Building Capacity

For the last four year, Friends of the MK Nature Center have sponsored an AmeriCorp member position. This support provides increased capacity for MK Nature Center staff through a dedicated volunteer member. Members serve in a variety of ways such as education programming, community outreach and on-site support.

Austin Reich will be joining the MK Nature Center team from October 1, 2019- August 30th, 2020. As a recent graduate from Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), Austin wants to share his passion for nature and education with the community as he prepares for graduate school next fall. Austin comes to the Nature Center with experience both with teaching and managing volunteers. At NNU, Austin was a Research Assistant, Head Animal Caretaker, and an Animal Outreach Educator. He also was a Zoo Teen at the Zoo Boise and later became the Zoo Boise’s Teen Volunteer Coordinator.

AmeriCorps members donate 1700 hours per year to meet the minimum qualifications to finish the program. They receive a small monthly stipend and a $4,500 education award at the end of their service. Being an AmeriCorps member is a big commitment, one that requires sacrifice and dedication.