Naturalist Fellowship

Learn, live, and launch your career at Dodge

The 12-month Naturalist Fellowship at Dodge Nature Center prepares college graduates for a wide array of education careers at nature centers, environmental learning centers, nature-based preschools, parks, zoos, camps, environmental nonprofits, and natural resource agencies.

Teach in the outdoor classroom

As a Fellow, you’ll provide engaging programs for field trip students, day campers, families, adults, and seniors. Weekly seminars, classroom observations, and mentorship from highly experienced naturalists will ground you in more than 40 curriculum topics.

You will learn to care for and handle Dodge’s educational animals, including snakes, turtles, frogs, and toads. Dodge is the rare nature center with working, sustainable farms. You’ll present agricultural education programs and care for heritage breeds of livestock.

In the heart of the Twin Cities

Situated in the Twin Cities metro—only 5 miles from downtown St. Paul—Dodge Nature Center offers the unique opportunity to teach in woodland, wetland, and prairie environments within easy reach of diverse communities and schools. Thriving populations of white-tailed deer, coyote, waterfowl, raptors, reptiles, and amphibians bring the wonder of wildlife encounters to your students.

Educational Benefits

Hamline University Graduate Certificate

As a Dodge Naturalist Fellow, you’ll earn a 10-credit graduate Certificate in Environmental Education from Hamline University at no cost to you. Coursework may be applied to future study toward a Master of Arts in Education: Natural Science and Environmental Education or Master of Arts in Education at Hamline.

National Association for Interpretation

You’ll complete a 32-hour course to become Certified Interpretive Guides (CIG™) by the National Association for Interpretation—at no cost to you. The certification prepares you for careers at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos and many other sites. The coursework helps polish your presentation skills, create program outlines and themes, and analyze audience needs.

Minnesota Naturalists' Association (MNA)

Dodge offers you a one-year memberships in the Minnesota Naturalists’ Association (MNA), the state professional organization. Benefits include attendance at the annual conference, professional development workshops and networking opportunities.