CAREERS IN CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Work with TCA staff implementing wildlife conservation projects around Texas in our 10-week and 12-week internship programs. Scroll down to learn more.

Internship Application (Word)

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Internship Application (PDF)

This page was last updated on 11/22/2024.

Internship Duration & Application Deadlines

Spring 2025 dates and positions:

Accepting applications: 12/16 - 1/30
Start date: 2/24
Native Plant Restoration end date: 5/03
East Texas Conservation end date: 5/03
Lights Out end date*: 5/17

Five positions are available:

Three Lights Out internships: Dallas, Fort Worth, and College Station
One Habitat Restoration internship in East Texas
One Native Plant Restoration internship in Dallas

Texas Conservation Alliance (TCA) is seeking interns who are passionate about protecting Texas wildlife and their habitats. Our Careers in Conservation Internship Program is helping train the future conservation leaders of Texas. Participants work alongside TCA’s seasoned conservation professionals and experience the frontlines of saving wildlife and their habitats in the state. Internship projects vary, but the opportunity to develop technical acumen, exercise transferable skills, and cultivate conservation leadership is integral to every TCA experience.

Selected candidates will work with TCA staff to implement wildlife conservation projects. Our 10-week/12-week* internship offers opportunities to make positive impacts for wildlife and provides valuable hands on learning experiences and professional development opportunities applicable to future careers in sustainability and conservation.

*Lights Out Dallas, Lights Out Fort Worth, and Lights Out College Station internships will be 12 weeks long.

To Apply:

Download and complete the Internship Application. Prepare an email to Jose@tcatexas.org. Attach your application, your resume, and your cover letter. Send all 3 files to Jose@tcatexas.org.

Internship Application (Word)

Internship Application (PDF)

Stipend:

TCA is pleased to provide an internship stipend of $1000/$1200* per semester. Funds are distributed bi-weekly.

Upon hire and acceptance, you will be required to fill out and return an IRS Form W-9 and a Direct Deposit form before processing any payments.

Requirements

Minimum Age: Must be at least 18 years old
Eligibility: Must be eligible to work in the United States
Time Commitment: Approximately 15 hours of service per week including occasional weekends over the 10-week* internship
Regular Reporting: Must submit progress reports bi-weekly. Must participate in virtual weekly check-in meetings from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM each Monday throughout the 10-week* internship
Flexible Locations: Projects are conducted locally in regions across Texas, and paired with online check-ins, reporting, and intern cohort collaborations

Potential Projects

Organize wildlife habitat restoration events.

Restoring degraded wildlife habitat is critical to the conservation of species. Interns will research opportunities, build community partnerships, and coordinate event logistics. Potential projects include litter pollution removal from Texas waterways, planting native plants, and removing invasive species to restore prairie, and reforestation through community tree-planting events.

Propagate native prairie plants.

Interns based in the Dallas-area can gain experience working with and learning more about Texas native plants and greenhouse propagation methods at the Native Plant Propagation Center, located at and in partnership with the Dallas Zoo. The Center cultivates well over 10,000 seedlings each year across more than 100 species of native grasses, shrubs, and forbs for prairie conservation around the state.

Lead bird collision surveys (spring and fall only).

Lights Out Texas is a statewide behavior-change campaign aimed at saving migratory birds from building-collisions by encouraging businesses and residents to turn off non-essential lights during spring and fall migration. Bird collision surveys are an important component of the scientific research of this campaign. TCA leads surveys in downtown Dallas and Fort Worth as well as on-campus at Texas A&M University, College Station, during spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) migration seasons. Interns will help lead the survey two days each week in addition to another project.

Promote Lights Out for Wildlife.

Interns will strengthen the Lights Out for Wildlife brand by promoting the behavior-change campaign through community outreach, social media marketing techniques, and presentations. Interns may also help reach out to municipality officials, business owners, and community members to encourage taking action during bird migrations. Lights Out for Wildlife is a program to certify homes, businesses, and/or buildings by taking Lights Out action to save birds and other wildlife impacted by light pollution. Interns will assist in promoting the certification program and create strategies to encourage participation.