The International Crane Foundation is recognized as the world center for the preservation of cranes and their wetland and grassland homes. Volunteers gain rewarding experiences, unparalleled opportunities for actively working with endangered species, and the satisfaction of helping one of the world's most threatened families of birds. Some work is not appropriate for children, but some tasks may be available for family groups or parent/child combinations.
You can help protect these magnificent birds by volunteering in one of the following program areas. For more information on these opportuntities please contact Kate Fitzwilliams, ICF Volunteer Coordinator/Naturalist, (608) 356-9462 x147.
Naturalists
For more than 30 years, Volunteer Naturalists have helped share the story of cranes and conservation with ICF’s over 25,000 annual visitors by leading guided programs of our live crane displays, exhibits and restored ecosystems. Although diverse in their backgrounds, ICF volunteers all have a common appreciation for bio-diversity and conservation and a desire to share their knowledge and the inspirational stories of crane and ecosystem conservation. The Naturalist Program increases support for ICF’s global conservation efforts and creates a more environmentally responsible public through raised awareness of the importance of protecting the world’s wetland and grassland ecosystems for the benefit of people, cranes and countless other species.
Who Should Apply
The individuals who will be most successful as Volunteer Naturalists are those who:
Training Requirements
Volunteer naturalists complete a formal 2-day Naturalist training offered at ICF in March each spring or equivalent sessions as scheduled by ICF staff. During this orientation, you will meet other naturalists, share expertise, and learn program specifics. Scheduled sessions include interpretative skills, crane ecology, behavior and identification, ICF's mission, conservation work and policies. Naturalists complete a mentoring period through which the volunteers will observe and learn from staff and veteran volunteers.
What Volunteer Naturalists Do
Lead two-hour Cranes of the World guided tours of our site that explore ICF's complete collection of the 15 species of cranes and ICF's global conservation efforts.
Time Commitment
Volunteer Naturalists lead tours from April 15th until October 31st. Volunteer Naturalists lead a minimum of 2-4 tours each month or equivalent time helping with special events or other activities. Tours are typically 11/2 to 2 hours in length.
Physical requirements
Willingness and ability to lead groups through ICF’s exhibits area and nature trails in varied weather conditions are required. Tours typically cover a walking distance of a half mile.
The Benefits of Volunteering
ICF family of volunteers are also invited to participate in special field trips, learning opportunities, behind-the-scenes events and social gatherings.
- Volunteers receive a free, one year ICF membership, which includes four issues of ICF's quarterly newsletter, The ICF Bugle, and a staff discount on all gift shop purchases.
- Volunteers learn new skills in environmental education and interpretation.
- Volunteers work with leading conservation professionals and international scientists.
- Volunteers gain the satisfaction of participating in ICF's conservation efforts by engaging thousands of visitors from around the world each year.
Docents
Friendly, energetic volunteers are needed to welcome visitors to ICF’s headquarters. Educational docents answer questions about cranes and ICF’s work around the world, accept money for admissions, membership and other sales, and explain ICF’s history, mission, and membership details. Communication skills, eagerness to learn, dependability, and a desire to heighten our visitors' experiences are the only requirements.
Training Requirements
Formal training is required. Docents are encourage to attend Volunteer Naturalist training, a formal 2-day Naturalist training offered at ICF in March/April each spring. Please call for more information.
Time Commitment
Volunteer Docent’s shifts are available daily from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 to 4 p.m. from April 15th to October 31st. Volunteer Docent’s work two or more shifts a month
Seed Collecting
Each year, we plant hundreds of pounds of native Wisconsin wildflower and grass seed in our restoration areas. Help us fill our quotas by joining the ICF Field Ecology Department on their seed collecting excursions. Destinations include some of the area's most beautiful natural areas, including the ICF prairie! Individuals or groups are welcome to participate. July - October.
Prairie Restoration
Protect ICF's natural communities! Keep those nasty exotics in check by cutting or pulling invasive vegetation or conducting prescribed burns at the ICF site. March - November.
Site Management
Help maintain ICF's pleasant atmosphere by planting and tending flowers, picking up litter, and helping staff with a wide variety of maintenance and repair tasks. Appropriate for groups or individuals.
Crane Care
Join our aviculture staff on their daily routine of tending to our captive crane flock. Excellent chance to work closely with adult cranes. Only individuals capable of strenuous work and able to make a regular commitment will be considered.
Crane Count
The Annual Midwest Crane Count is a tradition dating back to 1976. It is one of the largest citizen-based inventories in the world. One of the primary purposes of the Crane Count is to allow ICF to monitor the abundance and distribution of cranes in the Upper-Midwest. In the 1930's, an estimated 25 pairs of Sandhill Cranes in Wisconsin. The year 2000 Count tallied more than 13,000 Sandhill Cranes.
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Something Else?
Have a special talent you'd like to share with us? Something that doesn't fit in a category above? Come talk to us!
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