Thank you for your interest. The 2024 application period is now closed. 

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:

• Kim Elsenbroek: Land Conservation Specialist with the Land Conservancy of McHenry County.
• Megan Oropeza: Restoration Ecologist with the Land Conservancy of McHenry County.

Thank you for your interest. The 2024 application period is now closed. 

HOW TO APPLY: The application period  is open Jan. 4,-Feb. 9, 2024. 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: [email protected] and [email protected]

Program Description:

The Conservation Leader Internship Program (CLIP) is a paid summer internship that will provide underserved communities such as women and BIPOC students/youth with hand-on professional training in the field of conservation. Participants will gain experience 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 Senior or Freshman/Sophomore in college. 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 – August 2024; 40 hours/week; $15.00/hour (***or college credit).

HOW TO APPLY: The application period  is open Jan. 4,-Feb. 9, 2024. 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: [email protected] and [email protected]

Have questions? Email Kim Elsenbroek at TLC for more internship details.

Want to help? Make a donation to support CLIP today! 

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.