July 21, 2026
Meghan O’Toole
Will Cleveland ’26 is restoring ecosystems—and finding his place in conservation
When Will Cleveland ’26 graduated from Lake Forest College, he stepped into a role at the Chicago Botanic Garden that lets him spend every day outdoors while helping restore native ecosystems.
As an ecological restoration technician at the Chicago Botanic Garden, environmental studies major and English minor Cleveland rotates through prairies, woodlands, shorelines, and aquatic habitats, removing invasive species, planting natives, collecting seeds, and learning the science behind conservation.
“What I love most is the breadth of what I’m learning,” he said. “Every day I always learn something new, and I get to work hands on with ecosystems I’ve never worked with before.”
The internship has introduced Cleveland to restoration work across a wide range of ecosystems, including aquatic habitats—an area he had little previous experience with. He says the variety is helping him discover where he wants to focus his career while giving him practical conservation skills.
At Lake Forest, Cleveland built a strong foundation through research and his work as a student-employee in the greenhouse. Classes like Plant Biology gave him a deeper understanding of plant physiology that he now uses in the field.
Looking ahead, Cleveland hopes to build a career where he can make a meaningful impact through conservation: “I want to be doing a job where I can make a difference in something I care about,” he said.
For students considering a similar path, his advice is simple: get involved early. Whether through volunteering or internships, hands-on experience is the best way to discover a passion that can lead to a career.