Audubon’s Wings internship program invites students and recent graduates to help shape a healthy environment and vibrant future for birds – and all of us who share the planet with them.
The Sharon Audubon Center is a nature center and wildlife sanctuary owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. The nature center is located in the northwest corner of Connecticut, in the town of Sharon. The Sharon Audubon Center has over eleven miles of scenic hiking trails, and includes 1,147 acres of mixed forest, meadows, wetlands, ponds and streams. The mission of the National Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of the Earth's biological diversity and humanity. The Sharon Audubon Center strives to meet this mission through education, conservation and environmental research to encourage the responsible usage and stewardship of natural lands.The Sharon Audubon Center offers educational programs for all ages, nature programs, wildlife rehabilitation, research, live animal exhibits, a children's adventure center, a nature store, and a natural history library.
Interns have a furnished apartment on-site at the Miles Wildlife Sanctuary with private bedrooms and a shared kitchen, bath and living room. Students should arrange for school credit with their advisor beforehand, if applicable.
Education interns will learn from experts in the field of conservation education while gaining exposure to informal education techniques both inside and outside of the classroom. Expand your Wings at Audubon and learn how to:
- Research and develop educational conservation programs;
- Create teacher resource materials for outreach;
- Draft, review and modify curriculums;
- Lead field trip and camp programs; and
- Organize community outreach and involve the community in conservation efforts.
Audubon Sharon, consisting of the Sharon Audubon Center and Emily Winthrop MilesWildlife Sanctuary, has been connecting people with nature for over fifty years. Creating life-changing experiences that enable community members and their families to appreciate, understand and protect the natural world is at the very core of our mission.
During this Environmental Education Internship, this person will:
- Assist with the teaching of environmental education programs to school groups both on and offsite.
- Teach, along with another educator, the Sharon Audubon Center Summer Nature Programs for children in grades K-6. Children visit the Center for 6-8 hours each day during weeklong sessions. Activities range from discovery hikes, pond explorations, live animal programs, nature crafts and games. The summer naturalists design the curriculum for these programs and conduct the programs with the help of volunteer assistants.
- If applicable, assist with the planning, set-up and implementation of any special events taking place during this time period.
- Assist with other aspects of running a nature center, such as answering telephones, wildlife rehabilitation, public education programs, answering requests for information from the public, running the Nature Store, and helping with many other facets of a Nature Center's day to day operation.
Through these actions, the intern will sharpen or broaden their environmental education skills by learning how to effectivey:
- relay natural history material to students of all ages while in the field
- relay hands-on environmental education and natural history topics to students while in the classroom
- speak with the public in person and on the telephone regarding natural history and wildlife questions
- write and carry out curriculum for students featuring a variety of natural history lessons, games, crafts and activities
- manage time for age appropriate lessons and activities
- plan and implement special programs and events for the community and beyond
- accomplish the every day tasks of a Nature Center are run (customer service, wildlife rehabilitation, mailings, communication with volunteers and the general public, etc.)
This is a four month position running early May through late August. The Environmental Education Intern works under the guidance and direct supervision of the Education Program Manager, however, the entire staff is available to interns for special interest sessions, guidance and assistance. The intern may also work with Center volunteers, the general public, school teachers and parents.
- Some teaching experience, preferably in environmental education, and/or curriculum development is necessary.
- Confident in leading a group and initiating activities, working independently and team teaching.
- Strong work ethic, natural history background, self-motivation, on-going enthusiasm, commitment, flexibility, a desire to learn, and the ability to work well with others and with children.
- A current driver’s license and own vehicle are required.
- CPR and 1st Aid Certification are highly recommended.