Description
Position Service Site: Mississippi Valley Conservancy and Friends of the Blufflands (La Crosse, WI)
Service Time: June 6 – August 26, 2022 (450 Hour Term) (40 hours/week) (12 weeks)
Benefits: Living stipend total for whole term = $4,026.72 (335.56 per week) Education Award = $1,718.25 upon successful completion of service.
Requirements: Covid-19 Vaccine Required
OVERVIEW: Mississippi Valley Conservancy (the Conservancy) and Friends of the Blufflands (FBL) collaboratively work to protect and restore the unique habitats of the Driftless Area of SW Wisconsin.
• Mississippi Valley Conservancy is an accredited nonprofit land trust that works with conservation-minded landowners who choose to permanently protect land through conservation easements and land acquisition efforts.
• Friends of the Blufflands is a nonprofit based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Their mission is to promote sound conservation practices in the Coulee Region blufflands and to be a voice for a wide variety of blufflands users who value the area blufflands for the increased quality of life they provide.
SERVICE DESCRIPTION: The AmeriCorps Land Steward and Outreach Member will provide opportunities for gaining practical conservation stewardship and outreach skills while exploring career options, to promote community service and environmental awareness through community engagement and volunteerism in the outdoors.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Land Stewardship
• Assist with habitat management and restoration of native prairie, forest, oak savanna, and wetland habitat on Conservancy-protected land throughout southwest Wisconsin.
• Gain skills and expertise in several aspects of wildlife habitat management, including species identification, timber stand improvement, prescribed burning, prairie planting, oak savanna and prairie restoration, invasive species control, and trail maintenance.
• Operate and maintain chainsaws, brush cutters, herbicide applicators, mowers, and UTVs to accomplish habitat management tasks as assigned.
• Assist with installing, improving, and updating kiosks, signs, and trails.
• Help supervise school and volunteer groups during land restoration workdays.
Outreach
• Help broaden the base of habitat restoration volunteers to expand land management activities on nature preserves.
• Assist with Naturehood Connections, the Conservancy’s community outreach program with the goal of engaging local families and nature preserve neighbors of all ages in land restoration, volunteer fieldwork, conservation education, and nature exploration.
• Help schedule and lead volunteer workdays and guided nature discovery walks for participating families and individuals to help them feel confident and prepared for working on their own.
• Keep detailed records of volunteer hours, program activity, and event attendance for continual program improvement and grant reporting.
• Use basic budgetary and financial guidelines to manage expenses.
• Assist with documenting and promoting the Naturehood Connections program by photographing activities and participants in the field.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:
• Chain saws, brush cutters, shovels, wheelbarrows, Pulaski, pickaxe, and other hand tools
• UTV operation as needed
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Physically fit and able to perform field duties while exposed to adverse conditions such as inclement weather and biting insects.
• Willingness and ability to use herbicides, chainsaws, and any other tools required to complete assigned tasks.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and working vehicle.
• Knowledge of habitat restoration principles and practices preferred.
• Forestry, ornithology, or other natural resources specialty preferred.
• First aid, CPR certification preferred.
• Herbicide/pesticide applicator certification preferred.
• Advanced SAW, FISTA, or other chainsaw certification preferred.
• Prescribed or wild land fire experience preferred.
Individual Placement AmeriCorps Members serve with WisCorps partner organizations focused on the areas of natural resource conservation and environmental education. Members promote community service and environmental awareness through direct training and service in the outdoors while participating in community engagement projects. Service Members serve at a single placement site, receive a biweekly stipend and AmeriCorps benefits that correlate to their term of service. Upon successful completion of their service hours, Individual Placements receive a Segal Education Award correlating to the number of service hours completed.
Position Service Site: Mississippi Valley Conservancy and Friends of the Blufflands (La Crosse, WI)
Service Time: June 6 – August 26, 2022 (450 Hour Term) (40 hours/week) (12 weeks)
Benefits: Living stipend total for whole term = $4,026.72 (335.56 per week) Education Award = $1,718.25 upon successful completion of service.
Requirements: Covid-19 Vaccine Required
OVERVIEW: Mississippi Valley Conservancy (the Conservancy) and Friends of the Blufflands (FBL) collaboratively work to protect and restore the unique habitats of the Driftless Area of SW Wisconsin.
• Mississippi Valley Conservancy is an accredited nonprofit land trust that works with conservation-minded landowners who choose to permanently protect land through conservation easements and land acquisition efforts.
• Friends of the Blufflands is a nonprofit based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Their mission is to promote sound conservation practices in the Coulee Region blufflands and to be a voice for a wide variety of blufflands users who value the area blufflands for the increased quality of life they provide.
SERVICE DESCRIPTION: The AmeriCorps Land Steward and Outreach Member will provide opportunities for gaining practical conservation stewardship and outreach skills while exploring career options, to promote community service and environmental awareness through community engagement and volunteerism in the outdoors.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Land Stewardship
• Assist with habitat management and restoration of native prairie, forest, oak savanna, and wetland habitat on Conservancy-protected land throughout southwest Wisconsin.
• Gain skills and expertise in several aspects of wildlife habitat management, including species identification, timber stand improvement, prescribed burning, prairie planting, oak savanna and prairie restoration, invasive species control, and trail maintenance.
• Operate and maintain chainsaws, brush cutters, herbicide applicators, mowers, and UTVs to accomplish habitat management tasks as assigned.
• Assist with installing, improving, and updating kiosks, signs, and trails.
• Help supervise school and volunteer groups during land restoration workdays.
Outreach
• Help broaden the base of habitat restoration volunteers to expand land management activities on nature preserves.
• Assist with Naturehood Connections, the Conservancy’s community outreach program with the goal of engaging local families and nature preserve neighbors of all ages in land restoration, volunteer fieldwork, conservation education, and nature exploration.
• Help schedule and lead volunteer workdays and guided nature discovery walks for participating families and individuals to help them feel confident and prepared for working on their own.
• Keep detailed records of volunteer hours, program activity, and event attendance for continual program improvement and grant reporting.
• Use basic budgetary and financial guidelines to manage expenses.
• Assist with documenting and promoting the Naturehood Connections program by photographing activities and participants in the field.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:
• Chain saws, brush cutters, shovels, wheelbarrows, Pulaski, pickaxe, and other hand tools
• UTV operation as needed
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Physically fit and able to perform field duties while exposed to adverse conditions such as inclement weather and biting insects.
• Willingness and ability to use herbicides, chainsaws, and any other tools required to complete assigned tasks.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and working vehicle.
• Knowledge of habitat restoration principles and practices preferred.
• Forestry, ornithology, or other natural resources specialty preferred.
• First aid, CPR certification preferred.
• Herbicide/pesticide applicator certification preferred.
• Advanced SAW, FISTA, or other chainsaw certification preferred.
• Prescribed or wild land fire experience preferred.
Individual Placement AmeriCorps Members serve with WisCorps partner organizations focused on the areas of natural resource conservation and environmental education. Members promote community service and environmental awareness through direct training and service in the outdoors while participating in community engagement projects. Service Members serve at a single placement site, receive a biweekly stipend and AmeriCorps benefits that correlate to their term of service. Upon successful completion of their service hours, Individual Placements receive a Segal Education Award correlating to the number of service hours completed.
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Living Allowance
$1340
-
$1340 monthly
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Additional Benefits
Living stipend total for whole term = $4,026.72 (335.56 per week) Education Award = $1,718.25 upon successful completion of service.
Education Requirements
GED
Desired Certifications or Qualifications
• Physically fit and able to perform field duties while exposed to adverse conditions such as inclement weather and biting insects.
• Willingness and ability to use herbicides, chainsaws, and any other tools required to complete assigned tasks.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and working vehicle.
• Knowledge of habitat restoration principles and practices preferred.
• Forestry, ornithology, or other natural resources specialty preferred.
• First aid, CPR certification preferred.
• Herbicide/pesticide applicator certification preferred.
• Advanced SAW, FISTA, or other chainsaw certification preferred.
• Prescribed or wild land fire experience preferred.
Desired Languages
English
Other Conditions
Subject to criminal background check