AMERICAN BEAR
ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 77, ORR, Minnesota 55771 USA
Tel.: ++1 (218) 757-0172
e-mail:
bears@rangenet.com
www.americanbear.org/volunteers.htm
DESCRIPTION:
The American Bear Association
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of
the black bear through a better understanding. Formed in 1995, it runs and
operates the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary near Orr, Minnesota. Over 21,000
people came to view wild black bears in their natural habitat from our
elevated viewing deck, and to learn about bear
behavior,
their life cycles and habitat needs. The ABA seeks to dispel the myths
surrounding black bears by educating people on the need for peaceful
co-existence with wildlife and knowledge of bear safety issues. We also have
a variety of other wildlife visiting the Sanctuary throughout the year. The
Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary is open to visitors from Memorial Day (end of
May) to Labor Day (September) and accepts volunteers throughout the summer
season.
SPECIES:
In
addition to being a seasonal home to a special group of bears, this habitat is
also used by such wildlife as whitetail deer, bald eagles, beavers, minks,
pine martens, fishers, timber wolves, red squirrels, bobcats, lynx, blue jays,
owls, ducks, songbirds, ravens, and a variety of other species. While black
bears are the primary focus, the various habitats of the Sanctuary are managed
in a manner beneficial to the entire ecosystem.
HABITAT:
Nestled in the North Woods of Minnesota, and encompassing some
360 acres, the Sanctuary consists of a combination of habitats: aspen forests,
cedar swamps, marshes, beaver ponds, a primary stream, open areas and numerous
other resources.
GEOGRAPHIC
LOCATION:
North-eastern Minnesota, 60 miles south of the Canadian border, 2.5 hours
north of Duluth, MN.
TRAVEL
INFORMATION:
Plane to Duluth airport.
DURATION: Volunteers: any nationality welcome, must commit to a
minimum of 1 week, and a maximum of 4 months. Internship applicants must be
US citizens or hold a valid US work permit, and must commit to a minimum of 8
weeks and a maximum of 14 weeks.
PERIOD:
From mid-May to the end of September.
AGE:
Minimum 18.
SKILLS AND
QUALIFICATIONS:
All skills
welcome, especially engineering, cooking, building, administration, wildlife
expertise. All volunteers must sign a Liability Waiver, read and comply with
the Volunteer Handbook, have an excellent work ethic and be passionate about
wildlife and conservation. They may also need to fill in a questionnaire. A
reasonable level of fitness is also required.
VOLUNTEERS’
WORK: Picking up and/or unloading supplies, including 50-pound
bags of seed and 35-pound bags of fruit and nuts (heavy lifting is often a
part of the job); daily cleanup of feeding areas and bear poop scooping;
cooking meals for staff and volunteers, and kitchen cleanup; maintenance
projects and carpentry; planting, mulching, weed-eating, and other landscape
improvement projects; preparing bear food mixtures; splitting firewood, road
maintenance, and other miscellaneous tasks. Jobs during evening/visitors’
hours include: parking cars, greeting visitors on their arrival, talking with
the public and educating about bears and their behavior; sale of souvenir
merchandise; answering visitors’ questions.
LANGUAGE:
English.
ACCOMMODATION:
Campgrounds available close to the Sanctuary, but the ABA
tried to accommodate volunteers on site whenever possible. Priority is given
to interns and long-term volunteers.
COST:
There
is no fee to volunteer at the VSWS. However, volunteers and interns must pay
for their travel to and from Orr.
LONG-TERM:
Long-term volunteers are welcome.
APPLICATION:
Please email
bears@rangenet.com or call 1-218-757-0172 for more details and to request
the volunteer questionnaire. Mention Green Volunteers. For more information,
visit the website:
www.americanbear.org
