American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking two members to contribute to historic preservation and preservation horticulture projects alongside Golden Gate National Recreation Area Staff.
The Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps is intended for enthusiastic individuals who possess an interest in gaining experience in the field of landscape preservation or horticulture.
For more information about the National Park Service's Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) - Landscape Stewardship Corps, please visit our website.
For more information about ACE, please visit our website.
Start Date: May or June (flexible to accommodate school schedule)
Estimated End Date: 12 weeks after start date.
*a 12-week minimum commitment is required *
Location Details/Description: Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in San Francisco, California is one of the largest urban parks in the world, featuring multiple sites that span over 60 miles along the San Francisco coast from north to south. GGRNA was established in 1972 to offer a national park experience to a diverse urban population while preserving and interpreting the park's outstanding natural, historic, scenic, and recreational views. Over half of North American avian species and nearly one third of California's plant species can be found here. GGNRA also features significant historical and natural resources along with the largest museum collection in the National Park Service.
The Golden Gate bridge connects the northern and southern parts of the park. GGNRA is easily accessible by car, bus, train, bike, on-foot and is located approximately 18 miles from the San Francisco International Airport. The park is near the city's downtown area, boasting local restaurants, shops, museums, and culturally rich neighborhoods like Japantown and Chinatown.
For more information about Golden Gate National Recreation Area, please visit the NPS website.
Position Overview: Under guidance for Golden Gate National Recreation Area staff, the ACE member will experience the full range of behind-the-scenes preservation and maintenance activities required in managing a nationally significant historic landscape. The position may also require the member to work independently on some projects and assignments.
Project work will include:
- Garden Maintenance
- Assist in the care for all garden areas utilizing the best practices of horticulture; this includes weeding, efficient irrigation, fertilizing, planting, composting, pruning.
- Learn aspects of propagation and greenhouse management.
- Assist with maintaining a clean and orderly storage area. Report any necessary replacements and repairs.
- Volunteer Management and Outreach
- Introduction to volunteer management skills with emphasis on training, supervision, and leading volunteer groups in planned activities and safe garden practices.
- Develop communication skills to connect with visitors about park issues.
- Maintain database of volunteer hours.
- Be able to engage with diverse audiences.
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00AM-3:30PM. The ACE member will have the option to have a compressed schedule with four, 9-hour workdays during the week instead.