Purpose/Objective: Help Door County Land Trust (DCLT) increase community engagement by leading or co-leading guided experiences for groups of people out on the preserves.
Location: Designated nature preserve(s) or natural area(s).
Key Responsibilities:
- Attend hike leader trainings when they are provided, usually in the spring and fall.
- Work with DCLT staff to schedule and coordinate Explore the Door hikes and other guided experiences that you are willing and available to lead or co-lead.
- Work with DCLT staff to provide a title and description for the guided experiences that are scheduled for you to lead or co-lead.
- Prepare as necessary for the guided experiences you have agreed to lead or co-lead including referencing the hike leader training materials and hike leader binders for each preserve, creating a program outline, and practicing on the preserve.
- If co-leading a hike, coordinate will fellow hike leaders to ensure a quality experience for attendees. Make sure to meet a couple times beforehand to plan.
- Create a quality experience for program attendees by being well prepared and keeping a positive attitude.
- Act as a DCLT ambassador by sharing the organization’s mission and values with others.
Qualifications: Hike Leaders have a wide range of backgrounds. The Hike Leader should be comfortable with public speaking, navigating the preserves, and communicating with new people. Outside of this, there is no particular knowledge or skillset required besides an interest in the preserves and an understanding of and commitment to DCLT’s mission. Naturalist skills are helpful, but not required.
Time Commitment: Performing the Hike Leader duties can range from around 12 to over forty hours per year, depending on the number of guided experiences they are involved in. Hike Leader Trainings are typically held once or twice a year and are approximately four hours in length.
Training/Support provided: There is typically a one-day spring training session and a one-day fall follow-up session/get together held each year. New hike leaders will be able to shadow more experienced hike leaders as much as needed until they feel comfortable (at least two hikes with different leaders). Staff is available anytime for questions and concerns.
Benefits: The opportunity to share your love of nature, work outdoors, meet and work with new people and be active while providing a valuable service to the community
This opportunity is ongoing.
Door County Land Trust
217 N 4th Ave
Sturgeon Bay WI
Paige Witek
pwitek@doorcountylandtrust.org
(920) 746-1359 x114