# Student Urban Nature (SUN) High School Internship

Paid summer urban-ecology internship for NYC rising juniors and seniors in Queens and Staten Island: field data collection, forest and wetland ecology, and an independent research project.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Natural Areas Conservancy |
| Category | stem |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 11–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | New York, NY |
| Time commitment | ~25 hours/week |
| Apply | https://naturalareasnyc.org/high-school-internship/ |

## About this program

# Student Urban Nature (SUN) High School Internship

The Natural Areas Conservancy's Student Urban Nature (SUN) internship engages New York City high school students in real urban ecology, using a "science identity" framework to build environmental stewardship. Place-based hubs in Forest Park, Queens, and the Staten Island Greenbelt connect interns to the forests, wetlands, and trails in their own boroughs.

## What You'll Do

- Collect field data used to assess the health of NYC forests and wetlands
- Learn flora and fauna identification plus introductory forest and wetland ecology
- Take part in scientific inquiry, monitoring, and restoration projects at the program sites
- Design and carry out a research project using ecological data you collected over the summer
- Attend professional development on public speaking, networking, and resume building, and get mentorship from NAC staff, NYC Parks, and Urban NEST fellows

## Who Should Apply

NYC residents attending an NYC high school in Queens or Staten Island who will be rising juniors or seniors, will be 16 by July 1 of the program year, and live within an hour of the program locations. Applicants need a genuine interest in science research, nature, and outdoor work.

## Outcomes

Interns complete a paid summer of urban ecology research at 25 hours per week in July and August, present a research poster - past projects have examined lichen and crown vigor, soil moisture and leaf litter, and human disturbance in urban forests - and build a mentor network across NAC, NYC Parks, and the Urban NEST program.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Student Urban Nature (SUN) High School Internship cost?

Student Urban Nature (SUN) High School Internship is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Student Urban Nature (SUN) High School Internship?

Student Urban Nature (SUN) High School Internship is open to high school students in grades 11–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Student Urban Nature (SUN) High School Internship online or in person?

Student Urban Nature (SUN) High School Internship is an in-person program based in New York, NY. Expect a time commitment of roughly 25 hours per week.

### How do I apply to Student Urban Nature (SUN) High School Internship?

Apply directly through Natural Areas Conservancy's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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