Shape the Future

Offered in partnership with Milwaukee’s Environmental Youth Collaborative, this internship opportunity is specifically for high school students who attend school in the city of Milwaukee. Over the course of Riveredge’s 12-month internship, interns will explore environmental education programs, conservation and restoration initiatives, blue/green careers, and projects focused on strengthening human connections to the natural world and promoting environmental stewardship. Interns also engage in weekly guided enrichment and focused skill building activities. 

The internship is hybrid. In the summer months interns will work at Riveredge once a week, transportation from Milwaukee to Riveredge will be provided. In addition to working at Riveredge interns will participate in weekly programming in Milwaukee and virtual meetings to complete projects. During the fall, winter, and spring seasons interns will participate in monthly programming either at Riveredge, in Milwaukee, or virtually. 

To apply, begin by downloading the position description below and follow the application instructions.

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Questions? Please reach out to Hannah at hsedgwick@riveredge.us

The Riveredge Nature Center Environmental Education Summer Internship is a unique 10 week opportunity for a person  just entering the environmental education field who is willing to learn and work with a dedicated group of staff  and volunteers. The intern will assist with Riveredge Nature Journeys Summer Camp programs. Depending on  the goals of the selected intern, she/he may also assist, observe, and lead Youth and Family programs, Community Rivers programs, and Summer Day Adventure programs. If the Intern chooses to take college and university credit with this program,  Riveredge staff will work with him/her to fulfill requirements when applicable. This position is responsible for  teaching environmental education programs to school-aged students, families and adults, and the delivery of  education events.  

Responsibilities

• Act as an integral member of the summer camp program team.
• Assist with preparation and delivery of Nature Journeys Summer Camp programs. 
• Work with a Co-lead to manage and mentor groups of 10-14 youth ages 3-18 years ensuring their safety, development, growth, skill achievement, and general well being.
• Supervise campers and implement high quality inquiry-based environmental education programs.
• Facilitate and create lesson plans for daily activities.
• Organize and lead various small and large group activities.
• Teach Summer Day Adventure Programs. 
• Assist in caring for any education animals and maintaining educational equipment. 
• Other duties as assigned.

This is a stipend position with the expectation that the intern will work 40-46 hrs/wk. Ideally, the Environmental  Education Intern will agree to work June 8- August 14. While most hours will take place during the Monday-Friday work week, some evening hours are expected.  

Interns will receive a stipend starting at $425/week.

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The Riveredge Nature Center Research & Conservation Ornithological Research Internship is a unique 12- week opportunity for an individual in the field of  environmental research and education, with a specific interest in ornithology. The intern will assist the Research Manager with all aspects of avian research and monitoring projects including planning, fieldwork, data management, education and outreach and report writing.

While prior experience in bird banding is not required, candidates with previous exposure—or a strong interest in gaining experience—are preferred. This internship is ideal for early-career biologists, ecologists, and birders of all skill levels who are interested in pursuing education or a career in the field. The position is designed as a hands-on setting to build practical skills and strengthen a resume. College credit is available with this opportunity. Please inquire.

Responsibilities

• Act as an integral member of the Research & Conservation team.
• Work with the Research Manager and experienced, highly skilled volunteers to learn site-specific research protocols, techniques and procedures for ornithological research and monitoring efforts 
• Assist with preparation, coordination, field work and data collection, quality control, entry, submission, analysis and reporting of avian research and monitoring efforts including, but not limited to: 
  • Weekly passerine (song bird) banding 
  • Breeding bird surveys 
  • Motus nanotagging and telemetry monitoring
• Design a research question to investigate and summarize findings in a report to be shared  
  • As a presentation at Riveredge’s annual Student Research Symposium in November
  • As a publication in the Riveredge newsletter or other local organization publication such as the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology’s Passenger Pigeon or Badger Birder

To read the full position description and application instructions, click the green button below!

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Lake sturgeon are the oldest and largest native fish found in the Great Lakes ecosystem. They were extirpated  from the Milwaukee River over 100 years ago.  Starting in 2006, Riveredge Nature Center teamed up with the Wisconsin DNR to reintroduce sturgeon by raising fingerlings in a streamside rearing facility (SRF) located on our property. This facility enables the sturgeon to imprint on Milwaukee River water so they return to it to spawn when they are adults. The goal of this project is to raise 1,000 – 1,500 fish per year over 25 years which will provide enough mature adults to support a breeding population of lake sturgeon in the river in the future.  This position is part-time, May through September.

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