Join TLC in an amazing, hands-on learning experience designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the field of conservation as a professional.

Who is TLC?: We are a nonprofit organization that focuses on preserving and restoring privately owned land in McHenry County, Illinois. TLC also maintains a number of preserves which are open to the public and provides free/affordable educational programming for the greater McHenry area (and beyond)!

CLIP Directors:

• • • Kathryn Dawdy, TLC Land Preservation Specialist

    • Daniel Pohl, TLC Restoration Ecologist 

Program Description:

The Conservation Leader Internship Program (CLIP) is a paid summer internship that will provide students/youth with hands-on professional training in the field of conservation. Participants will gain experience in areas such as: Plant identification, Land management, GIS/GPS training, Prescribed fire training, Herbicide use, Rare plant monitoring, Wildlife/Stream surveys, Sustainable farming techniques, Land preservation techniques, Field safety, Scientific research/Experimental design, Art in the natural world, Career development and Professional networking.

Collectively, these skills will give each participant a strong understanding of the field of conservation and serve as a springboard for a professional career in the field of conservation.

Eligibility: High School Junior/Senior, college student, or recently graduated. Applicants are not required to be enrolled in a college program. NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.

Requirements: 

• • • Applicants must be willing to work in extreme weather conditions and on adverse terrain.

    • Transportation to TLC Headquarters (4622 Dean St. Woodstock IL) is required. Housing is preferred (*TLC may have limited housing available, inquire within).

Program duration and reimbursement: May 27 – August 14, 2026; 40 hours/week; $15.00/hour (***or college credit).

HOW TO APPLY: The application period is open Jan 15 – Feb 15, 2026. During this period:

1. Fill out the online form. 

2. Write a letter of interest (500-1000 words stating: why would this internship be helpful to you & why is nature important to you)

3. Send resume & letter of interest to: Daniel Pohl, TLC Restoration Ecologist, at dpohl@conservemc.org

Applicants will be chosen by April 15, 2026.

Have questions? Email Daniel (dpohl@conservemc.org) at TLC for more internship details.

Program Details

Field Trips/Networking Opportunities*

• • • Nachusa Grasslands (The Nature Conservancy)

    • Indiana Dunes National Park (The National Park Service)

    • Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (United States Forest Service)

    • Glacial Park (McHenry County Conservation District)

    • McHenry County College (MCC)

*Trips in 2026 may vary slightly

Skills Gained

Plant identification
Land management
GIS/GPS training
Prescribed fire training
Herbicide use
Rare plant monitoring
Wildlife/Stream surveys
Sustainable farming techniques
Land preservation techniques
Field safety
Scientific research/Experimental design
Art in the natural world
Career development
Professional networking

Artwork by CLIP graduate Sofia Oropeza, ’21.

The CLIP Class of ’22 put their knowledge and skills to work by putting together a research report on germination rates of Rudbeckia triloba after garlon chemical treatment.

You can read the report here.