Volunteer and Internship Opportunities

The opportunities for volunteer and intern participation at Shaw Nature Reserve are many and varied. We appreciate your interest in working with us and look forward to hearing from you. We are very happy to share SNR with you!

Volunteer Positions

ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT: Help with gathering and sowing native plant seeds and habitat management through invasive species control, prescribed burns and glade restoration. On the job training.

HORTICULTURE: Work in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden includes greenhouse propagation, planting, and maintenance of the five-acre garden. Volunteers are also needed for plant sales, special events, and data entry. On the job training is offered.

TEACHER-NATURALIST: Teach children outdoors, September through May. Classes are hands-on with a focus on sensory awareness and ecological concepts. Other duties may include assisting with adult and family classes and special events. This work involves a minimum of one day per week during the school year and a monthly training session. Initial training is given and required.

TOUR GUIDE: Conduct Wilderness Wagon and bus tours of the Reserve on an as needed basis. Training is offered seasonally.

VISITOR CENTER: Provide information and directions for Reserve visitors as they arrive at the Visitors Center. Collect admission fees and answer the telephone. Computer skills would be helpful, but not necessary. Must be personable and enjoy people.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE-CARPENTRY: Assist the Construction Manager with a variety of construction and maintenance projects. Help maintain all structures on the Reserve grounds. Jobs might include painting, window and door repair, building shelves and other shop work in a fairly well-equipped wood shop. Knowledge of building trades and/or woodworking is helpful.

If you are interested in volunteering at Shaw Nature Reserve, call: (636) 451-3512 or email the volunteer coordinator.

Skills may be improved by taking this class offered by Univeristy of MO Extension.

A training program to help you discover the natural Missouri by developing your skills as a naturalist, resource scientist, botanist educator or recreations specialist. You'll gain a wealth of natural science information in classes given by some of Missouri's finest biologists and build new friendships with others who share a love of Missouri's outdoors.

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Intern Positions

 

Education

Paid internships are offered for the fall or spring semesters for college students with a major in elementary, science or biology education.

Each intern will:

  • Participate in program preparation and presentation for a variety of audiences
  • Help develop curriculum and interpretive materials
  • Participate in teacher and volunteer training programs

Interns will work with staff who are actively involved in science education in the outdoors. Interns will be exposed to a wide variety of hands-on science activities and resources.

These resources include:

  • Teaching strategies in the outdoors
  • Science curriculae and materials
  • Shaw Nature Reserve as a field site for science instruction

For more information, contact Karen Bryan at (636)451-3512 ext. 6008.

 

Horticulture

The horticulture department offers paid public horticulture summer internships in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden for horticulture students.  Interns work flexible hours April through June.  Complete job description

Responsibilities: Interns are involved with various aspects of maintenance and development in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden, including planting, weeding, pruning, seed collecting, propagating, and watering native plants. A special project regarding native plants is requested.

Qualifications: Applicants must be motivated, seriously interested in horticulture and native plants, and willing to perform hard work in a garden setting. Position is suitable to students interested in horticulture, landscape design, natural resources, or plant related sciences. 

Application process: Complete an internship application (download), three letters of recommendation (one from your major professor and one from a past or present employer), and a letter of intent. The letter of intent should be brief, outlining your professional interests in addition to why you would like to work at Shaw Nature Reserve.

For more information, contact Scott Woodbury at 636-451-3512 ext. 6078 tel.

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