The Stewardship and Ecology of Natural Areas (SENA) Program combines the Chicago Botanic Garden’s science and natural areas stewardship expertise in an inclusive, accessible training program focused on career and educational advancement.

SENA ecological restoration technicians work under the guidance of ecologists in the Garden’s woods, prairie, lakes, and shorelines—removing unwanted species, establishing native plants, and conducting prescribed burns. Through hands-on work and unique training experiences, technicians gain the skills, certifications, and confidence needed to build a career in habitat restoration.

What is SENA?  

The SENA experience is built around a group of full-time, paid, ecological restoration technicians who are committed to addressing the environmental challenges facing our region. For nine months, this group learns from Garden ecologists and scientists, local partners, and each other.

The SENA program features three main components:

Hands-on restoration work
Led by experienced ecologists in the Garden’s woods, prairie, lake, and shorelines.

In-depth training
focused on practical knowledge

• habitat restoration techniques and research approaches in different ecosystems
• project and budget management
• certifications in chainsaw use, herbicide application, prescribed burning, and more
• inclusive leadership
• career readiness skill development

Personalized employment planning and mentoring 
Helps each technician identify their learning and career needs during and following the program.

SENA training focuses on relationship building and community engagement, providing technicians opportunities to support regional restoration initiatives through partnerships with nonprofits, local governments, universities, and businesses. 

Apply to join SENA

Check back here in December 2025 for 2026 program application information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden offers 13 paid ecological restoration technician positions in our Stewardship and Ecology of Natural Areas (SENA) Program.

Who should apply:

Anyone interested in exploring or advancing a career in habitat restoration and natural areas
stewardship, or related green industry and scientific fields.

Pay rate:

• Starting at $18.36/hour
• Additional $50/week travel allowance

The position:

• Technicians work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, starting at 6:30 a.m.
• Approximately four days per week are spent conducting habitat restoration in the
  Garden’s natural areas with ecologists.
• Approximately one day per week is dedicated to training—learning how to understand
  and care for natural areas, gaining management certifications, and preparing for a
  career.

Application review timeline:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting January 9 until all positions are filled.

SENA technicians plant a new floating garden along Wild Mile on the North Branch Canal of the Chicago River. The SENA program collaborates with local partners, such as Urban Rivers, to help technicians learn through conservation efforts outside the Garden. 

Why SENA?  

Confronting our most urgent environmental challenges requires a new generation of conservation leaders. Thousands of habitat restoration specialists are needed to understand, protect, and repair native habitats and people’s connection to them.  

Employers are looking for well-trained, knowledgeable professionals who are prepared to contribute immediately. The Garden established SENA in 2023 to meet this growing need.

Within six months of completing the program, more than 90% of SENA technicians have secured employment in the green industry or pursued further education and training. SENA graduates increase their plant identification skills by 40% and earn at least two professional management certifications (e.g., herbicide application, prescribed burning) on average.

The SENA career pathway program:

Centers plant knowledge.

Healthy native plants are essential to thriving habitats, and knowledge of plants is the foundation of effective habitat restoration. The SENA program emphasizes plant identification skills and learning the underlying science of managing invasive plants and native plant communities.

Incorporates practices and lessons from the Garden’s nationally recognized career pathway programs.

SENA distinguishes itself by offering a combination of paid training, expert mentoring, and career pathway guidance during and following the program. The program is inspired by the Garden’s Windy City Harvest (WCH) career pathway programs and Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Conservation Corps programs. SENA collaborates with WCH and the Forest Preserves on local habitat restoration and native seed production. 

Prioritizes making habitat restoration careers accessible to everyone.

Lack of access to training and career opportunities marginalizes people—particularly those who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, economically disadvantaged, and LGBTQIA+. SENA is committed to recruiting in communities impacted by disinvestment and overburdened by pollution, and provides an inclusive environment to work and learn.