Restoration Ecology Summer Intern Program
Each year, Lake Forest Open Lands hires between 6-10 high school, college or post graduate students seeking hands-on experience within the field of ecology for our Summer Intern Program. This 8-week paid internship focuses on restoring degraded wildlife habitat, preserving high-quality prairie parcels and maintaining public trails as well as increasing knowledge of native flora and fauna. The internship also has a direct educational component - Intern Education Days - which happen one day each week. Education Days may include field trips to other local environmental organization, guest speakers as well as data collection training for science programs.
This program is the result of a partnership with our area sponsors who generously assist us in funding the cost of this special program. For summer 2010 we would like to recognize the following sponsors:
Becky and Blair Nagel
Maureen and Dennis Brown
Barbara and Karl Nagel
Santa Barbara Foundation
Martha and Howard Simpson
Nancy and Jeff Conover
Alison and Kurt Kohlmeyer
Jennifer and Steven Swift
Marilyn and Glenn Blackmon
Gay and Otto Georgi
Elizabeth and Sam Blodgett
Ella and Jon Flusser
Ann and George Lyon
Ann and Cliff Miller
Pamela and Don Suter
Camp Counselor Positions
This position has been filled for 2012. Please check back in December 2012 for 2013 Camp Counselor positions.
Work with outdoor-oriented people to lead students in local summer nature camps. Responsibilities include daily supervision of a crew of eight campers, camp prep and takedown. Camp meets Monday through Friday and hours are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s Mellody Farm Nature Preserve. Daily activities include investigating local ecosystems, teaching outdoor skills such as fire building, campfire cooking, knot tying, animal tracking, canoeing & biking.
Applicants must:
- be energetic, enjoy working with children, have a love of the outdoors.
- have a knowledge of local ecosystems. Knowledge of flora and fauna of northeastern Illinois is preferred.
- be at least 18 years of age and have a valid drivers license and certified in CPR and First Aid by start date.· It is strongly recommended that applicants have experience working with children and outdoor experience in camping, canoeing etc.
This is a wonderful opportunity for educators and environmental science students to gain hands-on teaching experience. Training begins June 4, 2012 and camps run through August 17, 2012. No camps the week of July 4th.
All applicants must be available for the entire camp season. Interested candidates must fill out this
application and return to
Karen Lewis, Environmental Education Coordinator, 350 N Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Seasonal Environmental Educator
This position has been filled for 2012. Please check back in December 2012 for the 2013 Seasonal Environmental Educator position.
This position offers college students and graduates an opportunity to gain professional experience in the field of environmental education. Responsibilities include leading outdoor field studies for kindergarten through high school age students and assisting in volunteer training and supervision. The seasonal educator will work as a camp counselor during the summer and assist in camp planning and design. Tasks may include natural history research, prop construction and curriculum planning. The Seasonal Educator will also assist in the everyday running of the Nature Center, which may include answering the phone, greeting the public, and animal care.
Applicants must:
- be at least 18 years of age and either enrolled in or graduated from a college program in biology, environmental science, education or a related field.
- have an outgoing personality and a respect for the natural world.
- have teaching experience and familiarity with the natural history of our region is encouraged.
Duration: April to November, 2012; 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday with occasional nights or weekends.
Interested Candidates must fill out this application and return to Karen Lewis, Environmental Education Coordinator, 350 N Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Center for Conservation Leadership Counselor Position
Lake Forest Open Lands is hiring three counselors for its Center for Conservation Leadership, a summer experiential education program for twenty 13 – 15 year old students.
Counselors supervise and guide students in a three-week summer residential camp experience focused on leadership, conservation, and environmental issues at various venues in northern Wisconsin. Counselors oversee the students in activities such as canoeing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, wildlife monitoring, fishing, biking, camping, high and low ropes courses. They support the instructors in leadership and team building and oversee residential life of students. Applicants must be at least 20 years of age, able to swim and must have:
- Experience and interest in outdoor activities and environmental education;
- Camp experience;
- Experience and interest in supervising and leading middle school aged students;
- A valid driver’s license. Must be 25 years old to drive van.
- Water Safety, Lifeguarding, CPR and ability to drive van are a plus.