Careers in Conservation

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in conservation? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.

Photo Credit: Flickr user Kevin Timothy

If you’ve ever visited a national park or forest, their natural beauty might have astounded you. These natural resources and others wouldn’t stay around without help from those willing to conserve them. That’s what conservation’s about: preserving natural resources (including animals, plants, and fungi) and habitats so we can continue enjoying them.

One career path is to work with an organization dealing with conservation issues, particularly in the nonprofit sector. Depending on your interests, you can choose one that deals with one specific issue or multiple. Larger organizations usually have a bigger net to throw, so if you’re not sure about one specific path within conservation, a large organization gives you more options. Politically inclined? Lots of conservation organizations also get involved in the political and advocacy side.

You can also work with a government agency such as the National Parks Service, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, or the Environmental Protection Agency.

If you like animals, working at a zoo or aquarium or managing endangered species are a couple of paths you can take. You might also do research and evaluate living things in an area, from plants to animals, from the sky above to the ground below.

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Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Conservation

Future of Fish - Future of Fish is a Seattle, WA based non-profit that “envision a global seafood supply chain that produces legal, traceable, trustworthy fish."

See the complete Future of Fish profile

The Mountaineers - The Mountaineers is a Seattle based non-profit that has “been teaching skills, sharing adventures, creating volunteers, and conserving land” for more than a century.

See the complete The Mountaineers profile

Natural Areas Conservancy - Natural Areas Conservancy is an NYC non-profit that “works with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to protect, restore, and manage expansive natural areas."

See the complete Natural Areas Conservancy profile

Rainforest Trust - Rainforest Trust is a Warrenton, VA based non-profit that works “to purchase and protect threatened tropical forests.”

See the complete Rainforest Trust profile

Amazon Watch - Amazon Watch is a San Francisco based non-profit that "campaigns for human rights, corporate accountability and the preservation of the Amazon’s ecological systems.”

See the complete Amazon Watch profile

Friends of the Forest Preserves - Friends of the Forest Preserves is a Chicago, IL based non-profit that "exists because the Cook County forest preserves need help."

See the complete Friends of the Forest Preserves profile

Pheasants Forever - Pheasants Forever is a St. Paul, MN based non-profit “dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife."

See the complete Pheasants Forever profile

Chincoteague Bay Field Station - Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a Wallops Island, VA based non-profit that helps people learn through experience while fostering environmental stewardship.

See the complete Chincoteague Bay Field Station profile

WaterSmart Software - WaterSmart Software is based in San Francisco, CA, and they aim “to help water utilities make it easier for their customers to save water and save money.”

See the complete WaterSmart Software profile

Ducks Unlimited - Ducks Unlimited is a Memphis, TN based non-profit has become “the world’s leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation.”

See the complete Ducks Unlimited profile

Natural Resources Defense Council - NRDC is an NYC based non-profit that wants to "safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends."

See the complete Natural Resources Defense Council profile

Panthera - Panthera is a New York, NY based non-profit that “is the world’s leading conservation organization devoted exclusively to the protection of wild cats.”

See the complete Panthera profile

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership - Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to “guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish.”

See the complete Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership profile

Conservation Law Foundation - Conservation Law Foundation is a Boston, MA based non-profit that believes “that healthy communities and a clean environment are a right for all New Englanders.”

See the complete Conservation Law Foundation profile

Global Footprint Network - Global Footprint Network is an Oakland, CA based non-profit that is focused on “measuring human impact on the Earth so we can make more informed choices.”

See the complete Global Footprint Network profile

Center for Clean Air Policy - The Center for Clean Air Policy is a Washington, DC based non-profit that is “a recognized world leader in climate and air quality policy."

See the complete Center for Clean Air Policy profile

Defenders of Wildlife - Defenders of Wildlife is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to “protect and restore imperiled species throughout North America."

See the complete Defenders of Wildlife profile

Marine Conservation Institute - Marine Conservation Institute is a Seattle, WA non-profit that uses the latest science to identify and advocate for important marine ecosystems around the world.

See the complete Marine Conservation Institute profile

The Trust for Public Land - The Trust for Public Land is a San Francisco, CA based org that was “founded in 1972 with goals of protecting land in and around cities and pioneering."

See the complete The Trust for Public Land profile

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - Rails-to-Trails is a Washington, DC based non-profit that is aiming “to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines."

See the complete Rails-to-Trails Conservancy profile

Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary - Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is a Red Lodge, MT based non-profit that houses "native animals that cannot be returned to the wild due to injury or habituation to humans.”

See the complete Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary profile

American Littoral Society - The American Littoral Society is a Highlands, NJ based non-profit that “promotes the study and conservation of marine life and habitat, protects the coast from harm."

See the complete American Littoral Society profile

Seattle Tilth - Seattle Tilth aims “to inspire and educate people to safeguard our natural resources while building an equitable and sustainable local food system.”

See the complete Seattle Tilth profile

The Wildlife Center of Virginia - The Wildlife Center of Virginia is a Waynesboro, VA based org that “was formed to provide quality health care, often on an emergency basis, to native wildlife.”

See the complete The Wildlife Center of Virginia profile

Earth Island Institute - Earth Island Institute is a Berkeley, CA based org that is a “hub for grassroots campaigns dedicated to conserving, preserving, and restoring ecosystems."

See the complete Earth Island Institute profile

American Conservation Experience - American Conservation Experience offers “opportunities for both American and International volunteers to take part in challenging outdoor projects."

See the complete American Conservation Experience profile

Louisiana Bucket Brigade - Louisiana Bucket Brigade is a NOLA based non-profit “environmental health and justice organization."

See the complete Louisiana Bucket Brigade profile

World Wildlife Fund - World Wildlife Fund is a Washington, DC non-profit that “has been protecting the future of nature” for the last 50 years.

See the complete World Wildlife Fund profile

Heal the Bay - Heal the Bay is devoted to protecting and reviving Santa Monica Bay, “the centerpiece of Los Angeles’ beach culture."

See the complete Heal the Bay profile

Teton Science Schools - Teton Science Schools is based in Jackson, WY based and has “been educating, training, and inspiring students about the natural world” since 1967.

See the complete Teton Science Schools profile

International Rivers - International Rivers is a non-profit “at the heart of the global struggle to protect rivers and the rights of communities that depend on them.”

See the complete International Rivers profile

Biodiversity Project - Biodiversity Project is a Chicago, IL based non-profit that works "to protect North America’s most precious land and water resources.”

See the complete Biodiversity Project profile

NatureBridge - NatureBridge is a non-profit that has introduced “1 million young people to the wonder and science of nature in the world’s best classrooms—our national parks.”

See the complete NatureBridge profile

Earth Day Network - Earth Day Network is a DC based non-profit that coordinates Earth Day activities globally while also working on environmental issues, and they're hiring.

See the complete Earth Day Network profile

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation - If you love the sporting life and its intersection with politics, you should consider a job with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in Washington, DC.

See the complete Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation profile

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation - The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation works with NOAA to protect and support the U.S. national marine sanctuaries, and they're hiring.

See the complete National Marine Sanctuary Foundation profile

League of Conservation Voters - The League of Conservation Voters is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that “works to turn environmental values into national priorities.”

See the complete League of Conservation Voters profile

Madison Square Park Conservancy - Madison Square Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization that maintains and manages Madison Square Park, and they're hiring.

See the complete Madison Square Park Conservancy profile

Environmental Law Institute - The Environmental Law Institute is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that helps shape "the fields of environmental law, policy, and management."

See the complete Environmental Law Institute profile

The Nature Conservancy - The Nature Conservancy is "the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters" and they're hiring

See the complete The Nature Conservancy profile

WildAid - WildAid is a non-profit organization that raises awareness about endangered species stems demand for the trade in illegal wildlife, and they're hiring.

See the complete WildAid profile

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a non-profit that directs "public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs," and they're hiring.

See the complete National Fish and Wildlife Foundation profile

Sacramento Tree Foundation - Do you love trees? If so, then a career with the Sacramento Tree Foundation might be a great fit for you.

See the complete Sacramento Tree Foundation profile

Washington Wilderness Coalition - Washington Wilderness Coalition is over 30 years old and 10,000 members strong, and they're hiring a few people to help preserve Washington's wildlife.

See the complete Washington Wilderness Coalition profile

Cabela’s - If you love the outdoors, you probably already know all about Cabela’s. But have you checked out their job opportunities?

See the complete Cabela’s profile

Rock the Earth - If you’re digging what Rock the Earth is all about, then you should check out their jobs on Idealist.

See the complete Rock the Earth profile

Saint Louis Zoo - Saint Louis Zoo is a great zoo, so if you don’t apply for a job with them, at least give them a visit.

See the complete Saint Louis Zoo profile

Alliance to Save Energy - The Alliance to Save Energy promotes “energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security,” and they're hiring.

See the complete Alliance to Save Energy profile

Rodale Institute - If you want to be part of the organic movement, then you should consider jobs at the Rodale Institute in Kutztown, PA.

See the complete Rodale Institute profile

The Mountain Institute - If you’re intrigued by what The Mountain Institute does, you should check out their jobs listings. They look pretty cool.

See the complete The Mountain Institute profile

Check out the latest job and internship postings in conservation.

Careers in Conservation

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Conservation

See more companies with entry level jobs and internships in conservation: