Become a Site Steward

Share your knowledge and skills to protect community and habitat health.

What is a Site Steward?

Legally protecting land from development is only the first step in conserving habitats, water, and wildlife. With more than 6,700 acres of land protected for public access, your Conservancy needs dedicated site stewards to help with the management and restoration of our 27 nature preserves.

Site stewards are the eyes and ears for Conservancy Nature Preserves. Stewards, working with guidance from Conservancy staff, assist in the goals of land protection, management, education and research on a site they choose to steward. Some tasks that may be a part of a steward's duties include:

  • Regular visits to the site
  • Reporting observations from site visits
  • Learning about the protection and management goals for the site
  • Assisting with habitat management activities
  • Participating in site projects and events
  • Leading small volunteer workdays on your site to complete land management projects

Take a look at the complete list of steward responsibilities and the reporting form for use as a site steward:

Is being a Site Steward right for me? Consider these factors:

Location, location, location!

How far the site is from you and from the nearest road will factor into travel time to get to it.

  • Do you enjoy the challenge of navigating to a very remote spot that is not easily accessed?
  • Or do you want to be able to jump right into a nearby site that is on a main road?

The size of sites varies greatly and will impact the time needed for stewardship.

  • Would you like focusing in great detail on a small, 5 acre site?
  • Or will a site over 1,200 acres satisfy your desire for exploring large open spaces?

Habitats on a site will determine what you will need to wear or equipment you may need.

  • Do you have waders, binoculars, or lots of sunscreen necessary to complete your duties?

In general, the closer the site is to larger cities, the greater the chance you will have for volunteers to assist you in site projects.

If you're a good birder, botanist, or brush-cutter you can put those skills to use on the right site.

These factors all boil down to the time and effort you're willing to invest in being a site steward!

How can I become a Site Steward?

First, find out which sites are available on our website here. Then download the application form, fill it out, save with your name as file name, and email it to genesis@mississippivalleyconservancy.org

If you have questions, send an email to Genesis, or call her at 608-784-3606 ext. 6.

 

Photo of site steward Pat Caffrey by volunteer photographer Peyton Rudy.