Get Involved
There are many ways you can become involved with Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.
Career Opportunities
Potentional Field Season Employment Opportunities:
1. Salt Marsh Technician
2. Sharptailed Sparrow Technician
3. Invasive Plant Coordinator
4. Piping Plover Technician
Future employment opportunities will depend on Refuge funding. Please contact the Refuge for additional information about each position or to check for availability.
Youth Conservation Corps
Rachel Carson currently hosts a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) camp for 8 weeks each summer. Up to 5 high school students age 15-18 to work on the refuge and with staff on a wide variety of projects throughout the refuge. In past years some of the projects have included trail repair and construction, boundary posting, assisting with endangered species management, assisting researchers in the salt marsh, building and grounds maintenance, and invasive plant control.
Contact the Refuge for more information about the YCC program.
To search for additional positions with the US Fish and Wildlife Service please visit the following website: www.USAJobs.Gov
Internship Opportunities
Summer Intern Positions at the Refuge
Work with refuge staff on resource management operations. Duties include Conducting Wildlife Surveys; Invasive Plant Propagation and Mapping, Nestbox Monitoring, Fish Sampling, and assisting visitors in our contact station.
Must be able to work individually and under varied climatic conditions.
Must possess valid drivers' license. Weekend and Holiday work mandatory.
Sampling fish to evaluate management activities on the refuge
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 5,000 acres of predominately salt marsh in southern, coastal Maine. Refuge lands are rich in diverse habitats and wildlife. Public uses include hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation.
12-week internship begins on or about third week in May through second week in August - 40 hours per week.
College credit available. Arrange details with your university/college and state your intention in application.
Salary/Housing - A stipend may be provided. Communal, government housing available or intern may provide own housing within commuting distance of Wells, Maine.
To apply, contact Internship Coordinator at: 207.646-9226.
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Volunteer Opportunities
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge needs YOU -- your talents, your enthusiasm, your point of view and some of your time!
What do Volunteers do? Various opportunities exist at the Refuge for volunteers to gain valuable and rewarding experience. Volunteers assist refuge employees by working in such fields as:
Interpretation: Through such activities as nature walks, talks, slide programs and visitor center information duty, volunteers help visitors understand and appreciate both the natural and cultural history of the Refuge as well as provide information on the recreational and educational opportunities available. Volunteers also rove Refuge trails to talk to visitors, report vandalism, note maintenance needs and pick Volunteers helping out at the refugeup litter.
Environmental Education: Establish Environmental Education contacts through teacher orientation workshops, open house events, day camp, field trips and special projects
Resource Management: Qualified individuals may assist wildlife biologists in such areas as wildlife surveys, salt marsh monitoring, and other projects.
Maintenance: Volunteers may help Refuge employees in general tasks such as landscape maintenance, sign installation, gate painting, construction and routine vehicle maintenance. Also, opportunities exist for those with skills in such disciplines as plumbing and carpentry.
Invasive Plant Control: Volunteers work with refuge staff and partners to prune, pull, dig and cut non-native plants weeds, and plants in order to and nurture new native plants as part of the Refuge's habitat restoration mission.
Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
The purpose of the Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge are:
* Support acquisition funding
* Assist in pursuit of acquisitions
* increase public awareness of needs and benefits of the refuge
* Provide refuge division monitoring
* Comment on activities which affect the refuge
* Identify other similar areas which warrant refuge type protection
* Assist with refuge projects as they arise
* Identify means and location(s) for educational/visitor center
The Friends of Rachel Carson NWR has been effective in extending the management capacity of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge by serving as the eyes and ears of the refuge. The refuge is comprised of 11 divisions located in eleven towns spanning 50 miles in southern coastal Maine. Rachel Carson NWR has more neighbors than any other refuge in the country and does not have capacity to respond to every report, infraction or request for information. The Friends directly benefit the refuge by increasing its ability to accomplish its mission and benefit the 11 communities by providing an avenue for bring important information to the attention of the refuge or other appropriate agency.
To join or just learn more: Contact President Bill Durkin at 282-8701.
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