13 Summer Environmental Internships for High School Students
Participating in an internship helps high school students apply what they learn in class to work settings. You develop skills such as professional communication, time management, and working with others, which are useful no matter what career path you choose. Doing an internship can boost your college applications by showing admissions officers that you’ve explored your interests outside of school. The work experience can help you make better decisions about your college major and career path, as you’ll understand what different jobs involve.
Why should I do a summer environmental internship in high school?
Environmental science summer internships allow you to work alongside scientists and environmental professionals on projects. Many of these internships are offered by universities, research centers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Some internships focus on field research, while others center on environmental technology, public health, engineering, or policy. You can learn how to collect field data, test water or soil samples, support habitat restoration efforts, or analyze information related to climate change and ecosystems. In addition to gaining technical experience, you’ll learn how environmental work is organized and carried out in professional settings.
Below is a list of 13 summer environmental internships for high school students to consider!
1. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Available in 50 U.S.states
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: 8 weeks between June and August (Flexible start and end dates)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who will be 16 or older by the internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid summer internship for high school students interested in environmental science, fisheries, and aquatic ecosystems. The program pairs you with a professional mentor working in fisheries science, conservation, or natural resource management. You gain hands-on experience through fieldwork and lab-based activities such as fish population surveys, water quality testing, habitat assessment, data analysis, and conservation research in freshwater or marine environments. Alongside technical skills, the program introduces you to real-world careers in environmental and biological sciences while helping you build research skills, professional confidence, and a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystem management.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies according to the program type; full financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: High school, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective, eight-week-long internship program for ambitious high school students where you work with a high-growth startup across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars, backed by Y Combinator, and have founders who have previously worked for the likes of McKinsey, Google, and Meta. In the program, you work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company.
3. SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Internships
Location: SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station, Otsego Lake, Cooperstown, New York.
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: 9 weeks between late May and August
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: New York State residents, age 16 or older as of June 20
The SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station internship is a summer research experience for high school students interested in environmental science, ecology, and freshwater systems. It allows you to work alongside faculty and researchers on real ecological studies focused on Otsego Lake and its surrounding watershed. You take part in field and laboratory activities such as water sampling, fisheries and plant surveys, water chemistry analysis, and ecological data collection, while learning how scientists study and manage freshwater ecosystems. Through this experience, you build research, data analysis, and scientific communication skills while gaining direct exposure to environmental science careers and field-based research.
4. Clean Water Ambassadors Internship
Location: Seattle, WA
Stipend: $20/hour
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 22
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date and have current and valid identification and proof of eligibility for employment in the U.S.
The Clean Water Ambassadors Internship allows high school students to explore environmental science and water conservation over five weeks in Seattle, Washington. You will go on field trips, attend workshops, and take part in activities that teach you about watershed health, water treatment, and sustainability practices. You will work directly with environmental professionals, monitor water quality, and investigate local water systems. You will also develop communication and leadership skills by sharing what you learn with your peers and community. By the end of the internship, you will have practical experience in environmental stewardship.
5. Alaska Songbird Institute High School Internship
Location: Seattle, WA
Stipend: $500
Dates: May 12 – July 18
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18
The Alaska Songbird Institute High School Internship is a summer program for high school students interested in ecology, wildlife research, and conservation. You will work alongside biologists on the Swallow Ecology Project, learning field research techniques such as nest monitoring, bird banding, and data recording. You will help monitor active Tree Swallow nests from egg laying through fledging, record and manage data, and assist with bird capture and banding. Through this internship, you will gain hands-on experience in wildlife research, develop skills in data collection and analysis, and learn how scientists study and protect wild bird populations. Earning the stipend requires you to contribute at least 85 hours during the season.
6. RISE–Environmentor Internship
Location: RISE Center in Far Rockaway, New York
Stipend: $1,200
Dates: June – mid-August
Application Deadline: Early May
Eligibility: Students in 9–11 grades living in New York City and attending school in or near the Rockaway Peninsula
The Environmentor Internship at the Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) is a summer program for high school students interested in environmental studies. In this internship, you will work with scientists from local universities and research institutions to design and conduct environmental research projects focused on the Rockaway shoreline and Jamaica Bay. You take part in fieldwork, collect and analyze data, and participate in workshops that teach essential skills such as water safety and CPR. You will also engage in outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, and surfing while gaining hands-on experience in environmental science.
7. Linking Individuals to their Natural Community (LINC)
Location: Marin County, CA, or San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $2,400
Dates: June 17 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: High school students who are Bay Area residents attending a public school
The six-week LINC internship, managed by the Park Conservancy, is designed for Bay Area high school students interested in environmental science and outdoor learning. You will take part in projects such as habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and community cleanups while exploring local parklands. You will also attend workshops on resume building, interview skills, and networking with park professionals. In addition, you will enjoy outdoor activities like wildlife observation, kayaking, ropes courses, field games, and an overnight camping trip in a national park. This program gives you practical experience in conservation, strengthens your leadership and teamwork skills, and helps you connect with professionals in the environmental field.
8. Conservation Corps North Carolina – Youth Conservation Crews
Location: Various regional sites, including Raleigh (Dorothea Dix Park), Asheville, Durham, and various National Forests across North Carolina
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old before the start of their crew and are North Carolina residents
In this program, you step into a rigorous role that focuses on habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and environmental stewardship. Throughout the summer, you will engage in activities like constructing wooden pergolas, repairing eroded hiking trails, and surveying local wildlife like box turtles. Beyond the physical labor, you participate in daily educational sessions covering soil science, financial literacy, and career mentorship with industry professionals. By the end of the session, you’ll have developed technical skills in construction and invasive species identification while developing the professional stamina needed for a career in the green economy.
9. Seattle Aquarium Youth Ocean Advocates
Location: Seattle, WA
Stipend: None
Dates: Late June – early September
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students
In the Youth Ocean Advocates program, you will dive into marine biology, ocean conservation, and climate science while acting as a voice for the Pacific Northwest’s ecosystems. You will interpret habitats for visitors at the touch tanks, lead education at the new Ocean Pavilion, and participate in outdoor restoration projects like beach cleanups. What makes this program unique is the direct mentorship you receive from professional biologists and the chance to influence public policy through organized advocacy events. Throughout the session, you’ll master public speaking by engaging with diverse audiences and gain technical field research skills that are essential for future environmental careers.
10. Wave Hill | Art, Community, Education, and Science (ACES) Internship
Location: Wave Hill House, Bronx, New York
Stipend: $17/hour
Dates: June – June (13 months)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old by July 1 with U.S. work eligibility
The Art, Community, Education, and Science (ACES) Internship is a year-long internship for high school students who want to connect science, art, and community engagement. This internship invites you to help facilitate informal STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education through programs like the Family Art Project and storytime, guiding visitors of all ages in activities inspired by nature. You work directly with educators and staff to develop and lead workshops, assist with educational displays, and communicate scientific and artistic ideas to families. Throughout the internship, you participate in onsite workshops focused on STEAM and college readiness, and take field trips.
11. Shaw Institute for Field Training (SIFT) program
Location: Shaw Nature Reserve, Tyson Research Center, and other field sites in the St. Louis, Missouri area
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: Year–long program
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 or 10 from the St. Louis region
The Shaw Institute for Field Training (SIFT) is a year-long internship for high school students interested in environmental science, ecology, and conservation. The program starts with an intensive summer training session where you learn essential field skills, including plant and animal identification, ecological sampling methods, GPS navigation, and data collection. Following training, you continue participating in hands-on research and field activities, such as habitat restoration, invasive species management, and wildlife monitoring, both during the summer and throughout the academic year. Through SIFT, you gain practical experience in ecological research, develop scientific and data analysis skills, and build professional connections with researchers and conservation professionals.
12. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Garden Apprentice Program (GAP)
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: Tier 1: $600; Tier 2: $700; Tier 3: $800; Tier 4: $17/hour
Dates: 9-month program between March and November
Application Deadline: December 5
Eligibility: NYC high school students in grades 9–11
The Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a nine-month internship for high school students that focuses on gardening and environmental learning. In this program, you learn about plants, sustainable gardening, and how to take care of the environment by working directly in the garden. During the school year, you help grow plants, maintain the garden, and teach basic plant lessons to other students and children. In the summer, you will spend time in the garden planting, caring for crops, and learning how gardens support the environment. The program meets weekly during the school year and is a good choice if you enjoy nature and want long-term experience.
13. NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program
Location: Virtual program open to youth across the United States and U.S. territories
Stipend: None
Dates: January – December
Application Deadline: January 4
Eligibility: Youth ages 13–18 from the U.S. and its territories
The NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program is a year-long leadership opportunity for students interested in ocean conservation and environmental stewardship. As an ambassador, you participate in monthly virtual workshops and meetings with NOAA experts, learning about marine ecosystems, climate literacy, the National Marine Sanctuary System, and environmental policy. You also design and lead a conservation project in your school or community, such as a beach cleanup, sustainability campaign, or educational workshop, applying your knowledge in a real-world context. Through this program, you gain hands-on experience in marine conservation and connect with a nationwide network of young environmental advocates.
Image Source - Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program logo