Opportunities From: The University of Southern Mississippi

The Burrow Nature Center is a growing grassroots nonprofit restoring 111 acres of pine savanna, running an outdoor Forest School, and teaching land management skills. We are looking for an organized, detail-oriented Grants & Fundraising Assistant to help us secure new funding streams and build our community support infrastructure.

This is an ideal role for a self-motivated student or community member interested in nonprofit management and development who wants hands-on experience building a fundraising pipeline from the ground up.

What you will do:
 - Grant Research & Drafting: Search for regional, corporate, and family foundation grants that align with our mission. Use our past grant templates to help draft new applications.

 - Donor Database Creation: Help organize and consolidate our historical donor, parent, and volunteer contacts into a clean, actionable tracking spreadsheet (Google Sheets).

 - Business Outreach: Research local businesses, customize corporate sponsorship letters, and follow up regarding tax-deductible donation opportunities for in-kind contributions, supplies, and funds.

 - Digital Campaigns & Scheduling: Assist in designing low-maintenance online matching-gift campaigns, and identify local civic or environmental clubs to schedule brief educational speaking slots for our Executive Director.

Requirements:
Strong written communication, organizational, and basic spreadsheet skills. The ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and adapt existing written material for new grant applications is highly valued. This role offers flexible, hybrid/remote hours.

The Forest School at the Burrow Nature Center nurtures children's connection with nature through hands-on exploration, play-based learning, and outdoor skill development. Our program empowers children to become curious learners, problem-solvers, and stewards of the natural world.

We are looking for enthusiastic Forest School Assistants to support our outdoor classrooms. We currently serve ages 1–3 (caregiver-child classes) and ages 4–7, with plans to expand to ages 8–12 as our community grows.

What you will do:
 - Assist lead teachers in maintaining a safe, engaging outdoor environment.

 - Help children explore nature trails, participate in play-based learning, and develop outdoor skills.

 - Provide an extra set of eyes and hands during activities.

Requirements: No advanced experience is required for assistant roles—we provide basic training! You just need a love for the outdoors, patience, and a passion for working with children.

(Note: Leadership/Lead Teacher positions require prior experience and may transition into paid roles).

Do you have a knack for storytelling, photography, or digital marketing? The Burrow Nature Center has incredible stories to tell—from baby gopher tortoises and prescribed burns to off-grid solar builds—and we need help sharing them with the world!

We are looking for a creative volunteer to help us amplify our mission, boost our visibility, and manage our digital presence.

What you will do:
 - Visit the land to capture photos and videos of our Forest School, volunteer days, and conservation projects.
 - Help draft engaging posts for Instagram and Facebook.
 - Assist in organizing content for our MailerLite monthly newsletters.
 - Help create digital flyers for upcoming workshops, volunteer call-outs, and events.

Requirements:
Experience with social media platforms and basic photo/video editing is required. Experience with design tools like Canva is a plus. This role offers highly flexible hours and can be done largely remotely, making it perfect for marketing or communications students looking to build a professional portfolio.

Help us restore and protect a rare ecosystem in the Gulf South!

The Burrow Nature Center manages 111 acres of longleaf pine savanna and sandhill habitat—a critical refuge for threatened species like the gopher tortoise and black pinesnake.

We are looking for 3 paid fellows (for underserved youth) and multiple volunteers who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty and want to learn practical, sustainable land management skills.

What you will do:

 - Assist with habitat restoration projects, including tree thinning using hand tools, chainsaws, and brushcutters.

 - Prepare fire lanes and participate in prescribed burns.

 - Support our regenerative agro-forestry efforts, including setting up rotational fencing for our conservation goat herd and learning to mill logs into boards. Mushroom log cultivation and raised bed construction also included.

- Build a off-grid greenhouse (with solar power and water catchment) for our native plant nursery operation.

 - We will also have a session on small business logistics/entrepreneurship for applying skills.

Requirements:
Must be comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions and performing physically demanding tasks. Basic hand tool experience preferred.

Apply now! Sessions begin July 26 and run to the new year.