Volunteer

Service Learning Projects

Volunteer Land Stewards

Employment

Internships

Volunteer with ALNC!

Volunteer with ALNC! Learn about nature, gain experience, build your resume and give back to the community. Come once a month or once a week, the sky's the limit!

Click here to see our current volunteer opportunities and download the Volunteer Application Form. Or, call (608) 221-0404 to request a Volunteer Application Form by mail, or to find out more information.

Volunteer Event Assistant

• Help solicit and process in-kind donations
• Write descriptions for Online Silent Auction
• Assist with pre-event prep, onsite coordination and post-event evaluation

Click here to find out more about this volunteer position.

Exhibit Team Volunteers

• Help out on the Aldo Leopold Nature Center’s brand new exhibit floor – all about climate science, renewable energy and sustainability!
• Assist with running the cutting-edge exhibits and theaters, facilitation of climate education, and interaction with children, their families, and teachers.
  
  For more information, or to apply, please contact Brenna Holzhauer by phone at (608) 221-0404 x 5 or by email at brenna@naturenet.com.

Publicity / Marketing Assistants

• Assist with media relations and press releases
• Help organize special events
• Create and distribute promotional materials
• Work with school and community groups
• Organize grassroots support network
• Assist with fund-raising activities
• Conduct background research

Teaching Assistants  

• Assist with public programs
• Make props and materials
• Create teaching visual aids

Office Helpers

• Run occasional errands and do odd jobs
• Organize shelves and teaching supplies
• Help keep the Nature Center clean
• Enter data on computer
• Help with mailings, faxing etc.

Wildlife Researchers

• Keep bird feeders full and monitor visitors
• Build and install bird houses and feeders
• Inventory species ( plants, animals, birds)
• Monitor bird boxes
• Design and monitor other research projects

Service Learning Projects

Would you like to include a conservation service project as part of your group's educational program? Students will learn the context of the larger environmental problem they are helping to solve through their conservation project at ALNC. We offer projects including trail building, trail maintenance, and invasive species eradication (pulling garlic mustard, cutting and hauling Black Locust, tug-a-suckle [honeysuckle removal], cutting seed heads of Reed Canary Grass, and more). contact the Nature Center Director to find out what service projects are available during your visit at 221-0404x2.

Land Stewards & Restorationists -- We need YOU!

STEWARD: The keeper of an estate.

Land Stewards are folks who want to make a positive difference in the environment.

No experience is necessary! Come dressed for the weather and we'll teach you to tell a weed from a wildflower!  Work gloves/garden gloves are always helpful.

Monona Campus 

Saturday, May 12, 2012
9-11:30 am

Saturday, July 21, 2012
9-11:30 am

Saturday, September 22, 2012
9-11:30 am

Interested in helping restore and maintain ALNC's prairie, marsh, and woodlands?  Join us to help control invasives, seed with native plants, get dirty, and have some fun!  Adults and youth welcome.

Black Earth Campus
9am-12pm & 12-3 pm

If you are interested in volunteering for a Black Earth Campus work day, please call (608) 216-9372 or e-mail education@naturenet.com. 

The Black Earth Volunteer Corps meets on the first Wednesday of each month and on select Saturdays. Activities will be seasonally based but will focus mainly on land management projects and invasive species removal. Work days may be cancelled due to inclement weather or planned activities may be modified. Please register for each date and time you plan to work. Upon registering we will email you directions to the Black Earth Campus.

Dates are subject to change, so be sure to get on our mailing list if you are interested, or call the office and check before you come. 

Here are just a few Land Stewards projects:

• Cut honeysuckle and other unwanted brush
• Start seeds at home
• Pull garlic mustard and other "weeds"
• Transplant wildflowers
• Collect and label seeds
• Pick up trash

Employment
Click on the position title for more information.

Spring/Summer Naturalist
The Aldo Leopold Nature Center seeks qualified applicants for several naturalist positions for spring school-year programs (April –early June) and summer camp programs (early June-late August).  The primary responsibility of this position is the planning and delivery of inquiry-based, experiential nature studies programs for summer camp participants (ages 2-16), but also includes school and after-school program groups.

Summer Education Intern
Spend your summer working outdoors with kids!  Each summer ALNC seeks 2 Education Interns to work and assist with summer camp programs.  Summer interships are paid a monthly stipend. 

Exhibit Team Staff
The Aldo Leopold Nature Center seeks energetic individuals to join its Weekend Exhibit Team. Staff is now being hired to assist with the Center’s new public exhibit program on climate change, renewable energy and the environment. Weekend staff will welcome and assist visitors as they explore exhibits, programs and interactive touch-screen exhibits on climate, weather, renewable energy and the environment. This position has been filled – please check back in the future for additional exhibit team openings! If you are interested in becoming involved with the Aldo Leopold Nature Center’s new exhibit area, please take a look at our internships or consider volunteering during any of our public hours. Contact brenna@naturenet.com for more information.

Internships

The Aldo Leopold Nature Center offers many opportunities for meaningful internships for a semester, summer or longer time frames.  Click on the position titles for more information!

Non-Profit Development & Public Relations Internship
(Currently accepting applicants for Summer 2012)
Throughout the year, ALNC offers a Non-Profit Development & Public Relations Internship to assist with outreach, event coordination, fundraising, public relations, grant research, marketing and fundraising. For more information, or to apply for an internship, please contact Alanna Medearis by phone at (608) 221-0404 x 4 or by email at devcomm@naturenet.com.

School Year Education Internships
Each semester ALNC also seeks 1-2 Education Interns to work on a variety of projects, observe and eventually teach hands-on outdoor programs, and assist with program coordination duties.  School year internships are unpaid.

Summer Education Intern
Spend your summer working outdoors with kids!  Each summer ALNC seeks 2 Education Interns to work and assist with summer camp programs.  Summer interships are paid a monthly stipend. 

Climate Education Center Internship
Assist the Aldo Leopold Nature Center with preparation and facilitation of climate education exhibits, curriculum and programs in the new Climate Education Center, designed to teach children, their families and teachers about climate science, renewable energy and sustainability. For more information, or to apply, please contact Brenna Holzhauer by phone at (608) 221-0404 x 5 or by email at brenna@naturenet.com.

Digital Curriculum Internship
Work with Aldo Leopold Nature Center staff to create digital pages for educational touchscreens and web resources (using html, flash and/or equivalent) designed to teach children, their families and teachers about climate science, renewable energy and sustainability in the new Climate Education Center. For more information, or to apply, please contact Brenna Holzhauer by phone at (608) 221-0404 x 5 or by email at brenna@naturenet.com.

Nature Net Internship
Assist Nature Net staff with sharing environmental education resources and opportunities with teachers, families and other organizations in order to enhance the education of children and promote “leaving no child inside.” For more information, or to apply, please contact Brenna Holzhauer by phone at (608) 221-0404 x 5 or by email at brenna@naturenet.com.