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From a Ryan Brady Photo
The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary Orr, MN
"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books." - Sir John Lubbock
Experience the majesty of Minnesota’s Northern Wilderness
Nestled among 360 acres of aspen forest, cedar swamp, marshes, beaver ponds, a primary stream and meadows, The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary is the experience of a life-time. A group of wild black bears frequents the Sanctuary, offering an exceptional and unique opportunity to learn and educate about the true nature of the normally reclusive black bear.
A premiere national and international wilderness destination, the Sanctuary is located within a mere half hour drive of Voyageur’s National Park, Superior National Forest, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The pristine wilderness of the BWCAW boasts water so clean you can drink it unfiltered, quiet so peaceful you can return to life rested, and an experience so intense it will remain in your heart forever. This land is critical habitat for timber wolves, moose, bobcats, lynx, whitetail deer, bald eagles, beavers, mink, pine martens, fishers, red squirrels, owls, ducks, songbirds and ravens, The diversity of plant and animal life makes this the place to experience the true wonder and beauty of the Northwoods.
As a volunteer or intern at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, you will be privileged to call this home. Around the campfire, you will listen to wolves howling in the distance and watch the breathtaking glory of the northern lights dance overhead. You will share stories and memories with new-found friends from around the world. You will experience first-hand black bears, the timid, but powerful symbols of the northern wilderness. You will grow in ways you never expected.
This is the opportunity of a life-time. Get involved. Today. "If you know wilderness in the way that you know love, you would be unwilling to let it go.... This is the story of our past and it will be the story of our future." - Terry Tempest Williams, Testimony Discover the True Nature of the Black Bear
Intern at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary!
“The Best Place in North America to Observe and Photograph Wild Black Bears”
Position Available: Wildlife Intern
Location: Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr, MN
Contact Name: Susan Barrett Executive Director The American Bear Association
Contact Information: 218-757-0172 P.O. Box 77 Orr, MN 55771
Position Dates: Depends on Availability of Applicant
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Position Description:
The ABA is looking for qualified, energetic interns for the Summer 2007 season at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Minnesota's beautiful Northern wilderness. The Sanctuary offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for the public to view and learn about wild black bears. If you are interested in wildlife, especially bears, and spending time outdoors, then this internship might be for you. If you also are interested in conservation, environmental education, working closely with people, putting in long hours of hard work in all weather conditions, and living in rustic accommodations with no electricity, running water, or telephone, then this internship is definitely for you! At the end of the day, you will be dirty, you will be exhausted, and you will smile knowing that you have seen things most wildlife enthusiasts only dream about.
Over 23,000 visitors come annually to the Sanctuary. Interns will educate the public during open hours, 5:00 PM to dusk every day except Monday. This includes, but is not limited to, greeting visitors, pointing out and explaining bear activity, giving interpretive talks on bear ecology and behavior, and answering visitors' questions about bears.
Other tasks during the day will include: 1. Preparing bear food mixes; 2. Helping to put out food; 3. Assisting with general cleanup chores, including scooping of bear scat; 4. Participating in habitat improvement project; 5. Maintaining records on bear activity.
Heavy lifting will be required. Truckloads of supplies such as 50 pound bags of seed, and boxes of fruit and nuts weighing 30-35 pounds are delivered regularly. The intern's day will average 9-10 hours, comprised of a day shift of 4-5 hours and the evening visitors' time, which is 5 hours.
In addition to the above, some interns will be responsible for planning and implementing specific educational programs (to be determined) during the summer. Those interns, with the guidance of our Staff, will develop programs that can be presented to small groups of visitors on a regular basis.
Benefits:
1. Gaining valuable, hands-on experience working with wildlife, natural resources, and environmental education; 2. Experience and learn about the true nature of the black bear; 3. Meeting and working closely with a dynamic team of international and national volunteers; 4. Working without worrying about personal expenses such as housing and food; 5. Challenging yourself to live primitively -without electricity, running water or telephone. (note: shower facilities and laundry are available off-site); 6. Living in the wilderness of Northern Minnesota - a mere half hour drive away from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Voyageur's National Park and the Superior National Forest. Cougars, lynx, moose and wolves are just a few of the many types of wildlife living in and around the Sanctuary.
Qualifications:
The primary requirement is a sincere desire to help promote the well-being of bears and other natural resources through a personal contribution of long hours and hard work. Preference will be given to candidates who are enrolled in or have recently completed post-secondary education in programs such as wildlife management, wildlife biology, environmental education, natural resources, and business administration. However, other applicants with a sincere desire to intern with us will be given serious consideration, as well.
All interns and volunteers must read the ABA Volunteer Manual and be willing to complete a liability waiver form. An applicant must be conscientious, have a good work ethic, and be a team player and self-starter. In addition he or she must be able to follow directions and have good social skills in dealing with the public.
We are looking for applicants who are:
1. Flexible regarding changes in schedule and work tasks. 2. Comfortable being in close proximity to large wild animals such as bears. 3. Able to work closely and cooperatively with other interns, staff, and volunteers. 4. Able to work outside in temperatures ranging from the 30s to the 90s and in all weather conditions. 5. Willing to endure the many biting insects that inhabit Northern Minnesota during the summer. 6. Comfortable talking with the public about the untraditional nature of the VSWS. As a supplemental feeding site, with a 50-year history of feeding wild black bears, we often are controversial. 7. Able to talk opening with our visiting public about hunting, especially bear hunting, and the ABA's neutral stance on such matters. 8. Able to speak conversational English fluently.
EcoVolunteer Application 2007
The American Bear Association & The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary “North America’s Best Place to Observe and Photograph Wild Black Bears”
Please use additional sheets or include a resume if needed. Applications are accepted via Email to bears@americanbear.org or via Postal Service to The ABA / VSWS P.O. Box 77 Orr, MN 55771 USA
PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY
Name__________________________________ Date of Birth _________ Email____________________________
Address______________________________________________________________Telephone_______________
City___________________________________ State__________ Zip________ Country______________________
Valid Driver’s License (state & no.)______________________________ Dates you are available_______________
Please rank your interest/skill level (1 being most interested/skilled; 3 being least interested/skilled): ___Grounds / Vehicle Maintenance ____Office Work ____Cook ___Environmental Education ____Gift Shop ____Bear Food Prep ___Admissions / Parking Lot ____ Special Programs ____ Research ___Highway Clean-Up ____Habitat Restoration ____Other:____________
Do you have an RV or Trailer?______________________ Willing to Work Weekends?_______________________
Employment Status: Full Time_______ Part Time_______ Unemployed______ Retired________ Student_______
Occupation____________________________________________________________________________________
Education (name and location):
High School________________ College______________________ Field/Degree____________________
Other volunteer experience (please give dates, locations, details of work completed):_________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Special Skills / Certifications / Experience___________________________________________________________
Outdoor Interests, hobbies or special training and skills_________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
First Aid Training (please indicate highest level of certification)__________________________________________
CPR Certification?__________________________________________ Expiration Date_______________________
Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony?______ If yes, explain____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Below is a list of questions relating to issues that will be relevant to you while at the Sanctuary. Please read through them and make your comments on a separate sheet. Your answers will not necessarily have any bearing on whether you are accepted as a volunteer. They simply enable us to learn a little more about each candidate so we can form a better idea of the person we might be working alongside. Please keep your answers fairly brief.
1) Required work at the Sanctuary is often very physical and sometimes tedious. You may be weary and tired after a long day, and yet you still have to face the visiting public at 5pm. While we realize you have already expressed your interest in volunteer, please briefly tell us again why you think it would be worth it despite the “conditions.”
2) Do you have a medical history we should be aware of? Do you have any allergies?
3) Do you have any special dietary requirements? The VSWS provides meat and non-meat meal options.
4) Do you hold a driving license? If yes, have you driven both manual and automatic transmission? If you are unable to operate a manual transmission, we highly suggest you learn prior to your arrival at the Sanctuary. If coming as an International Volunteer, do you hold a valid International Driving License? If no, we strongly suggest you obtain one prior to your arrival at the Sanctuary.
Agreement
As a potential volunteer/intern, I understand the following:
* The American Bear Association discourages the feeding of wild black bears in all circumstances; however, the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary has continued to manage the pre-existing condition of feeding wild black bears for the purpose of maintaining a unique education and research opportunity. The feeding of wild black bears continues to be a controversial issue and, as such, interns, volunteers, and employees are often asked to discuss our feeding program.
*Volunteers and/or interns are expected to be self-motivated yet still able to work within a team.
*The American Bear Association holds a neutral policy on the issue of hunting and trapping. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and sometimes hold totally opposite positions on this issue. It is critical to remember that the central mission of our organization is education and research, and, as such, everyone needs to feel welcome at the sanctuary. Volunteers, interns, staff, and the general public should feel comfortable at our facility, regardless of their personal views on hunting, trapping, logging, and other similar “controversial issues.” It is absolutely vital that while working at the sanctuary you respect the American Bear Association’s position and maintain its official neutral stance on such matters.
*Staying on-site requires sharing living quarters with other volunteers and/or interns of the same sex. You will be asked to set aside personal differences for the main purpose of achieving the goals of the American Bear Association and the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary.
I hereby declare that the information provided on this application is true and complete.
Signature__________________________________________________________Date________________________
Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary Supplemental Application Only those interested in an Internship/School Credit should complete this form
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE CLEARLY
Intern Program Information If you are applying as part of an internship program with an accredited college or university, please provide a copy of your college transcript (does not need to be notarized), a reference from your supervising professor, and the following information:
Title of Program / Course_________________________________________________________________________
Description of Program / Course___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Description of Internship Requirements_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Description of Supervision Requirements and Reports__________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Name and Address of University___________________________________________________________________
Name of Supervising Professor_______________________________________ Telephone ____________________
College Transcript: Attached__________ To Follow___________
Reference From Supervising Professor: Attached__________ To Follow___________
Additional Information about your College Program___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Supplemental Questions:
Why do you want to be an intern for the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary? __________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Describe your health and level of fitness_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Please use additional sheets or include a resume if needed.
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