Land Steward AmeriCorps

The Squam Lakes Conservation Society seeks two Lakes Region Conservation Corps members who enjoy being in the outdoors and within natural systems, who want to encourage community engagement, and who enjoy land management activities on land permanently conserved for future generations.

SLCS is a small land trust conserving the Squam Watershed lands permanently since 1960. 

Location

Squam Lakes Conservation Society, 534A US Route 3, Holderness, NH

Your Commitment

May 19, 2025 through October 29, 2025. This AmeriCorps program is dependent on the completion of 900 hours over the course of the program in order to receive the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award of $3,697.50. This is an average 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, with possible weekend events.

Key responsibilities

You will encounter a wide range of activities in the Squam Watershed while interacting with this unique community. You will be expected to serve both indoors and outdoors. While much of your time will be focused on stewardship of conserved lands, you will be involved in all aspects of land trust responsibilities. The following is a partial list of skills and experiences you can expect to develop:

• Monitor conservation easements, which entail walking property lines and trails and reviewing easement documents to ensure conservation goals are met.
• Assist with volunteers to provide training and other support in various capacities.
• Perform land management activities on SLCS preserves, including general land management, boundary line maintenance, and invasive plant management and removal.
• Utilize social media skills to advance SLCS’s mission.
• Organize events and deliver programs such as leading interpretive walks, trail days, or appearing at local events.
• Help with new land acquisition projects, conduct field assessments, assist with baseline documentation reports, and identify areas of special conservation value.
• Utilize GIS mapping and Avenza to update and improve the delivery of conservation planning and stewardship.
• Conduct trail maintenance.
• Be an active member of a small but highly experienced team.
• Interact with other LRCC AmeriCorps Members for community projects.
• Collect and report data including but not limited to record keeping, field data collection and entry, and biweekly timesheets.
• Receive regular performance evaluations especially mid-term and end-of-term.

Training/support provided                     

• Wilderness First Aid Certification- CPR Certification
• Conservation Easement Monitoring Training
• NH Safe Boating certification
• NH Commercial boating license
• Loan deferment and interest forbearance for qualified student loans during service term
• SLCS provides comfortable housing for two people

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age by May 19, 2025
• Must be covered by health insurance for duration of program
• Able to operate independently and within a group
• Must be comfortable living and serving with another person

Must meet the Corporation for National Community Service’s minimum requirements:

• Must clear all required National Service Criminal History Checks as outlined in the 45 CFR §2540.200-206;
• Must be a high school graduate, GED recipient, or must be attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service;
• Must be a US citizen, US national, or legal permanent resident of the US
• Must pass all certification exams.