Environmental Educator – Ridges Sanctuary Wisconsin Conservation Corps

The Ridges Sanctuary mission is to promote positive environmental behaviors through impactful educational experiences, land protection and management, 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 1,700 acres comprising fifteen discrete plant communities, 475 inventoried vascular plants, a Boreal Forest glacial relict and twenty-nine 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 seeks a motivated individual to join our team of educators. The primary responsibilities will be developing and leading summer educational programs for The Ridges Backpack Adventure Camps, leading guided hikes for adults and families, and assisting visitors at the Nature Center and along the trail. Other duties include weekly immersion into the organization’s operations, including engaging with ecological research and other land management activities, and developing and completing an individualized project in an area of interest.

If this Individual Placement is successful, the service member may be eligible to renew their service at The Ridges for a 1700-hr term.

• Service Time: May 19 – August 14, 2026 (450 hours total, 13 weeks, 40 hours/week)
• Benefits: Living stipend total for the whole term = $6,500 ($500 per week). An Ameri Corps Education Award of approximately $1,900 will be awarded upon successful completion of service.

• Develop camp curriculum and teach Backpack Adventure Camps for children ages 4 to 11.
• Lead nature hikes, teaching visitors about The Ridges Sanctuary.
• Assist with group tours as needed.
• Participate in special events.
• Develop a report, program, educational materials for staff or visitors based on an individual area of study.
• Assist in developing brochures, programs, activities, and related materials to enhance education efforts.

• Interact with visitors daily and answer questions about The Ridges, the Nature Center, and Door County.
• Manage daily operations for visitors and members including program registration and customer service.
• Help answer incoming phone calls and assist callers with their questions and concerns.

• On rare occasions, the Environmental Educator may choose to assist land management and research staff in various projects throughout the summer, such as orchid monitoring, plant surveys, and trail maintenance.

• Members should be prepared to live in communal housing with other program/organization members.
• Members should expect to have roommates and must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodations. Pets are not allowed.
• Occupants are assigned independent spaces in units with a shared living room, kitchen (with some pots, pans, plates, and utensils), and one or more bathrooms.
• An offsite laundry facility and grocery store are available within a 5-minute drive of the provided housing.
• Occupants will be required to sign a lease for a rate of $50/week, which will outline any other stipulations.
• Housing is located about 25 miles from Sturgeon Bay, WI, which offers several services and amenities.

• Knowledge of local natural and cultural history
• Early Childhood Education Training
• CPR certification and Shaken Baby Syndrome training
• Wilderness First Aid and Leave No Trace trainings will be provided by Wis Corps during the first week
• Ongoing learning opportunities will be offered throughout the summer to expand the service member’s knowledge in education, research, outreach, land preservation, and more.

• At least 18 years of age
• A citizen of the United States, a United States national, or a legal permanent resident of the USA
• It is recommended that the…