Conservation Careers and Volunteer Opportunities
Winter’s the perfect time to explore conservation job and volunteer opportunities for the upcoming field season, which starts in spring across the United States. Public land agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recruit thousands of seasonal staff and volunteers annually to assist with a variety of projects – from invasive species management and wildlife monitoring to environmental education and interpretive programming. Based on your interests and skill sets, you could be banding birds, finding freshwater fish, or leading wildlife walks this summer!
Depending upon your background and education, specific programs to consider include: Career Discovery Internship Program, Directorate Resource Assistant Fellows Program, Pathways internships, Hispanic Access Foundation job and internship opportunities, and veterans resources(just to name a few!).
You can also discover opportunities through the Student Conservation Association (SCA), American Conservation Experience (ACE), and USAJobs, or contact your local national wildlife refuge, national fish hatchery, or regional recruiter directly to inquire about possible job, internship, fellowship, and volunteer positions.
For more information, visit:https://www.volunteer.gov/ and https://www.fws.gov/workforwildlife/.
Winter Wonderland on Public Lands
Get Outdoors and Explore Cool Winter Activities
It may be cold outside, but that’s no reason to stay indoors! There’s lots to explore on public lands during winter, from sleigh rides and ice fishing to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing! Wildlife viewing and birding opportunities abound and it’s a particularly fun season to look for animal tracksin the snow or mud to identify local wildlife. From snowy owls and snow buntings to river otters and rough-legged hawks, you never know which wintery wildlife might cross your path. Discover 20 public lands to experience this winter across the United States. And don’t miss the stunning “super blue blood moon” appearing on Wednesday, January 31.
Did You Know?
2017 Monarch Migration Most Delayed on Record
Scientists say 2017 was one of the most delayed monarch migrations ever recorded – due to warmer temperatures – with butterflies spotted far north of the Texas-Mexico border as late as November and December. It’s too soon to tell what this means for monarchs in 2018, as results of the monarch overwintering population survey in Mexico are not yet available. It’s possible that fewer monarchs were able to complete their long journey to Mexico so late in the season, or that warmer weather actually spurred a “bonus generation” of monarchs. Learn more about the late migration and explore how you can help monarch butterflies by planting native pollinator gardens with ample milkweed, participating in citizen science projects, and reducing pesticide use. Discover ongoing conservation efforts to safeguard these iconic black-and-orange butterflies, including partnerships with farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners that keep working lands working for people and wildlife.
