NWR offers internships to university students to fulfill internship credit in certain fields, or for students wanting to gain hands-on experience in the fields of Wildlife Management, Veterinary Medicine, and Animal Science.
Spring Internship - In 2024 , Spring Internships will take place at the Baldwin Wildlife Center in Omaha, NE. These internships are volunteer, and all travel, food, and lodging costs are the responsibility of the intern. Stipends may be available. We will accept applications from any current student of at least sophomore standing or recently graduated university student in the United States. 6 Spring Internships are available January - May, 2024.
Duties include:
- Feeding orphaned wildlife
- Cleaning and disinfecting wildlife cages and nurseries
- Assisting in the care of injured and ill adult wildlife
- Creating and implementing enrichment for wild patients
- Assisting with the intake of new patients as needed
- Serving as an ambassador for NWR and Nebraska's native wildlife
- Documenting patient feeding and medical treatments
- Cleaning tasks as assigned.
Spring interns will work an averaage of 20 hours per week during this 20-week internship.
Summer Internship (Level 1) - In 2023 , the Level I Internships will take place at the Baldwin Wildlife Center in Omaha, NE. These internships are volunteer, and all travel, food, and lodging costs are the responsibility of the intern. We will accept applications from any current student of at least sophomore standing or recently graduated university student in the United States. 24 Level I internships are available in the summer of 2023.
Duties include:
- Feeding orphaned wildlife
- Cleaning and disinfecting wildlife cages and nurseries
- Assisting in the care of injured and ill adult wildlife
- Creating and implementing enrichment for wild patients
- Assisting with the intake of new patients as needed
- Serving as an ambassador for NWR and Nebraska's native wildlife
- Documenting patient feeding and medical treatments
- Cleaning tasks as assigned.
Level 1 interns work an average of 21 hours per week during this 12-week internship.
Summer Internship (Level 2) - These internships take place at our satellite site in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. Interns have the option to live on site and work an average of 40 hours per week. Housing and a stipend are provided to all Level II Interns. Applicants for Level II Internships must have a minimum of 250 hours of prior wildlife rehabilitation experience, with preference given to students having previously completed NWR's Level I Internship, and the ability to work independently. Three Level II internships are available in the summer of 2023.
Duties include:
- Cleaning and care of wildlife in outside pre-release cages.
- Enrichment and oversight of the wilding and release of wildlife.
- Participating in rescues and transportation of wildlife.
- Animal tracking and reporting.
Level 2 interns will work a minimum of 12 weeks in the summer. 16- and 20-week options may be available.
Level 2 interns must have a minimum of 250 hours of previous wildlife rehabilitation experience and a valid driver's license.
Application Links
Important Dates for 2023
2024 Spring Internships - Dates to Note:
Come back this summer for our 2024 spring internship deadline dates!
2023 Summer Internships - Dates to Note:
March 1, 2023 – Application Deadline for Level I and Level II Summer Internships
Starting March 6, 2023– Interviews for all Summer Internships
March 20, 2023 – Notification Date for all Summer Internships
Internship - Level 1
May 15-19, 2023 – Internship - Level 1 Training*, **
May 21 – August 12, 2023 - Internship - Level 1
*Training for these internships will take place all 5 days from 9 AM to 5 PM each day. Selected interns must attend all 5 days of training. All materials, breakfast and lunch will be provided each day.
** University of Nebraska system students may have finals during that week. We will make accommodations for finals weeks for selected interns.
Internship - Level 2
May 15-19, 2023 - Internship - Level 2 Training, Orientation, and Move-In Days
May 21 – August 12, 2023 - Internship - Level 2
