Become a Wildlife Detective: BioWatch Project Leader
A Select Youth Conservation Leadership Opportunity
Have you ever wondered what animals move through the woods after dark?
Coyotes. Foxes. Owls. Deer. Raccoons. The wildlife around us is active even when most people never see it.
The Green Crew is seeking 2-3 highly motivated youth leaders to help lead our BioWatch Wildlife Monitoring Program, a year-long conservation leadership opportunity focused on wildlife discovery, citizen science, and team leadership.
This is not a typical volunteer position.
As a BioWatch Project Leader, you'll help build and lead a team of volunteers who use trail cameras and wildlife monitoring tools to document local wildlife, understand habitat use, and engage the community in conservation science.
You'll spend time both in the field and behind the scenes—deploying cameras, reviewing wildlife photos, organizing volunteers, and helping shape the future of a growing conservation program.
Your Mission
As a BioWatch Project Leader, you will:
- Deploy and maintain wildlife trail cameras
- Discover and identify wildlife captured on camera
- Lead volunteer teams during monitoring activities
- Recruit and engage new participants
- Organize project activities and schedules
- Help analyze wildlife observations and trends
- Share findings with the Green Crew and community
- Help grow and improve the BioWatch program
Why You'll Love It
- See wildlife that most people never get the chance to observe
- Gain hands-on experience with wildlife monitoring and conservation science
- Develop leadership skills by organizing projects and leading volunteers
- Work alongside experienced mentors and a supportive youth leadership team
- Build experience that stands out on college applications, scholarship applications, and resumes
- Make a measurable contribution to local conservation efforts
You'll Be a Great Fit If...
- You love wildlife and the outdoors
- You're curious about ecology, biology, or conservation
- You enjoy taking initiative and making things happen
- You're excited by the idea of leading a team
- You want more responsibility than a typical volunteer role offers
- You want to leave a lasting impact on a conservation program
Commitment
This leadership position is designed as a 12-month commitment.
Project Leaders are expected to participate approximately two Sundays per month, including field activities, leadership meetings, and project planning.
Support & Mentorship
BioWatch Project Leaders receive ongoing support from experienced conservation mentors and the Green Crew youth leadership team. Youth leaders are trusted with real responsibility while receiving coaching, guidance, and opportunities to grow throughout the year.
About the Green Crew
The Green Crew is an award-winning, youth-led conservation and environmental leadership program based in Bloomington, Minnesota. Youth leaders plan and lead real conservation projects that restore habitats, improve water quality, engage communities, and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
What Success Looks Like
By the end of your term, you'll be able to say:
"I helped build and lead a wildlife monitoring team, engaged volunteers in conservation science, and contributed to a growing youth-led wildlife monitoring program."
Only 2-3 Project Leaders will be selected.
