Within Audubon Nebraska, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center (SCP) focuses on grassland bird conservation by restoring and maintaining the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, and the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary (Rowe) focuses on conservation of the Platte River ecosystem and the birds that rely on it. Habitat restoration and maintenance is a critical need for a thriving bird community in both large landscapes and in small yards. In Nebraska, public and conservation lands are limited in number, so habitat managers at both Centers are actively experimenting with different management techniques and monitoring the results. These results are shared among conservation partners and with local landowners to influence habitat management beyond each Center.
Audubon Nebraska seeks to hire a one year position that will work primarily at Rowe Sanctuary, but will spend time working at Spring Creek Prairie. By the end of the year, the Conservation Young Leader will have gained experience in ecosystem restoration techniques (invasive species removal, prescribed burns, grazing), monitored habitats and species, established contacts with multiple conservation partner organizations, and conducted several outreach activities. This individual will also be responsible for building community connections and partnerships to increase the use of native plants through Audubon’s Native Plant PRO program that includes community proclamations, community resolutions and ordinances that favor native plant use. This Conservation Young Leader will also spend one week at an Audubon center in another state to enhance their experience and network.
Audubon Nebraska is dedicated to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourages applications from people of color and women.
The intern will conduct habitat restoration and management activities and be assigned other duties primarily at Rowe but also at SCP.
- Help implement habitat management plans.
- Work closely with habitat management leads, state and Center staff, and volunteers.
- Assist with maintenance and monitoring duties such as livestock handling and fence repair, conducting prescribed fire, and woody plant control (including chain-saw work).
- Assist with invasive species control work using various techniques, including herbicide application.
- Work with all staff, interns, students, and volunteers assigned to inventory and monitor flora and fauna.
- Meet with community officials regarding native plant use within local communities.
- Identify opportunities for additional native plant use in local cities and towns.
- Work with volunteers to increase awareness of native plant benefits for birds locally.
- Meet with local plant nurseries to increase available native plants for landscaping.
- Help with visitor center operations as well as public outreach and education programs related to species and habitats.
- Assist with building and vehicle maintenance and repair, light landscaping, walking trail maintenance, and other duties as assigned.
- Help communicate the importance of habitat work through required writing and photography for social media posts, newsletters, etc.
- Receive on-the-job and/or formal training opportunities in prescribed fire implementation, herbicide application, field survey techniques, etc.
- Project leadership opportunities available for individuals with advanced experience in using GIS, photography, or plant or bird id/survey techniques.
- Experience will be considered in lieu of education with training or education in a science related field, environmental education or natural sciences.
- Must have a team-focused attitude, and the ability to professionally represent Audubon Nebraska and the network.
- Must have comfort working independently, as a leader and part of a team. Ability to follow instructions from colleagues, with little supervision, and at irregular hours.
- Must be comfortable organizing meetings and building relationships.
- Some/Occassional evening and weekend hours required.
- Must have access to reliable vehicle and current valid driver’s license with ability to provide for own transportation to Spring Creek Prairie near Lincoln, Nebraska, when necessary. Ability to work for extended multiple days at Spring Creek Prairie. Travel between Centers will be compensated.
- Ability to operate – or willingness to learn to operate – various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g., lawn mower, chain saw, tractor, ATV).