Habitat Restoration

One focus of the program will be habitat restoration and stewardship. The Intern will help by coordinating logistics, managing records and helping the Refuge staff to achieve regional resource priorities by working directly with volunteers and school groups conducting habitat restoration of shortgrass prairie, collecting native grass and forb seeds (including milkweed on Service lands for monarch butterflies as well as other native forbs identified as important species by Refuge biologists). There are thousands of acres of prairie currently under restoration, providing ample opportunities to gain real-world experience that the Intern will carry throughout their career.

The Refuge has all of the resources and facilities to make this program successful. The Intern along with Refuge staff will develop curricula about shortgrass prairie. Seeds will be collected and supplied to the Refuge. Native seeds are very expensive and any amount of seed given back to the Refuge will help in future restoration projects.

Environmental Education Specialist Tom Wall will serve as the staff lead for this project. Tom has more than 13 years of experience teaching, developing curricula, and building community programs and relationships.

Tom’s experience as an Education Specialist in Commerce City for two years in an fast paced urban setting as well as experience as an Enrichment Specialist with the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin included cultural staff development for 100 + teachers and administrators in the urban setting of the Green Bay Public Schools, and coordination of special events and after school programs for high school youth with an emphasis on service learning, cultural relevance and environmental education and conservation.

Finally, this project has the support of the Refuge’s Project Leader and Visitor Services Manager and Chief of Operations, along with Natural Resource Program managers. The Refuge is providing a world class visitor center and environmental education building along with all of the materials, expertise and training to ensure that the Intern will have the tools and equipment needed to be successful in this position.

This position is PLC eligible which means the intern is eligible for Non-competitive Hiring Status for available Permanent Federal positions that they qualify for after serving 640 hours on projects that include at least 120 hours on Federal public lands/facilities. More details available from the site supervisor.

• US Citizenship Required
• Driving Logistics
• Valid Drivers License Needed
• Personal Vehicle Required
• A personal vehicle will allow the member to travel during off hours to sights and location for recreation purposes.

SCA’s mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.