Natural Areas Land Manager

~ This exceptional nature center straddles 1.5 miles of the Milwaukee River and offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails access a variety of woodlands, established prairies, meadows, and wetlands on 379 acres. ~

With a bird checklist of 186 species, 600 plant species, boardwalks, a viewing platform and beautiful visitor center, this property is a bird watcher's paradise.

Environmental education is a key mission along with land and water conservation. Riveredge programs offer students the opportunity to experience and investigate the natural environment under the guidance of skilled environmental educators.

Emphasizing outdoor experiences in all seasons, the Riveredge "style" is characterized by small group learning that encourages inquiry, exploration, and problem-solving. Through the process of science-based, hands-on inquiry, learners build their own answers.

The Riveredge sanctuary is a "learning laboratory" that is at the center of its educational opportunities. The biodiversity of the land at Riveredge provides a teaching tool for understanding interconnectedness, development of specific sustainable systems for energy, shelter, food, waste, water, and land management and is integrated into Riveredge's programming. 

Position Overview  

The Land Manager will work as part of the Riveredge Nature Center (RNC) team of staff and volunteers. This position is responsible for the successful creation and implementation of property management plans and stewardship activities for Riveredge Nature Center properties and covenants.

The position also works with a variety of stakeholders including landowners, conservation organizations, government agencies and the general public. In addition, this position is involved in many aspects of day-to-day operations of the Center's conservation activities. 

Responsibilities 

Land Management   

• Serve as the lead staff for land management planning and implementation for the Riveredge sanctuary under the leadership of the Director of Research and Conservation.
• Develop and update land management plans for the RNC sanctuary. Initial work will focus on developing a threeyear plan to identify priorities for work to be done (in consultation with the Director of Research and Conservation and the Conservation Team), including activities to identify, protect and restore species at risk habitat.
• Implement management tasks set out in management plans, including habitat restoration and infrastructure
• (e.g., signs, trails, educational kiosks).
• Develop and supervise programs for land management work undertaken by contactors and volunteers
• (restoration projects, invasive species removal, logging objectives, etc.).
• Produce GIS maps for land management objectives.
• Collaborate with Director of Research and Conservation to serve as a regional resource for student interns in both research and stewardship.
• Provide direct oversight of part-time land stewardship staff and interns conducting land management objectives.
• Direct and educate the volunteer Habitat Healers group in land management activities as well as developing plans to facilitate other methods for encouraging volunteer stewardship work on the RNC Land.
• Organize, lead, and provide logistical support for land management volunteer work days and programs including.
• Earth Day and assist with RNC outreach and fundraising events, as necessary.
• Maintain land management equipment and supplies.

Other Responsibilities: 

• Work with the Director of Education and other educational staff to develop and incorporate land stewardship activities into school programming on and off-site the RNC property.
• Provide monthly progress reports on land management projects to the Director of Research and Conservation.
• Prepare quarterly articles for the RNC newsletter as necessary.
• Integrate technology into day-to-day work and visitor interactions with the land as appropriate.
• Assist in staffing the Visitor Center approximately one weekend day per quarter.