young adults standing together in a line in front of trees
LEAF Interns The Conservancy’s LEAF and Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities program interns finishing a day of monitoring trees impacted by Hurricane Sandy in New York City. © Karine Aigner

How We Work

Youth Engagement

We recognize young people as vital ambassadors for the planet.

The Nature Conservancy aims to engage the next generation in conservation by supporting opportunities for young people to engage with nature in the classroom, in their communities and in their careers.

Youth Engagement Around the World

two young girls in a field looking up
Nevada, USA LEAF interns study plant life at The Nature Conservancy's River Fork Ranch Preserve outside of Carson City. © Simon Williams/The Nature Conservancy
young children looking at a worm in a garden
Washington, D.C., USA Young volunteers look for worms in the dirt during a garden build day at Seaton Elementary School in the Shaw District. © Devan King/The Nature Conservancy
interns pouring sand into bucket
Washington, USA LEAF interns separate smelt fish eggs from refined sand and heavy particles during a Forage fish monitoring session. © Hannah Letinich/The Nature Conservancy
girl looks into microscope in a lab
Rhode Island, USA A LEAF intern works in a lab at the School for Ocean Sciences. © Heather Perry
students watering greenspace
Shenzhen, China 'Young Naturalists' students volunteer in their school's greenspace. © Theodore Kaye
young girl paints sign outdoors
Washington, D.C., USA A young student paints signage for her new school garden at Seaton Elementary in the Shaw District. © Devan King/The Nature Conservancy
interns haul large seine net
Block Island, Rhode Island,USA GLOBE interns haul in a 130-foot seine net during the Juvenile Fish Survey. © Courtesy of Siddharth Motwani
three women bird watch on island
Rhode Island, USA LEAF interns and their mentor bird watch in Andy's Way in New Shoreham. © Devan King/The Nature Conservancy
hand holding oyster clusters
New York, USA LEAF interns work on the Billion Oyster Project, a citizen science project co-ordinated by the New York Harbor School with the goal of restoring one billion live oysters. © Kevin Arnold
× two young girls in a field looking up
× young children looking at a worm in a garden
× interns pouring sand into bucket
× girl looks into microscope in a lab
× students watering greenspace
× young girl paints sign outdoors
× interns haul large seine net
× three women bird watch on island
× hand holding oyster clusters

Helping the next generation build relationships with nature is critical to ensure a more sustainable future. At TNC, we work to engage & inspire diverse young people equitably with the science, solutions & wonder of nature.

Kate Ireland

Director of Youth Engagement, The Nature Conservancy
intern taking notes on a boat.

Looking for opportunities?

If you’re a college or graduate student, check out our internships!

GLOBE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
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Not only are we committed to combating the Earth's most urgent issues, we're committed to educating everyone about the science behind how nature works.

TNC and its 400 scientists want to help you learn the priorities and goals we focus on and the work that goes into achieving them. We need the passion and energy of committed people around the world to help us Tackle Climate Change, Protect Land and Water, Provide Food and Water Sustainability and Build Healthy Cities. Start exploring and understanding nature around the globe today!

The Conservancy’s Nature Works Everywhere initiative supports a wide range of educational programs, including school gardens.

Tool

Educator Resources

Access tools that can help teach the science behind how nature works and how we can help keep it running strong.

Watch Now
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Solar Panel Array

Video

Tackle Climate Change

Uncover ways that nature can be harnessed to create resilient communities in the face of changes like sea level rise.

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St. Marks River in North Florida

Video

Protect Land & Water

Explore how watersheds benefit people and nature and explains how a student-built water garden can demonstrate the filtering power of a watershed.

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Fish market in Ancón, Peru.

Video

Provide Food and Water Sustainably

Discover sustainable fishing through a specific case study in Peru, which is home to one of the world’s largest fisheries.

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family sitting in Brooklyn Bridge Park, NY

Video

Build Healthy Cities

Learn about ways that nature can be harnessed to create resilient communities in the face of changes like sea level rise.

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Craving more nature and science? Visit our YouTube and Vimeo channels.

Have questions?

Contact the Youth Engagement team via email.