National Wildlife Refuge Member

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 5 members to contribute to invasive species management, biological surveys, and facilities maintenance projects under the mentorship of Northwest North Dakota National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Applications Due:
February 27, 2026

Start Date:

May 2026

Estimated End Date:
September 2026

* a 16-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 640 hours*

Northwest North Dakota National Wildlife Refuge Complex consisting of J Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, Upham, ND;
Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, Kenmare, ND; or Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, Carpio, ND.

J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935. The Refuge lies in the lake bed of glacial Lake Souris, once home to the Arikara, Assiniboine, Cheyenne, Hidatsa, Lakota, and Mandan Tribes of American Indians. Retreating glaciers created the rolling hills and temporary wetlands of today's landscape. Most of the Refuge is composed of river valley wetland habitat bordered by a narrow strip of upland vegetation.

The southern portion of the Refuge includes wooded river bottom lands, floodplain meadows, and native prairie sandhills. The sandhills are remnants of wind-and-wave borne deposits on the ancient lakeshore. The land cover types found here - mixed grass prairie, river valley, marshes, sandhills, and woodlands - come together to support an abundant variety of wildlife. The primary purpose of the Refuge is to provide habitat for waterfowl, migratory birds, and other wildlife.

Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge is located in the physio graphic region of North Dakota named the Missouri Coteau. Coteau is French for "little hill." This distinctive landscape of rolling hills and wetlands was shaped by glaciers. The glaciers melted away 10,000 years ago, leaving behind a moraine or ridge of rocks and soil varying in width from 10 to 60 miles. This glaciated region extends from southeast Alberta to northwest Iowa and is also known as the Prairie Pothole Region.

Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge is designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Birding Conservancy and National Audubon Society. The Refuge provides essential habitat for rare grassland bird species such as Sprague's pipit and Baird's sparrow. Some of the larger, showy members of the mixed grass prairie include marbled godwit, upland sandpiper, and willett.

Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge is located in north central North Dakota, along the western loop of the Souris River that flows south from Saskatchewan, Canada, and back north into Manitoba. The refuge encompasses over 32,000 acres of native prairie, marshes, and woodlands. Near refuge headquarters is Lake Darling Dam. This earthen structure creates a 9,600 acre reservoir that supports one of the finest fisheries in the area.

Northern pike, walleye and yellow perch are the most sought after by anglers. The refuge also supports a wide variety of wildlife, including moose, white-tailed deer, river otter, coyote, mink, leopard frog, and plains garter snake. Avid waterfowlers and birders alike will be amazed at the more than 300 species of birds the area supports. Native prairie songbirds thrive in the refuge's mixed grass prairie.

The Wetland Management District covers main stem Ward County and currently has 26 Waterfowl Production Areas under management.

For more information about the Northwest North Dakota National Wildlife Refuge Complex, please visit the FWS website.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize that mission at the Northwest North Dakota National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks:

• Mechanical and chemical invasive plant management…