Beaver Creek Reserve is a busy place. Besides local folks and tourists who want to enjoy our natural setting, the Reserve's facilities are used regularly be school, scout, 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 40,000 visitors each year is a complex job. As a result, many opportunities exist for volunteers at BCR, both on weekdays and weekends.

Volunteers are limited only by enthusiasm, interests, and available time. Our 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, help care for the host and nectar plants and guide visitors in experiencing the wonders of the Butterfly House.

• Greenhouse --Plant and cultivate native plant species for the Butterfly House and the Native Plant Sale.

• Citizen Science -- Monitor streams, NatureMap, become a purple loosestrife detective.

• Carpenter -- Build bluebird and bat houses, exhibits, benches, etc. (at your home).

Share Information with our Guests 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

• Publicize the Reserve -- Promote Beaver Creek Reserve by staffing our traveling display at various community events.

• Newsletter -- Assist in writing, editing or graphic design. 

• Mailing -- Help address and mail newsletters, membership letters, calendars and info about special events.

• Membership -- Participate in retaining and attracting members for the Friends of Beaver Creek Reserve.

• Calendar Project -- Help with marketing, sales or distribution of calendars to retail outlets and schools.

• Special Events --  Help with special events such as French toast breakfast, Nature Nuts and Butterfly Camps, Earth Day, making maple syrup, silent auction and other events.

Other Skills

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