Shape the Future
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485 acres of Wild Wisconsin.
Riveredge is more than a nature center. Its legacy as a pioneer in the areas of land restoration, research, and inquiry-based education throughout Wisconsin serve as a strong foundation to today’s work.
Riveredge is redefining the role of the nature center in the community by empowering and supporting communities to live in harmony with their natural environment in a way that encourages exploration, adventure, and fun.
Our practicum experience allows college students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world while contributing positively to our mission.
Internship position descriptions
Our internship positions are offered annually. If the position you’re interested in is listed as filled, please consider applying next year!
Environmental Exploration High School Internship for Milwaukee Students Part Time, June 2024 – May 2025
Offered in partnership with Milwaukee’s Environmental Youth Collaborative, this internship opportunity is specifically for high school students who attend school in the city of Milwaukee. Over the course of Riveredge’s 12-month internship, interns will explore environmental education programs, conservation and restoration initiatives, blue/green careers, and projects focused on strengthening human connections to the natural world and promoting environmental stewardship. Interns also engage in weekly guided enrichment and focused skill building activities.
The internship is hybrid. In the summer months interns will work at Riveredge once a week, transportation from Milwaukee to Riveredge will be provided. In addition to working at Riveredge interns will participate in weekly programming in Milwaukee and virtual meetings to complete projects. During the fall, winter, and spring seasons interns will participate in monthly programming either at Riveredge, in Milwaukee, or virtually.
To apply, click the button below to read the position description and fill out the application linked in the document:
Questions? Please reach out to Hannah at hsedgwick@riveredge.us
Native Orchid Research Volunteer (May-July)
Currently, this position is volunteer only (unpaid). If you are interested in applying, please send a cover letter explaining your interest to info@riveredge.us
Native orchids are under severe threat due to loss of habitat or changing habitat conditions and many species are likely to become extinct unless action is taken to conserve them and their fungal partners. Promoting efforts to conserve habitats and to restore native orchids where populations have declined will be essential to the future of these fascinating plant species. Native orchids are known to occur at Riveredge and nearby Cedarburg Bog State Natural Area. This is a long-term project, but 2019 internship support will focus on investigating the biological requirements of several orchid species by collecting baseline information at reference sites where they occur; assisting with hand pollination; and identification of suitable sites for future outplanting of lab propagated seedlings. Field work will occur at Riveredge and other sites in adjacent counties.
Garden and Permaculture Education Intern Volunteer (May – August)
Currently, this position is volunteer only (unpaid). If you are interested in applying, please send a cover letter explaining your interest to info@riveredge.us
The intern will work creatively with the Riveredge Nature Center team of staff and volunteers to develop and maintain the Children’s Garden, outdoor kitchen, and the permaculture site for use by Riveredge Nature Journeys Summer Camps and other educational groups.
(FILLED) Lake Sturgeon Streamside Rearing Facility Intern Position filled for 2024
This position is FILLED for 2024, welcoming new applicants in 2025.
Lake sturgeon are the oldest and largest native fish found in the Great Lakes ecosystem. They were extirpated from the Milwaukee River over 100 years ago. Starting in 2006, Riveredge Nature Center teamed up with the Wisconsin DNR to reintroduce sturgeon by raising fingerlings in a streamside rearing facility (SRF) located on our property. This facility enables the sturgeon to imprint on Milwaukee River water so they return to it to spawn when they are adults. The goal of this project is to raise 1,000 – 1,500 fish per year over 25 years which will provide enough mature adults to support a breeding population of lake sturgeon in the river in the future.
(FILLED) Environmental Education Summer Camp Intern Positions filled for 2024
This position is FILLED for 2024, welcoming new applicants in 2025.
The Riveredge Nature Center Environmental Education Summer Internship is a unique opportunity for a person just entering the environmental education field who is willing to learn and work with a dedicated group of staff and volunteers. The intern will assist with Riveredge Nature Journeys Summer Camp programs. Depending on the goals of the selected intern, she/he may also assist, observe, and lead Youth and Family programs as well as Summer Day Ed-venture programs. If the Intern chooses to take college and university credit with this program, Riveredge staff will work with him/her to fulfill requirements when applicable. This position is responsible for teaching environmental education programs to school-aged students, families and adults, and the delivery of education events. The position is full time June through August.
BENEFITS OF A RIVEREDGE PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE
Hands-on work experience at an organization with over 50 years of history.
Direct training and supervision from Riveredge staff.
Opportunities for networking and professional development.
Chances to work with and learn from the other Riveredge departments.
Did we mention we’re super fun?
“My summer internship experience at Riveredge Nature Center was highly positive and educational; one that I would recommend to other undergraduate students any day. I felt this summer’s opportunity really strengthened my abilities as an undergraduate and has helped me to feel even more prepared to begin a graduate program after graduation.”
Anastasia Wolf-Flasch
UW-Stevens Point