Volunteer Opportunties

Volunteers are extremely valuable to Beaver Creek Reserve and they assist in a variety of ways. If you would like to share some of your time and skills with others who are interested in nature, there's a place for you at the Reserve.

Beaver Creek Reserve is a busy place. Besides local folks and tourists enjoying our natural setting, the Reserve's facilities are used regularly for school, scouts, 4-H, church and University groups from throughout west-central Wisconsin. Keeping the Nature Center staffed 52 hours each week, developing programming for more than 550 groups and welcoming 50,000 visitors each year is a complex job. As a result, many opportunities exist for volunteers at BCR, seven day a week.

Volunteers are limited only by their enthusiasm, interests, and time available. The Reserve's volunteer coordinator will match your skills with the right job and give you the resources to get the job done.

Volunteer orientation and in-service training sessions are scheduled periodically throughout the year to familiarize volunteers with the facilities and programs at the Reserve. Volunteers are also eligible to receive scholarships to attend workshops and seminars in their volunteer areas.

What Do Volunteers Do at Beaver Creek Reserve?

Help with Education and Research

• Volunteer Naturalists -- Assist staff naturalists in teaching environmental education programs to groups of all ages.
• Butterfly House -- Raise caterpillars and butterflies in our lab, help care for the flowering plants, or guide visitors in experiencing the wonders of the Butterfly House.
• Greenhouse --Help with the seeding, transplanting, and cultivation of native plant species for our annual Native Plant Sale.
• Citizen Science -- Monitor streams, NatureMap and become a purple loosestrife detective.
• Carpenter -- Build bluebird and bat houses, exhibits, benches, etc. (in the comfort of your home).    

Share Information

• Weekend Receptionist -- Greet visitors, rent equipment, answer phones and staff the Nature Store.
• Weekday Office Assistant -- Answer the phone, greet visitors, take program reservations, rent equipment, help in the Nature Store and assist with filing and mailings.

Public Relations

• Promote Beaver Creek Reserve -- by staffing our traveling display at various community events.
• Newsletter -- Assist in writing articles.
• Mailing -- Help with periodic large mailings.
• Membership -- Participate in retaining and attracting members for the Friends of Beaver Creek Reserve.
• Nature Calendar -- Help with marketing, sales or distribution of calendars to area businesses and schools.
• Special Events --  Help organize or volunteer at the annual French toast breakfast, Booya & Fall Festival, Native Plant Sale, Summer Camps, Earth Day Celebration, Annaul Meeting & Silent Auction and others.

Other Skills

• Maintenance -- Keep trails maintained, paint, assist with ongoing maintenance projects and help with general custodial tasks.

Benefits of Volunteering

•  An opportunity to meet and work with others who share a love of the outdoors
•  Invitations to special volunteer social events
•  Special training sessions designed to help volunteers hone their skills
•  Check out privileges from the Reserve's resource library

•  Some benefits are incremental with hours of service

Consider volunteering at the Reserve today!  You won't be disappointed.