Tree Care Intern - Summer 2026

Western Reserve Land Conservancy•Cleveland, OH

6h•$17•Onsite

About The Position

Western Reserve Land Conservancy, a northeast Ohio non-profit organization, is seeking several Tree Care Interns for the summer of 2026. This position will carry out maintenance and monitoring of young, newly planted trees at Land Conservancy planting sites in the City of Cleveland, Ohio. BACKGROUND Western Reserve Land Conservancy provides people with essential natural assets through land conservation and restoration. Headquartered in Moreland Hills, Ohio, we are the largest land conservancy in Ohio and nationally accredited by the Land Trust Alliance. Serving an area of 29 counties from the Pennsylvania line to the Sandusky Bay, the Land Conservancy has permanently conserved more acreage than Cleveland Metroparks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park combined. We work with private and public landowners, farming families, neighborhood development corporations, corporations, county park systems, local residents and many more to help create communities nourished by vibrant natural lands, working farms and healthy cities. Thriving Communities, our urban revitalization program, is nationally recognized for thought leadership on removing blight; creating land banks statewide to find productive uses for vacant properties; and revitalizing communities through greening strategies. Our mission is funded through a combination of program revenue, government grants, and philanthropic gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations. The mission of Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Reforest Our City Program is to increase Cleveland’s tree canopy by growing trees, advocating for mature trees and engaging residents and volunteers. Since its inception in 2015, Reforest Our City has planted and given away 15,000 trees in the City of Cleveland. ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY The Tree Care Intern will report to the Manager of Community Forestry and be supervised by the Tree Care Coordinator. They will be empowered to grow trees in Cleveland’s lowest canopy neighborhoods. An appreciation of trees and a demonstrated commitment to the Land Conservancy’s mission are essential. The Intern will be a part of team that is passionate about trees, conservation, and restorative justice in Cleveland’s neighborhoods. We will train you to: Provide critical care to grow newly planted trees, including: Watering trees with (3) 5-gallon pails of water per tree per week, carried to each tree by hand or using a 2-wheel cart. Mulching trees, including carrying mulch to each tree in bins Weeding tree beds Replacing stakes and trunk guards on trees Report on tree health and greenspace conditions Use landscaping tools and power equipment to maintain vegetation Your impact will be: Tree planting sites that are welcoming greenspaces for the community Engaged community members interested in the sites and trees Growing Cleveland’s urban canopy to provide the benefits of trees to neighborhoods that have experienced historic disinvestment You will need: To welcome working outside every day, sometimes in inclement or uncomfortable weather conditions. To enjoy working collaboratively on a team Interest in trees, plants, and/or urban forestry To be comfortable working in Cleveland’s urban neighborhoods SCHEDULE June, July, August Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 3:30 pm Additional weekend work may be required with schedule adjustments on weekdays to accommodate. This position will start June 1, 2026 and run until August 28, 2026. Some flexibility with start and end dates may be possible, depending on Reforest Our City obligations and priorities. It is possible one or more intern positions might be extended into the fall if the intern is able to do so. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXPERIENCE Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to work outside in all types of weather and lift, push and pull 60 pounds Experience working in a team setting in adverse weather conditions Valid driver’s license and safe driving record COMPENSATION This is an hourly position with a pay rate of $17 per hour, and it is eligible for overtime. Since this is a summer internship position, no benefits or vacation are provided. However, the individual will be paid for any Land Conservancy holidays that fall on a scheduled workday. Western Reserve Land Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to hiring staff members who represent the rich diversity of our community. At the Land Conservancy, all employees and applicants for employment are judged on their merits. The Land Conservancy is committed to providing an environment free of illegal discrimination of any kind, and does not base any employment decisions on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, religion, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other protected category under federal and state laws.

Requirements

To welcome working outside every day, sometimes in inclement or uncomfortable weather conditions.
To enjoy working collaboratively on a team
Interest in trees, plants, and/or urban forestry
To be comfortable working in Cleveland’s urban neighborhoods
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work outside in all types of weather and lift, push and pull 60 pounds
Experience working in a team setting in adverse weather conditions
Valid driver’s license and safe driving record

Responsibilities

Watering trees with (3) 5-gallon pails of water per tree per week, carried to each tree by hand or using a 2-wheel cart.
Mulching trees, including carrying mulch to each tree in bins
Weeding tree beds
Replacing stakes and trunk guards on trees
Report on tree health and greenspace conditions
Use landscaping tools and power equipment to maintain vegetation