The Ridges - Summer Naturalist Intern (Lawrence-Funded Internship)

The Ridges

About The Ridges Sanctuary

The Ridges Sanctuary’s 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 1700 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. 

Position Summary

The Ridges Sanctuary is looking to hire a motivated Summer Naturalist Intern to fulfill duties in the areas of environmental education, land preservation, and research. This is a paid position averaging 40 hours a week from the end of May through August, including most weekends. The primary responsibilities will be developing and leading educational interpretive programs for Ridges visitors, assisting with programs and events, creating engagement materials for visitors, leading guided hikes for adults and families, and assisting visitors at the Nature Center and along the trail. Other experiences include weekly immersion into the operations of the organization, including the Orchid Research Project, Land Management, and other special projects throughout the summer. This position will report to the Director of Programming.

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

*Affordable Housing is available for this position. 

Duties & Responsibilities

Interpretive and Educational Programs

• Implement interpretive programs and experiences for visitors.
• Assist in developing materials in the Nature Center to enhance the visitor experience.
• Lead Sanctuary Guided Hikes, teaching visitors about The Ridges.
• Assist with Ridges programs and events, including Free Fridays and Naturalist Chats. 
• Assist with group tours as needed.

Visitor Services – Reception Desk

• Interact with visitors daily and answer questions about The Ridges, the Nature Center and Door County.
• Manage daily operations for visitors and members to include program registration, customer service, store sales, and other needs.
• Help answer incoming phone calls.

Internship Project

• Develop and implement at least one program or a series of programs pertaining to an area of interest at The Ridges Sanctuary. 
• Create educational materials based on the program topic to be utilized by Ridges visitors, staff, and/or volunteers in the Nature Center. 

Other duties as assigned.

Required Dates

The Summer Naturalist Intern position tentatively starts on June 15 and ends on August 21. Interns will be expected to work some evenings and weekends throughout the summer. There is some flexibility in weekly scheduling except for the date below, on which the Summer Naturalist Intern must be present. 

• Annual Meeting: August 1

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

• Experience in developing and delivering programs to a public audience. 
• Energetic and enthusiastic personality to help inspire visitors and collaborate with co-workers.
• Knowledge of local natural history helpful, but not required.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to manage a dynamic work schedule.
• Withstand the physical demands of work which involve lifting, carrying, bending, and hiking across uneven terrain.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

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