Naturalist - The Ridges Sanctuary

The Ridges Sanctuary mission is to promote positive environmental behaviors through impactful educational experiences, land management and protection, 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 1600 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.

The Ridges Sanctuary is seeking motivated individuals to join our team of naturalists. The primary responsibilities will be developing and leading educational programs for The Ridges Backpack Adventure Camps, leading guided hikes for adults and families, and to assist visitors at the Nature Center and along the trail. Other experiences include weekly immersion into the operations of the Organization including our Orchid Research Project, Land Management, and developing and completing an individualized project in an area of interest.

Training that will be provided, if not already completed:

• Knowledge of local natural history
• Early Childhood Education Training
• CPR certification and Shaken Baby Syndrome
• Throughout the experience, there will be ongoing learning opportunities to expand your knowledge in education, research, preservation, and more!

To learn more or apply, visit https://www.wisconsinconservationcorps.org/ipopportunties