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What is a Site Steward?
Site stewards are the eyes and ears for Minnesota's Scientific and Natural Areas. These volunteer positions work with guidance from SNA staff, assist in the goals of land protection, management, education and research on a site they choose to monitor. Some tasks that may be a part of a steward's duties include:
- Regular visits to the site
- Reporting observations from site visits
- Learning about the protection and management goals for the site
- Participating in site projects and events
Take a look at the complete list of steward responsibilities.
Is being a Site Steward right for me? Consider these factors:
Location, location, location
- How far the site is from you and from the nearest road will factor into travel time to get to it.
- Do you enjoy the challenge of navigating to a very remote spot that is not easily accessed?
- Or do you want to be able to jump right into a nearby site that is on a main road?
- The size of sites vary greatly and will impact the time needed for stewardship.
- Would you like focusing in great detail on a small, six acre site?
- Or will a site over sixteen hundred acres satisfy your desire for exploring large open spaces?
- Habitats on a site will determine what you will need to wear or equipment you may need.
- Do you have waders, binoculars, or lots of sunscreen necessary to complete your duties?
- In general, the closer the site is to larger cities, the greater the chance you will have for volunteers to assist you in site projects.
- If you're a good birder, botanist, or brush-cutter you can put those skills to use on the right site.
These factors all boil down to the time and effort you're willing to invest in being a site steward!
How can I become a Site Steward?
First, find out which sites are available on this map. And then, Apply online!
If you have questions email us, or call 651-259-5070.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).