Help Secure Our Planet’s Future
Help protect vulnerable species and educate the public about the need for conservation. Wrigley Institute conservation internships embed USC students with collaborating organizations for unique, field-based experiences.
Applications for our 2025 conservation internships are now closed. Fill out an interest form to stay up-to-date about 2026 conservation internships.
How it Works
Wrigley Institute conservation internships are paid summer experiences focused on various aspects of conservation careers. Students are sponsored by the institute but based at collaborating Southern California institutions or organizations that focus full-time on conservation.
The experience includes:
- Hands-on conservation work in locations such as wildlands, zoos, or museums
- Mentoring from conservation professionals
- Opportunities to build a professional network in conservation and, in some cases, work as part of a cohort of students from other colleges or universities
Award Details
All conservation internships are paid, but stipends vary by position. See individual internship options for details.
Eligibility
Applications are open to all USC Dornsife undergraduates, with priority given to majors and minors from the Environmental Studies Program.
Internship Options
Applications for 2025 conservation internships are now closed. Fill out an interest form to get notified about 2026 conservation internships.
For examples of the types of positions offered through this internship, see the list of 2025 placements below.
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Location: Los Angeles Zoo – 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Dates: Tuesday-Friday, June 16-August 8, 2025 (mandatory orientation takes place on June 16 and June 17)
Time Commitment: 25 hours/week, for a total of 200 hours
Stipend: $3,556
Housing and transportation: NOT provided. The selected intern(s) must provide their own housing in Los Angeles and transportation to the Zoo work site.
In July 2021, the Zoo released its first Conservation Strategic Plan (CSP), which guides its conservation efforts and expands its positive impact over the next five years. Key to this CSP is an increasing focus on local conservation projects that engage our community members, improve native biodiversity, and help meet the goals of local stakeholders in Los Angeles. This internship will provide opportunities to:
- Gain career experience in zoo and conservation fields;
- Develop technical skills to conduct background research, data collection, and analysis through project-based learning;
- Choose a scientific study related to the native wildlife nearby or on the Zoo campus with peers, enact it, and present on your findings; and
- Gain understanding of conservation, the role of the LA Zoo in it, and the importance of building accessibility and intergenerational stewardship capacity
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Location: Santa Catalina Island, CA
Dates: Monday, May 19-Friday, July 18, 2025
Time Commitment: Full time, 9 weeks
Stipend: $5,400
Housing: Shared housing on Catalina Island included free of charge
The Native Plant Summer Intern opportunity provides necessary support for and day-to-day implementation of assigned Conservation Department plant programs, projects, activities and/or facilities maintenance with specific duties focused in two broad areas:
- Horticulture and restoration
- Vegetation monitoring, depending on the Conservation Department needs and incumbent’s skills and training
2025 Interns
Kawehi Cabuzel, Jose Guzman-Wug, Caylin Mobley, and Steven Wei
Location: Los Angeles Zoo
Project: Improving biodiversity of native species in local areas
Natalie McClure
Location: Catalina Island Conservancy
Project: Invasive plant control and promotion of native plants