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INTERN NATURALIST POSITIONS
at
Sarett Nature Center
Sarett Nature Center is a
non-profit organization dedicated to environmental education for schools and the
community. Intern naturalists play an active part in achieving this goal by participating
in all aspects of operating the Nature Center.
Sarett is visited by 25,000 school
children each year. The majority of an intern's time is spent teaching a variety of
natural history programs. Program topics include: ornithology, entomology, geology, forest
succession, dune formation and ecology and wildlife habitats. In the fall we spend a
lot of time exploring fresh water ecology while paddling on the rivers and lakes of the
area in our 34 foot replicas of the French-Canadian voyageur canoes. We also have
fall programs that concentrate on pond study, tree I.D., fall wildflowers and nature
preparing for winter. During the winter we explore the out of doors on cross country
skis and snowshoes. Spring once again brings out our voyageur canoes as well as
spring wildflowers, natural communities, wildlife habitats and once again, pond
study. Summer gives you an opportunity to design and implement classes on
natural history topics of your choice. This summer our titles included: nature
photography, Sarett survivors, rock and roll, water wonders, starry starry nights, and our
favorites, mucking in the marsh and things that go bump in the night. If you love
nature and kids this is the place for you.
Teaching natural history to
children and adults requires good communication skills, creativity, a desire for
knowledge, and a willingness to face new challenges. Since most teaching is done while
hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, or climbing dunes, interns need to be
in good physical condition.
While at Sarett Nature Center,
interns are encouraged to develop and present a weekend program for the public and/or to
complete a project of their own such as design and construct an interpretive display or a
new nature trail system, or to engage in field research. Interns are also expected
to lead interpretive walks, maintain trails, and to help care for our resident animals.
Sarett will offer regularly
scheduled staff training sessions to introduce interns to the natural systems of Southwest
Michigan and the material covered during our educational programs. However, the best
training is achieved by observing other naturalists at work and actively participating in
the daily activities of the Nature Center.
Internships are for a minimum of
one season and no longer than three seasons. Our seasons are: summer (June-August), fall
(September-December), and winter/spring (January-May). Interns can expect to work forty
hours per week. This includes weekend hours. You will receive an hourly salary
plus housing.
To apply for an internship
with Sarett Nature Center, send an updated resume, cover letter, and three references to:
Dianne Braybrook - Naturalist, Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Road, Benton
Harbor, MI 49022. Please indicate the season(s) you are interested in. For more
information about the Nature Center or our internship program, please call Dianne at (269)
927-4832.
E-Mail Dianne
SARETT HOURS: Nature Center Building
Tuesday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Sunday 1:00-5:00 PM
Phone: (269)927-4832
e-mail us
Our trails are open dawn to dusk every day.
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