13 Wildlife Biology Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student curious about animal behavior, ecosystems, or how human activities affect wildlife and their habitats, a wildlife biology internship is a great way to explore those interests.
Wildlife biology internships can help you learn about wild vertebrates, like mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and the environments they depend on, along with fisheries and important aquatic species. During the internship, you might get to observe animals in natural or controlled environments, collect and analyze biological data, track populations, manage invasive species, or help come up with solutions that reduce the impact of human activities on wildlife.
As an intern, you can get hands-on experience in the field, learn from professionals, build connections, and explore career paths. Early exposure to wildlife biology can also boost your college applications by demonstrating your willingness to learn beyond the classroom and get real-world work experience. Many of these programs are free and even offer stipends!
Here we have come up with a list of 12 wildlife biology internships for high school students to help you get started:
1. Alley Pond’s Field Biology Internships
Location: Alley Pond Environmental Center, Douglaston, NY
Cost/Stipend: $150 participation fee with financial aid is available upon request; the internship is unpaid.
Application deadline: August 1 (Fall) | January 2 (Spring) | May 1 (Summer)
Dates: Fall: October 5 – November 9 (Saturdays) | Spring: March 15 – May 3 (Saturdays) | Summer: July 1 – August 6 (Tuesdays or Wednesdays, interns are placed in a cohort based on the day they choose)
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old and can engage in outdoor activities for at least two hours
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
The Alley Pond Environmental Center’s Field Biology Internship is meant for high school students who are curious about field research and how local ecosystems and wildlife work. As an intern, you will explore various ecosystems in Alley Pond Park and other areas in Queens, NYC. You will engage in bird observations, biodiversity surveys, soil and water quality testing, coastal seining, macroinvertebrate identification, and planting native species. You will also get to know different urban environments, learn to identify local plants and animals, practice collecting and recording data, and strengthen your skills in independent research and public speaking. This program is worth considering if you want to study biology, sustainability, natural sciences, environmental science, or similar fields, as it gives you a chance to explore biodiversity up close and connect with experts engaged in real-world environmental work.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,490; financial aid is available
Application deadline: Deadlines depend on the cohort; the upcoming one for the summer cohort is June 23
Dates: Programs run for 8–16 weeks, with several cohorts offered year-round, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students, undergrads, and gap‑year students who can work 5–15 hours a week for 8–16 weeks
Acceptance rate: A selective program with an acceptance rate of around 19%, though it can vary by internship and cohort
Ladder Internships, established by Harvard alumni, is a selective program that matches high school students with remote internships at startups and nonprofits around the world. Many of the startup founders have Y Combinator funding and backgrounds at companies such as Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. Internship opportunities are offered in many fields, including environmental science, health tech, and nonprofits. You can indicate your preferred subject area and internship role on the application form here. As an intern, you will work on real projects for your assigned organization and present your work. Along the way, you will build skills in communication and time management, join group sessions with other interns, and get guidance from a site manager and a Ladder coach.
3. Wildlife Conservation Society | Bronx Zoo Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology)
Location: Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free | Summer interns receive either a $750 stipend and a MetroCard or $16/hour through SYEP if eligible and placed with WCS-approved providers. Fall interns get a stipend of about $350.
Application deadline: March 7
Dates: Summer program: June 30 – August 21 (3 days a week) | Fall program: September 13 – December 20 (14 Saturdays) with an additional Saturday in January for final presentations.
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors from the Bronx who are comfortable working indoors and outdoors
Cohort size: 25 students
Project TRUE, run by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo Education team in partnership with Fordham University, is a paid summer research program meant for NYC high school students interested in urban ecology. You will work in a small team alongside Fordham undergrad mentors and get support from WCS staff while exploring topics like wildlife biology, ecology, and plant science. The program has a summer research phase that continues into the fall with trips, workshops, and lessons. With help from your mentor, you will plan and carry out research using tools like camera traps, plant surveys, and collection nets. Projects may focus on topics like bird populations, water quality, invasive species, or mammal tracking. You will also contribute to real studies of NYC’s ecosystems, analyze your data, and share your findings with both scientists and the public. The program also offers training in research, public speaking, networking, and getting ready for college.
4. Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: There’s no cost to participate; students will receive a $2,500 stipend after completing their research and meeting all program requirements.
Application deadline: March 8
Dates: The program runs for 10 months, from August to June. It starts with the SRMP Summer Institute from August 4 – 28, followed by a year-long mentored research experience from September through June.
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 or 11 who attend an AMNH partner school or have previously participated in AMNH programs; the program especially encourages applications from students who identify as Latinx, Indigenous, Black, or first-generation college-bound
Cohort size: 60 students
The SRMP at the American Museum of Natural History is a paid opportunity to conduct real scientific research with museum scientists in fields like anthropology, conservation biology, astrophysics, genetics, and genomics. You will join a research team and work with mentors and peers twice a week during the school year on a unique project. Past topics range from studying the genetic basis of spider foraging and figuring out what the Maya ate 2,000 years ago to exploring mammal diversity in Highbridge Park. The program kicks off with a four-week Summer Institute, where you will build foundational skills in data science, research, and equity in STEM. During the school year, you will spend about 260 hours in a museum research lab, learning lab techniques, analyzing data, reading scientific papers, and working with coding tools like Python and R. You will also attend monthly meetings focused on science communication, STEM equity, and professional skills. At the end of the program, you will share your work through videos, blog posts, and posters at the June Colloquium at the Museum.
5. Bronx River Alliance's Environmental Enrichment and Leadership for Students (EELS)
Location: CUNY Lehman College & River House, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; A $3,600 stipend is offered.
Application deadline: February 3
Dates: The internship runs for a full year, starting with a six-week summer component in July.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors enrolled in a NYC public or charter school, with an average of 80 or higher in English, math, and science
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
The Bronx River Alliance’s Environmental Enrichment and Leadership for Students (EELS) Internship is a 12-month paid program that gives high school students a chance to explore careers in environmental science. It starts with hands-on lab activities and six weeks of summer fieldwork at the Bronx River, along with an Environmental Science class at CUNY Lehman College. During the school year, you will be mentored by a Bronx River Alliance team, and later, you will work with a research mentor to complete a full scientific research project in the spring. Research areas include ecology, environmental science, and marine biology. You will earn up to 5 transferable college credits, have the chance to log community service hours, and connect with professionals in the environmental field.
6. Environmentor - Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) Research Mentorship Program
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; students can earn up to $1,200 as stipends
Application deadline: May 1
Dates: June 5 – August 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 who live on or go to school near the Rockaway Peninsula can apply. Priority is given to those who participated in the Shore Corps during the fall and spring.
Cohort Size: 12–15 high school students
Environmentor is a science‑research mentorship program for high school students interested in environmental conservation. At Environmentor, you will be matched with scientists from research institutions or local universities to carry out a project in fields such as environmental science, conservation biology, marine biology, animal physiology, marine ecology, and wetland restoration. The program kicks off with orientations and workshops in June, then runs for six weeks in July and August, during which you will meet four days a week to work on your individual project with your mentor. Most projects are conducted along the Rockaway shoreline and in Jamaica Bay and may involve tracking sea‑turtle and pinniped strandings, air‑quality monitoring, studying bottlenose dolphin biodiversity, salt‑marsh restoration, or examining dolphin morphology. You can check the past student projects here.
Beyond research and mentorship, the program offers community‑service opportunities, practical skills training, and water safety and CPR certification. You will also enjoy recreational activities like kayaking, biking, and surfing.
7. Alaska Songbird Institute’s High School Internship Program
Location: Creamer’s Field and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), Fairbanks, AK
Cost/Stipend: The program is free | Interns who complete at least 85 volunteer hours will receive a $500 stipend.
Application deadline: April 27
Dates: May 12 – July 18
Eligibility: High school students who are 14–18 years old
Cohort size: Spots are limited, and about 10 to 15 interns are accepted each summer
The Alaska Songbird Institute’s High School Internship Program is for students interested in wildlife, research, and conservation careers. As an intern, you will get hands-on training in basic field research like nest monitoring, bird banding, and managing data. You will work with biologists, interns, and volunteers on the Swallow Ecology Project, tracking about 70 active Tree Swallow nests from egg laying to fledging. You will keep detailed records on each nest’s progress and help band (mark) unmarked swallows to track their return and survival. Tasks include checking nest boxes, collecting data, and helping with bird capture and banding. As you build experience, you might get to measure birds and band them yourself. You can expect to volunteer 8–10 hours a week, with morning shifts at Creamer’s Field and afternoon shifts at UAF.
8. DNA Learning Center Urban Barcode Research Program
Location: DNA Learning Center, New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; a $500 stipend is offered on completing 55 hours of research and presenting at the Research Symposium
Application deadline: May 27
Dates: The first required one-week lab training runs from August 25 to 29, with additional sessions during the school year. The Student Symposium is held on May 20.
Eligibility: NYC high school students currently in grades 9 to 12
Cohort size: 36 students
The Urban Barcode Research Program at NYC College of Technology gives high school students a chance to conduct hands-on lab research using both basic and advanced science methods. Here, you will be paired with a scientist mentor for the school year who will help guide you through the full research process—from planning your project to presenting it at a spring symposium. Past student projects have included using DNA barcoding to evaluate bird biodiversity in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx, as well as studying the factors that affect bird diversity in a Long Island salt marsh. Before jumping into lab work, you will attend training sessions on science research, conservation biology, biodiversity, and lab techniques to get the skills and background you need. During the program, you will focus on DNA barcoding to explore how human activity impacts biodiversity. With your mentor’s help, you will plan and carry out a DNA barcoding project, gaining experience in writing research proposals, collecting samples in the field, isolating DNA, amplifying barcode regions, and analyzing sequences.
9. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Internships are offered across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands; each student is matched to a site that is within a 45‑minute commute from their home.
Cost/Stipend: The program is free; students receive a $3,000 stipend and a free trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit
Application deadline: January 19
Dates: Eight weeks from June to late July or August; the exact schedule is flexible and decided by interns and their mentors | Interns usually work 32 hours a week, though some field days may run 10–12 hours
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors as well as college freshmen who will be at least 16 by the internship start date
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~8%; in the past, the program accepted 43 students out of 530 applicants
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, run by the American Fisheries Society, is an eight-week paid summer internship that helps students explore careers in fisheries and aquatic science. During the program, you will be matched with a professional mentor and get hands-on experience in areas like habitat restoration, conservation, and fisheries biology. Projects may focus on aquatic populations, ecosystem health, habitats, biodiversity, toxicology, socioeconomics, physiology, or fisheries management. Depending on the location, you could work outdoors, on boats, in labs, or in offices. Your daily activities might include fish surveys, habitat restoration, snorkeling, electrofishing, using microscopes to examine specimens, organizing data, testing water quality, or helping with youth education programs. Some internships may include overnight or multi-day trips for fieldwork.
10. The Malott Family Zoo Intern Program
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost | A stipend is paid.
Application deadline: March 10
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Eligibility: Chicago-based students who are rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or college freshmen, 16–18 years old, and legally eligible to work in the U.S.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
The Malott Family Zoo Intern Program is a paid, seven-week internship that focuses on teaching high schoolers about Lincoln Park Zoo. Here, you will undergo training to learn about the zoo animals and conservation. You also get to observe animals, get behind-the-scenes tours, and get presentations from zoo professionals. During the program, you will practice ways to communicate conservation messages to zoo visitors and work with other interns on a final group project. You will also get to meet researchers and Animal Care staff to learn about different careers in conservation and animal science. This internship is an opportunity to dive into wildlife conservation and animal behavior.
11. SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Internships
Location: SUNY Oneonta campus, Buffalo, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free + a $3,000 stipend is offered
Application deadline: March 26
Dates: The summer research internship program runs for 9 weeks, from late May through August.
Eligibility: New York State residents who will be at least 16 years old by June 20
Acceptance rate/cohort size: SUNY Oneonta internships are highly selective, offering only 1–3 spots for high school students. At least one position is reserved for a student from Otsego County, NY.
SUNY Oneonta runs a nine‑week summer research internship for New York State students interested in field biology. You will spend the summer helping faculty and staff in the BFS central lab with their projects or developing your own, along with handling data analysis and writing. Your field tasks might include fisheries or plant surveys and water sampling, while lab work may include water‑chemistry testing, zooplankton ID, or fish dissections. You will also attend weekly seminars, where faculty and staff cover topics like Otsego Lake ecology and local watershed hydrology. You will then give a 10–20‑minute presentation on your research. Past projects include studying how rusty crayfish differ around Otsego Lake. By the end of the program, you will submit a technical report and create a large‑format poster showcasing your project and results. You can check out previous intern publications here!
12. Shaw Institute for Field Training (SIFT) at Shaw Nature Reserve
Location: Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit, MO
Cost/Stipend: Free + a stipend is offered
Application deadline: March 15
Dates: June of the current year to April next year
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors, as well as rising seniors who have previously applied for the SIFT program
Cohort size: The program accepts up to 28 participants
The Shaw Institute for Field Training (SIFT) is an introductory program at Shaw Nature Reserve that helps high school students explore nature through hands-on science. You will join both virtual and in-person activities that focus on building field skills, teamwork, and science knowledge. The program offers paid fieldwork in the summer and during the school year, as well as opportunities to work with scientists on projects year-round. You will explore local ecosystems and help with habitat restoration, species monitoring, removing invasive species, and data collection—key skills for anyone interested in pursuing an education or a career in wildlife biology. You will also attend a one-week training session to explore different Missouri ecosystems and learn how to do field research, including identifying plants and animals, sampling, testing environmental conditions, and using maps, compasses, and GPS. After training, you will engage in research and restoration projects at Shaw, Tyson Research Center, and other field sites around St. Louis.
13. Joint Science Education Project (JSEP)
Location: Remote Program: Virtual via Zoom | Field Program: Kangerlussuaq and Summit Station on the Greenland Ice Sheet, Greenland
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students in the field program receive a $1,500 stipend to help with gear, passport renewal, and any lost income from summer jobs due to full-time participation in JSEP.
Application deadline: January 31
Dates: Field program: Late June and July, with students typically traveling to Greenland around June 25 for two to three weeks | Remote program: One week in late July or August.
Eligibility: Remote program: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens | Field program: Students must be U.S. citizens who will be 18 by June 1, and have completed a remote JSEP program in the past couple of years
Cohort size: Around 30 students
The Institute of Arctic Studies at Dartmouth College runs the Joint Science Education Project (JSEP), a polar science program with two options: a remote program and an in-person field program. JSEP uses a mentor-mentee model, through which you will be guided by college and graduate student mentors. In the remote program, you will explore polar science through hands-on activities, complete a group research project with support from Dartmouth grad students or faculty, and present your work at a final symposium. Topics may include snow and ice physics, cold climate engineering, Arctic ecosystems, ecology of soils, plants, and animal life, and human aspects associated with climate change in the Arctic regions. In the field program, you will spend two weeks in Kangerlussuaq doing fieldwork on aquatic ecosystems, natural resources, plant and animal biodiversity, and geology. This will be followed by a week at Summit Station, a U.S. research base on the Greenland Ice Sheet, where you will learn about glaciology, ice coring, and Arctic research firsthand. You will also complete your research project and share your findings at a community event.