Aspen Center for Environmental Studies

Duration:  June 4 - September 3, 2007 (June 5-16 mandatory staff training)

Location: Aspen, CO

Position Title:  ACES Summer Naturalist
ACES conducts an intensive Summer Naturalist Internship program that trains and employs 14 naturalists each year. This program has been recognized by the Princeton Review as one of America's top 100 internships. Summer Naturalists receive valuable education, training, and experience while they conduct environmental education programs and natural history interpretive tours. These programs take place at Hallam Lake Nature Preserve, Aspen Mountain, Snowmass and at the Maroon Bells.

Housing: Housing will be provided

For more information: http://www.aspennature.org/

Description:
• Assist with management of the visitor center and 25-acre nature preserve.
• Teach environmental education programs for children.
• Lead interpretive nature walks at Aspen Mountain, Snowmass and the Maroon Bells in the White River National Forest
• Conduct birds of prey programs with ACES' resident injured birds of prey including a golden eagle.
• Involvement in special projects including caring for the resident birds of prey, caring for the indoor plants and live animals, upkeep of the indoor trout stream and rearing troughs, and development and maintenance of the self-guided trails.

Qualifications:
Educational background in the natural sciences, environmental education, or related field; interested and enthusiastic about environmental education; self-motivated with a sincere interest in the environment; experience working with the public. First aid & CPR certification.

Funding
$150/wk stipend additional funding available through the Center for the Environment Summer Leadership Fellowship Program; see application instructions.

Requirements:
Students must be in their Junior or Senior Year and must also complete the ACES summer internship application as well as the MHC Universal Application. (Please submit ACES application to the CE) 

About the Organization:

Mission Statement
To inspire a life-long commitment to the earth by educating for environmental responsibility, conserving and restoring the balance of natural communities, and advancing the ethic that the earth must be respected and nurtured.

The philosophies upon which ACES was founded continue to inspire our daily work:
• To acquire an intimate knowledge of the language of place - that is, to have ecological literacy so the surrounding landscape is perceived as a living, breathing, familiar presence. Knowledge is our goal, in part.
• To care by making emotional connections through a wealth of experience in nature and by rationally grasping the importance of diversity and stability of ecosystems to environmental and human health. Caring is an essential element of ACES work.
• To develop and share the skills needed to be actively involved in the careful stewardship of our local environment, accomplishing this through hands on work to protect and restore the balance of ecosystems with which ACES is entrusted. Through knowledge and caring comes meaningful action.
ACES believes these three philosophies inspire a life-long commitment to sustaining a healthy environment.

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