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Elk Root Conservation Farm Society in Vallican, BC is seeking a Native Plant Educational Demonstration Gardens Manager!
ABOUT Elk Root Conservation Farm Society
Elk Root Conservation Farm Society (ERC) is a grassroots not-for-profit educational demonstration farm located in Vallican, BC, that will obtain Organic Certification status in August 2023.
Through research, innovation, hands-on demonstration, and education at Elk Root Conservation’s Educational Demonstration Farm, we strive to alleviate food insecurity, and to protect, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and pollinator habitat demonstrated by example through boots-on-the-ground habitat conservation projects.
Our empowering educational workshops focus on ecological stewardship, wildlife conservation & habitat restoration, honey bee wellness & wild pollinator gardens, sustainability, regenerative organic gardening, biodiverse farming practices and local food security. For five years, ERC has provided inclusive learning for preschool children all the way to seniors.
Our vision is a thriving fish, wildlife and human population in the Slocan Valley and Little Slocan River watershed that is functioning and sustainable. We aspire to demonstrate how we can all conserve, protect and restore the productivity and biodiversity of our local landscape with a specific focus on the Little Slocan watershed and its wildlife inhabitants, including identified species-at-risk.
After a 3 year process, it is anticipated that ERC will obtain its Organic Certification in August 2023 (Farm & Apiary). This will distinguish ERC as one of the only local apiaries with organic status.
While certified organic is a high standard, we always strive to go a step further when it comes to protecting our planet; accordingly, at ERC, we carry out ‘beyond’ organic farming practices as well. We do not use any chemical sprays approved for certified organic farming as such sprays may still seep down into groundwater and can also kill beneficial insects and pollinators. We are conscious of reducing our plastic footprint and do not use heavy black plastic ground covers for weed control acceptable for use on certified organic farms. Essentially, we do our best wherever possible to work with nature to find solutions to food production challenges that benefit the environment and our community.
At Elk Root Conservation, we also embody the equity lens of ‘nothing about us, without us’. Our not-for-profit has developed into an empowering, impactful organization, through respectfully listening to and learning from our diverse team and the community we serve. Our dedicated leadership team includes individuals that identify as people with diverse abilities, neurodivergent, Indigenous Peoples, women in STEM, 2SLGBTQIA+, youth, and senior community members. This diverse life experience strengthens our organization’s ability to successfully serve the needs and aspirations of our community, specifically that of marginalized groups.
DESIRED QUALITIES
Are you passionate about environmental stewardship and habitat conservation? Maybe you want to learn more about ‘beyond’ organic agricultural practices from the heart of Vallican, BC? Elk Root Conservation is the perfect place for you to work! We welcome ALL interested youth ages 16-30 to apply. We encourage youth who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+ members and women in STEM to apply.
We are looking for an individual who is driven and passionate about climate action and protecting native life on land. The ERC Native Plant Educational Demonstration Gardens Manager will be an individual who is a leader, an eager learner, and someone who has high initiative while being highly organized and adaptable. They will need experience growing and/or working outdoors.
Our ERC team mentors will foster and grow the remaining skills and knowledge that the Native Plant Educational Demonstration Gardens Manager will require to fulfill their position at Elk Root Conservation.
JOB TASKS
Specific Tasks & Responsibilities Include:
- Work outside in our Native Plant Educational Demonstration Gardens (NPEDG).
- Implement the walking path, signage, and accompanying educational programming to make the NPEDG a welcoming, impactful place for all community members to learn and grow.
- Project manage garden design, and develop inclusive Native Plant curriculum for all ages
- Coordinate and project plan our Native Plant Gardens fall plant fundraiser sale, future seed and nursery stock for conservation projects and community plant sales.
As the Elk Root Conservation (ERC) Native Plant Educational Demonstration Gardens Manager, you will receive mentorship to become a skilled leader and manager of ERC’s ‘beyond’ organic regenerative Native Plant Educational Demonstration Gardens (NPEDG). This role encompasses managing the native plant nursery and seed library, as well as implementing ERC’s Native Plant Educational Programs to promote ecological stewardship.
By way of background, the ERC Native Plant Educational Demonstration Garden is 1.5 acres of land, carefully restored with ‘local ecotype’ native plants. It includes a seed library and plant nursery, which serve both land restoration efforts and provide plant material to the community. Elk Root Conservation is currently developing the NPEDG into a beautiful outdoor classroom with signage, educational curriculum, and a Native Plant Field Guide to accompany the ‘local ecotype’ gardens. This is why we need you, our Native Plant Educational Demonstration Gardens Manager, to oversee and implement these exciting next steps for the NPEDG!
As the NPEDG manager, you will have a lasting impact on your community by fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration among local Indigenous Peoples and residents of all ages. Participants of the NPEDG curriculum will learn about the importance of native plants and the proper protocols for interacting with them in the wild. Furthermore, native plants will be protected as people can access seeds from the ERC plant nursery and gardens instead of collecting them from wild habitats. You will also supervise and guide youth interns working in the gardens to maintain and enhance this beautiful community space at ERC.
At Elk Root Conservation, we offer extensive mentoring and encourage an open mindset to learning. Through this position, you will gain valuable communication, project management, and organizational skills through hands-on experience at ERC. You will also develop into an ecological stewardship leader by learning about the implementation of the many incredible environmental and agri-innovation projects taking place at the ERC Educational Demonstration Farm.
JOB DETAILS
Term: This internship is 30 hrs/wk for 18 weeks commencing September 5th, 2023. However, at ERC we value accommodation and are open to flexible scheduling surrounding our employee’s needs. While this is a short term internship position, there is potential for this position to become a permanent part-time or full time position with Elk Root Conservation in the future.
Hours per week: You are expected to work 30 hours per week.
Wage: The pay for this position is $18/hr. You will be responsible for finding local accommodation for the duration of the position.
TO APPLY
Please send your cover letter and resume to elkrootconservation@gmail.com if you would like us to consider your application.
Deadline to apply: July 25
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT Elk Root Conservation Farm Society
Website: https://www.elkrootconservation.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elkrootconservation/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elkrootconservation/
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