Student Experiences in Conservation

Student Experiences in Conservation Branches into New Fields

Student Experiences in Conservation /

Summer 2026 has come and gone, but the positive impact made by each student intern is here to stay at Shirley Heinze Land Trust. With the support of generous donors, foundations, and university partners, Shirley Heinze hosted 14 college students from 7 universities in its 2026 summer cohort. Over a 10-week period, these students worked on a variety of projects, offering valuable support to Shirley Heinze staff. Alongside staff mentors and volunteers, students honed their skills in conservation planning, stewardship […]

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45 Stories for 45 Years: Growing Roots — A Full-Circle Moment at Meadowbrook

45 Stories, Student Experiences in Conservation /

Each year, Shirley Heinze Land Trust hosts a summer Student Experiences in Conservation program for college students interested in pursuing careers in conservation. The program has increased steadily in size and scope over time, this year to a record of fifteen interns. As part of their summer experience, a few of this year’s interns were

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Planted in Purpose: An Unexpected Chapter in Conservation

Student Experiences in Conservation /

This blog was written by one of our 2026 Student Experiences in Conservation interns, Aria, and originally published by Valparaiso University’s Institute for Leadership and Service. I’d forgotten just how much I love nature. As a little girl, I spent a lot of time outdoors–looking for creeping bugs, playing in the dirt, and collecting flowers.

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The interns in our Student Experiences in Conservation program smile for a photo at the Flora Richardson Preserve.

Student Experiences in Conservation: 2025 Recap

News, Partnerships, Student Experiences in Conservation /

This summer, Shirley Heinze Land Trust proudly welcomed its largest-ever cohort of summer interns–twelve college students representing a wide range of academic disciplines and interests. As part of our broader Student Experiences in Conservation program, these internships provided hands-on, real-world experience in fields like ecological restoration, environmental science, and community outreach. Thanks to the generous

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Welcoming Our 2025 Student Interns

Student Experiences in Conservation /

This summer, Shirley Heinze Land Trust is excited to welcome our largest group of summer interns yet–12 passionate and curious college students who make up the 2025 Student Experiences in Conservation cohort. These internships are part of our broader Student Experiences in Conservation program, which creates hands-on learning opportunities for both high school and college

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Researching Indiana frogs

Indiana’s Disappearing Frogs

Lydick Bog Nature Preserve, News, Partnerships, Student Experiences in Conservation /

This article was originally written by Thaddeus Lipinski and published on February 17, 2025, by the South Bend Tribune. It’s 8:45 p.m. on a warm spring night at Lydick Bog Nature Preserve, seven miles west of South Bend. As darkness creeps over the pond, a concealed orchestra comes to life, and the bog begins to

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Student Experiences in Conservation: Summer Internship Program Summary

Community Engagement, Partnerships, Student Experiences in Conservation /

The Student Experiences in Conservation summer internship program at Shirley Heinze Land Trust is over, and it was fantastic. It’s truly amazing what these students were able to accomplish in a relatively short period of time. While it would be far too exhausting to draft a comprehensive narrative capturing the full breadth of their experiences

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Student Experiences in Conservation: Welcome Summer Interns!

Community Engagement, Partnerships, Student Experiences in Conservation /

This summer Shirley Heinze Land Trust is hosting 11 interns–our largest summer internship cohort to date! Broadly speaking, summer internships are part of our Student Experiences in Conservation program, which encompasses a variety of student-centered engagements with young people in both high school and college. During the summer, these internships are awarded to college students

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