Blufflands Land Stewardship Internship

Job Description

Blufflands land stewardship interns work hard to maintain and restore native landscapes in northeast Iowa. Interns will conduct needed land management and restoration on remnant and reconstructed prairies, woodlands, oak savannas and other natural areas owned or protected by INHF. Interns will use a variety of hand tools and chainsaws to help accomplish restoration goals.

Students selected for INHF’s Blufflands internship will learn from and work closely with landowners and working professionals in the field. Educational opportunities beyond daily work experiences will be provided, including participation in regional natural resources conferences, which will expose interns to several conservationists and organizations in a concentrated setting. First aid, CPR and harassment training will be provided at the beginning of the internship.

The internship will give interns vital skills and experience for a career in conservation or land management, as well as a greater appreciation for the importance of our natural areas. This is a physically demanding, yet very rewarding internship!

Work Examples

Much of the work will focus on prairie, oak savanna and woodland restoration with an emphasis on invasive species control. Control of species is by chainsaw, hand saw, digging, pulling and herbicide treatment. Removing Eastern Red Cedars from hill prairies, thinning oak woodlands of fire-intolerant tree species and pulling Wild Parsnip from reconstructed prairies are examples of some of the important restoration work that will be performed. Stream bank stabilization, fire break construction and prairie seed collection are other possible intern activities.

Skills/Qualifications

This internship is physically demanding, requiring fit, motivated individuals. Those with a positive attitude, eagerness to learn and desire to make our natural areas healthier are well-suited for this position. Interns will work exclusively outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions including heat, humidity and rain. 

Driving to various work sites (mostly in Winneshiek and Allamakee counties) is required, so interns must have a working vehicle. Carpooling is highly encouraged. 

College students of any age, even freshmen, are eligible for this internship. Compatible majors to this internship include, but are not limited to: animal ecology, botany, biology, forestry, environmental studies or environmental science. Applicants must be from Iowa or attending an Iowa school. 

Note: This internship does not supply lodging or meals.

Availability

Four to five full-time interns will be hired and work together as a crew. The internship begins May 19, 2025 and ends August 7, 2025. Interns will work a total of 11 weeks within that period. The work week will consist of 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday. Pay is $15/hr.

Application information

Positions are open until filled or February 3, whichever comes first. 

INHF offers internships on four crews across Iowa. Applicants should only apply to their first choice region of land stewardship positions and should indicate other regions of interest in the cover letter, if applicable.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and two letters of recommendation — including at least one from a college instructor — to  Kari Walker, human resources director, at kwalker@inhf.org.