Conservation Academy
Paid conservation job training
Conservation Academy Crews training with Dane County Parks staff on a prescribed burn at Donald Park. Photo Credit: Elizabeth McBride
About Conservation Academy
The Operation Fresh Start Conservation Academy is a full-time, hands-on, paid training program for ages 18–24. You’ll earn a starting wage of $15/hour while training for a career in conservation, land management, parks, forestry, or landscaping. You’ll have the opportunity to train alongside industry professionals, working in parks, natural areas, and neighborhoods throughout south-central Wisconsin.
You’ll build your professional network and earn credentials that employers are looking for. Successful program completion includes placement into a career in the green industry trades.
Eligibility
Ages 18–24
High school diploma or GED/HSED required
Must have the ability to work on your feet, bend, and lift weight of 50 pounds
Must have the ability to achieve and maintain consistent attendance and punctuality
No prior conservation experience required
Program Outcomes
What are you looking to achieve? Conservation Academy can help you reach all of these goals and more!
Hands-on Training
Hands-on conservation / land management training alongside industry professionals
Earn While You Learn
$15/hour starting training wage
Build Your Resume
Earn credentials to build a competitive resume, including a driver’s license (if needed)
Set and Achieve Your Goals
Work with OFS staff to set and review personal and professional goals
Build and Strengthen Connections
Build connections with local employers
More About Conservation Academy
Conservation Academy members work 36 hours per week, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Crew members must provide their own professional work attire. Operation Fresh Start will provide the necessary tools and equipment. A Social Security card and government photo ID are required before date of hire. OFS staff are ready to assist in acquiring these forms of documentation.
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No prior conservation experience is required. You will get paid to train on various conservation projects, with placement on a Tier 1 or Tier 2 crew based on your experience level.
Tier 1
Conservation Academy Tier 1 members earn certifications in OSHA 10, First Aid and CPR, chainsaw use and safety (SAWW Level 1), incident communication (ICS-100 and IS-700), wildland fire (S130/190 and L-180), and pesticide application (6.0 Right-of-Way). While engaged in Tier 1 programming, crew members will begin working toward their pre-apprenticeship certification in Conservation and Urban Forestry from the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards.
Crew members put their training and certificates to use on the worksite, completing significant conservation and land management projects with some of the largest conservation agencies in Wisconsin.
Crew members also gain employability skills and get support with earning a driver’s license, if needed. Upon earning the necessary credentials and achieving proficiency in certain land management skills, crew members are eligible to move up to Tier 2.
Tier 2
Conservation Academy Tier 2 members build job search skills, work on a career transition plan, and job shadow with local employers.
You’ll also learn how to meet efficiency standards on a conservation work site. Successful completion of Conservation Academy includes placement into a full-time land management career.
Our Process at Conservation Academy
Legacy Graduates
High School Graduates
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Including referrals from BIG STEP, Urban League, and Latino Academy
Recruitment
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OSHA 10 / Fall Protection
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First Aid / CPR
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Other Safety: Chainsaw Usage, Herbicide & Pesticide Usage, PPE
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Tool Training
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Driver's License (as needed)
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Tool Maintenance
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Conservation Certification
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Employer Visits
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Employability Skills
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Pre-Apprenticeship Certification
Tier 1
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Job Search Skills
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Conservation Culture
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Tool Maintenance
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Expertise & Efficiency of Production on Job Site
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Career Transition Planning
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Job Shadowing
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Pre-Apprenticeship Certification
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Conservation Certifications
Tier 2
Placement and Retention into a Full-time conservation career.
Recruitment
Conservation Academy Testimonials
“It was a pleasure working with the Conservation Academy crew this past month. For us, there are just not enough ecologists in the world who are hard-working, good teachers, good communicators, positive and hard-working. Caroline (Conservation Academy Supervisor) is all of those things. I saw her correct and challenge crew members in a way that I am sure helped them better absorb the lesson. Caroline and the crew were polite with residents when they worked with a large group of volunteers. This was a complex project that involved large, tangled brush requiring technical saw skills, but also delicate communication skills when working in a dense urban area with homeowners all around. I had nothing but good reports from the volunteers who worked with them”
Maddie Dumas
Greenway Vegetation Coordinator, City of Madison Engineering
Partners & Grant Support
Operation Fresh Start would like to thank our Conservation Academy partners! Conservation Academy is primarily funded by a three-year, $3.3 million Workforce Innovation Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Workforce Development.
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The Conservation Academy is made possible through funding partnerships and work experiences with the following organizations:
