Summer Conservationist

Position Title: Summer Conservationist (Position Announcement PDF)

Position Service Site: The Ridges Sanctuary (Baileys Harbor, WI)

Service Time: May 27 – August 15, 2025, 2025 (450 hours total, 40 Hours/Week)

Benefits: Living stipend total for the whole term = $6,000 ($500 per week) Education Award of approximately $1,900 upon successful completion of service. To find out more about the Award, https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award/find-out-more

Housing that is within walking distance of the service site is provided for $50 per week.

OVERVIEW: The Ridges Sanctuary mission is to promote positive environmental behaviors through impactful educational experiences, land protection and management, and ecological research. The Ridges was established in 1937 after Albert Fuller, then Curator of Botany at the Milwaukee Public Museum, began spending a significant amount of time surveying the landscape. Fuller spearheaded a grassroots movement to protect this incredibly diverse property and establish Wisconsin’s first land trust. The Ridges now protects over 1700 acres comprising fifteen discrete plant communities, 475 inventoried vascular plants, a Boreal Forest glacial relict and twenty-six of Wisconsin’s forty-nine native orchids. The Ridges has also established popular early childhood education programs, a nationally recognized Orchid Restoration Project, and welcomes over 35,000 visitors to our Nature Center each year.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: The Ridges Sanctuary seeks a motivated individual to join our team of conservationists. The primary responsibilities will be to assist with the management of the Sanctuary under the direct supervision of the Land Manager. Additional responsibilities include conducting an independent project and assisting with research projects, programming events, and visitor engagement as needed. This candidate will possess knowledge of local flora, best management practices, and strong interpersonal skills to interact with our staff, volunteers, visitors, and partners.

Training that will be provided, if not already completed:

• Knowledge of local natural and cultural history
• Throughout the experience, there will be ongoing learning opportunities to expand your knowledge in preservation, research, education, outreach, and more!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Land Management: (80%)

• Work collaboratively with the Land Manager and other staff to implement conservation activities and projects at the Sanctuary.
• Assist with various land management activities, including invasive species mapping and control efforts.
• Assist with trail maintenance and improvement projects to maintain and increase visitor accessibility.
• Give guided hikes, when necessary, which requires a working knowledge of the cultural and natural history of The Ridges, including local flora and fauna, history and founding of The Ridges, geologic history of The Ridges, etc.
• Help monitor all parts of the property regularly for potential illegal activity and misuse.
• Help monitor trail systems for disruptions or hazards that could disrupt visitor access.
• Assist in checking The Ridges trail cameras as part of the WI-DNR’s SnapShot Wisconsin program.

Other Duties:

• Conduct an independent conservation project focused on research or management. (10%)
• Assist with research efforts for the Orchid Restoration Project, Dwarf Lake Iris Restoration Project, and Boreal Climate Survivorship Project, and other research activities as needed. (10%)
• Perform other duties assigned as necessary.

HOUSING: Members should be prepared to live in communal housing with other program/organization/agency members. Members should expect to have roommates and must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 18 years of age
• Some education and/or work experience related to ecology, land management, or related field is preferred
• Energetic and enthusiastic personality to interact and collaborate with co-workers, volunteers, and visitors
• Excellent communication skills
• Withstand the physical demands of work which sometime involves lifting, carrying, bending and hiking across uneven terrain in potentially inclement weather conditions
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions
• Upon hire, a criminal background check will be conducted. Service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability, and need to access information in an alternative format, or need it translated into another language, please contact us at 608-782-2494, by email at [email protected] or Wisconsin Relay 711.