on-one guidance from fisheries professionals while helping you explore future study and career options. With over 23 years of impact, the program has connected nearly 800 students to meaningful opportunities in fisheries and environmental science, inspiring many alumni to pursue careers in biology, ecology, and conservation.
12. Youth Community Program – Northwest Youth Corps
Location: Community-based sites in Oregon and the Northwest (e.g., Portland, Eugene)
Cost/Stipend: $200 tuition fee (assistance available) | Stipend up to $2,500 for full session ($480/week plus potential bonuses)
Dates: Session 1: June 23 – July 25 | Session 2: July 29 – August 22/29 (depending on crew)
Application Deadline: Rolling; positions typically open in early spring
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 who reside in participating Northwest communities
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
The Youth Community Program is a five-week, non-residential conservation internship that allows high school students to contribute to meaningful environmental projects while returning home each evening. You will work 6–7 hours per day on projects such as tree planting, invasive species removal, trail construction, fuels reduction, and habitat restoration under the guidance of experienced crew leaders. Specialized crews, like Urban and Community Forestry or Sound to Summit, provide additional experiences in urban greening or National Park projects. Each day also includes an educational component focusing on ecology, leadership, and job readiness.
13. Environmentor – Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE)
Location: Far Rockaway, NY (RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard)
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend up to $1,200 provided
Dates: June – mid-August
Application Deadline: Typically due in spring (with group interviews in May)
Eligibility: NYC high school students in grades 9–11, especially those attending school in or near the Rockaway peninsula; priority given to students who participated in Shore Corps
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Environmentor is a six-week, science research mentorship program that pairs NYC high school students with scientists from local universities and institutions to study the Rockaway shoreline and Jamaica Bay. You will design and carry out your own environmental research project while receiving training in water safety, CPR, kayaking, biking, and even surfing. Past projects have explored topics such as coastal flooding, salt marsh species interactions, and air quality monitoring. Alongside research, you’ll participate in orientations, community service events, and receive ongoing mentorship.
14. Climate Cardinals Internship
Location: Primarily remote
Cost/Stipend: Free | No stipend provided
Dates: Varies each year
Application Deadline: Rolling applications accepted
Eligibility: Open to participants of all ages
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not selective; large global volunteer network
The Climate Cardinals Internship offers students the opportunity to help make climate change information accessible worldwide by translating scientific resources into over 100 languages. As an intern, you will work with peers and mentors to simplify and translate complex reports into clear, culturally relevant content. You may also work with regional chapters to adapt materials for local audiences, ensuring accuracy while meeting community needs. This nonprofit internship emphasizes teamwork, communication, and global collaboration, while allowing you to contribute to climate education and advocacy directly.
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