The Ridges - Ecological Restoration Assistant (Lawrence-Funded Internship)

The Ridges

About The Ridges Sanctuary

The Ridges Sanctuary mission is to protect the Sanctuary and inspire stewardship of natural areas through programs of education, outreach, and 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. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Ridges Sanctuary seeks a motivated individual to join our team of conservationists. The primary responsibilities will be to assist with the management and restoration 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 be trained on the local flora and fauna, best management practices, and will be expected to have strong interpersonal skills to interact with our staff, volunteers, visitors, and partners.

Tentative position dates are June 15 - August 21. Schedule is subject to flexibility. 

*Affordable Housing is available for this position. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Land Management and Restoration (70%)

• Collaborate with the Land Manager and other staff to implement conservation and restoration projects at the Sanctuary. 
• Contribute to restoration plans and assist with the implementation of recovery actions in degraded areas, including conducting plant and animal surveys, invasive species management, and native plantings.
• Assist with trail maintenance and improvement projects to maintain and increase visitor accessibility.
• Help monitor all parts of the property regularly for potential illegal activity and misuse, including conducting boundary surveys.
• Work with staff and volunteers to help maintain the preserve, grounds, and facilities.

Other Duties (30%)

• Conduct an independent project focused on ecological restoration.
• Assist with research efforts for the Orchid Restoration Project, Dwarf Lake Iris Restoration Project, Boreal Climate Survivability Project, and other research activities as needed.
• Visitor engagement responsibilities will include giving guided hikes, assisting at the front desk of the nature center, and greeting visitors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 18 years of age
• Some education and/or work experience related to ecology, land management, or related field is helpful, but not required
• Energetic and enthusiastic personality to interact and collaborate with co-workers, volunteers, and visitors
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to withstand the physical demands of work which sometime involves lifting, carrying, bending and hiking across uneven terrain in potentially inclement weather conditions and in the presence of biting insects
• 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

HOUSING:

• The Ridges Sanctuary provides on-site 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. Occupants are assigned individual rooms in units with a shared living room, kitchen (with some pots, pans, plates, and utensils), and one or more bathrooms.

TRAININGS OFFERED:

• First Aid & CPR, in addition to mandatory Emergency Protocol Training
• Knowledge of local natural and cultural history
• Ongoing learning opportunities throughout the summer to expand one’s knowledge in preservation, research, education, outreach, and more.

The Ridges Sanctuary is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally-protected status.

Compensation:
This internship is part of the Lawrence-Funded internship program. The student selected for this internship will receive a $5k stipend to help cover housing and transportation costs and living expenses. For additional details and to see other Lawrence-Funded opportunities, please visit this webpage. 

Before applying, you must meet with a Career Center staff Ty Collins for a resume review, or your resume must achieve green status in VMOCK.  If your resume does not meet professional expectations, you may be asked to resubmit your resume.  Please make an appointment with the Career Center here on Handshake.

• Once your resume is approved, you will then apply directly in Handshake by March 27th, 2026.

Please ask Michelle Buchinger for more details about how funding works Michelle.m.buchinger@lawrence.edu