This Conservation Crew in partnership with the Student Conservation Association and the Morton Arboretum will help to significantly scale up and expand efforts to improve the Chicago region urban forest to create a healthier tree canopy that is more abundant, more diverse, and more equitably distributed to provide needed benefits to all people and communities.
SCA will work with community residents and leaders to build relationships and assist with community tree planting and tree maintenance (watering) and help train community members in urban forestry stewardship. The Conservation Crew will have access to the Arboretum’s tree care networking and training workshops for professional development and career exposure.
Crew Members can expect to collaborate with a team to perform tree planting and watering as green stormwater infrastructure and habitat enhancement in their communities. Crew Members work outdoors seven hours a day, Monday through Friday, for 26 weeks at $15.50/hr. They are expected to attend SCA provided trainings to ensure safe and effective tree canopy conservation as well as training in basic digital mapping and data collection techniques. They are also expected to interact and engage with local community members in tree care at designated volunteer events. Crew Members meet at a centralized pick-up and drop-off location and are transported to their work site each day by the Crew Leader.
o Initial trainings will be held for all types of work. A work and watering schedule will be created and monitored by the crew leader and CRTI staff so everyone is on the same page.
o Watering plants (follow CRTI watering guidance linked below): must use a flow meter and check soil moisture (crew will be trained) to determine watering needs. Using rainfall totals for a given area is not sufficient to know how much water each plant needs. Taking the time to monitor and water sufficiently is the most critical factor for newly established plants.
o CRTI Watering Guidance Resource Sheet (link)
o Clear site maps with plants geocoded will be provided to ensure each plant location is identified and cared for.
o Professional development: time will be allotted for SCA to attend workshops, webinars, and other training events to build their own networks and learn more about the many career options in urban forestry.
SCA1957
Position ID: PO-00733971
Expected Dates: May 1, 2023 - October 29, 2023
Location:
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532
US
Main Area of Focus: Natural Resources Mgmt
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Not Eligible