Wild Indigo Nature Explorer - Chicago - Military veterans preferred

Location: Chicago, IL
Part time
Requisition ID: JR867

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary

Do you want to work on meaningful and impactful environmental education programs? Are you looking for an internship that makes a difference in conservation? If this sounds exciting, the National Audubon Society’s internship may be great for you.

The Wild Indigo Explorer will work with the Chicago Wild Indigo Coordinator to implement Nature Exploration efforts in several of Southeast Chicago’s natural spaces. The goal of the explorers is to teach them the work of the coordinator and allow them to engage with nature in new ways, this time focused on several ideas around environmental advocacy. They will help to engage a diversity of residents and foster appreciation of wildlife and wetland ecology. The Explorers will then take what they have learned and will continue to engage with their local natural areas and their surrounding communities by completing several stewardship projects and final environmental education project.

This is an onsite role based in the Audubon Great Lakes – State Office –Ford Calumet Nature Center at Big Marsh Park in Chicago, IL.

Length of Internship: 10 weeks 10/20/25- 1/18/26
Hours: 10 per week

Compensation:

$19.00 / hour

Essential Functions
Intern Responsibilities and Learning Objectives

During the internship, you will work with the staff to:

Learn and assist with weekly activity plans for class visits and field trips.

Become familiar with leading programming in local parks.

Explore different careers within the conservation field.

Learn about and implement stewardship efforts in local parks.

Lead exploration of local parks.

Learn and program around local birds.

Learn and program around local wetlands.

Learn and program around local plants.

Learn about and use digital exploration apps.

Learn and understand the connection between bird and people.

Explore the therapeutic components of nature.

Collaborate on storytelling and documenting experience.

Internship Benefits

Interns will gain experience and knowledge in the following:

Growing skills in research and teaching skills about local natural history (specifically bird identification, plant identification, and waterway identification).

Cultivating capacities in art and design to foster observation skills, perspective taking, collaboration, problem-solving, and visual communication skills.

Leading and co-leading small groups of youth and adults through seasonal programs.

Planning and coordinating public activities and events in an outdoor setting.

Connecting kids with nature through inquiry learning, role-modeling interest, and empathy toward all living things.

Developing effective community and team building skills (including improved public speaking, general communication, and conflict resolution skills).

Building awareness about different career paths within conservation, environmental advocacy, and the many ways they can get involved.

Intern Schedule
This position is for 10 hours per week for 10 weeks. Interns must be able for weekend and weekday hours. Schedule provided prior to hire date.
Projected Start Date

October 20, 2025, and projected end date is January 18, 2026

Qualifications and Experience

Must be 16 to 20 years of age

Must be willing to explore nature

Must be willing to work with other young people

Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization.



Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI278047600