Park/Area: CHUGACH STATE PARK - EAGLE RIVER NATURE CENTER The half million acres that make up Chugach State Park are filled with rugged mountains, ice caps, and sweeping glaciers. Wildlife abounds, including brown and black bears, Dall sheep, moose, wolves, lynx, bald and golden eagles and all five species of salmon. Anchorage has grown up next door to this amazing wilderness and residents and visitors find a quick retreat in the park. Recreation includes hiking, climbing, wildlife viewing, rafting, mountain biking and horseback riding. With mountains rising almost 7,000 feet in elevation just above the Nature Center, it's no wonder that Walter Mendenhall called the Eagle River Valley a "miniature Yosemite". Yet, the Nature Center is just a short 45-minute drive from Anchorage. The Nature Center is the trailhead to 26 miles of the most scenic miles of the Historic Iditarod/Crow Pass Trail. The trail system also includes a short ¾ mile interpretive trail (Rodak Nature Trail); a 3-mile loop trail that takes you to the shores of the glacially-fed Eagle River; and a backcountry trail that takes you above the valley to Dew Lake.
Friends of Eagle River Nature Center, Inc. assumed management of the Nature Center in 1996 from Chugach State Park. The organization is a 501( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit dedicated to serving the community with educational and recreational programs, maintaining and improving the surrounding trails, protecting and restoring habitat, and providing visitors with information about the area and park. Friends raised funds through memberships, donations, parking fees, fundraisers, corporate contributions, grants, facility use fees, gift shop sales and group instruction.
Main Tasks: Leading and/or assisting staff naturalists with interpretive programs for K-12 schoolchildren. Curricula and training will be provided by staff naturalists, but the candidate must have a degree in the natural sciences and some teaching experience. Besides leading programs (topics range from animal tracking to forest ecology) the position requires assisting with organizing handouts and materials and set-up both before and after a program.
Desired Skills: Degree in the natural sciences (botany, biology, ecology, etymology, zoology, geology) and some experience working with children. Students completing their degrees will also be considered (internships).
Allowance/Housing: Stipend up to $200/week (dependant on experience). Two-room cabin with a wood stove, and no electricity. Access to all modern amenities inside the nature center, including bathroom with shower, shared kitchen, and internet access. Vehicle will be available for occasional use.
Time commitment: April 1 through early June.