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Naturalist-in-Residence

Call for Submissions for the 2024 Naturalist-in-Residence program

Madison Public Library and Madison Parks are looking for a local naturalist to lead a series of workshops, guided walks, and programs in libraries and city green spaces for six weeks during summer 2024. 

Educators, birding enthusiasts, scientists, artists, writers, Waterkeepers, and more are invited to apply to a Naturalist residency with the Madison Public Library. The Naturalist-in-Residence will facilitate outdoor programming in Madison’s diverse natural areas–including outdoor library spaces–for community members of all ages. 

The project will offer interactive opportunities for the public to explore, learn, and reflect upon the natural world. As there are endless ways to engage with nature, naturalist programs can take many forms and address a variety of themes, including, but not limited to: environmental justice, indigenous knowledge and cultural practices, reimagining outdoor spaces to be more inclusive and accessible, water conservation, and urban naturalism. If selected, library staff can help develop ideas further.

The Naturalist-in-Residence will facilitate or organize a minimum of 10 programs during the residency, and collaborate with library staff to develop accompanying elements like book lists and library displays.

Residency Details: 

  • Naturalist Stipend:  $2,300
  • Residency Dates: Must be available for a 6-week residency July 15-August 23, 2024. Applicants are expected to be available to collaborate on program development during the months of May and June.
  • Application Period: March 15 - April 15, 2024. View the application form.

The Naturalist-in-Residence program is made possible thanks to the Friends of the Madison Public Library.

Why A Naturalist?

The goal of the  Naturalist-in-Residency project is to encourage our community to explore, learn, and reflect upon our natural world and their place in it, through the guiding vision of an experienced or emerging local naturalist.

Questions? Contact community@madisonpubliclibrary.org (link sends email).

Look Back at Last Year's Naturalist Program

Aline Puente Fears Buried at Sunset on Display at Central Library Naturalist in Residence 2023Madison Public Library’s popular Naturalist-in-Residence program returned for its second year in September 2023! In partnership with Madison Parks, nature-based programs for all ages took place in libraries, parks and natural areas across the city of Madison from September 1-30, 2023

Although the Naturalist-in-Residence program wrapped up at the end of September, really amazing things sometimes live on! We wanted to thank Qwantese for her fantastic leadership during this residency, and for sharing her skills, talents, charm, wit, grace and deep knowledge with us.

Over the course of more than a dozen events, nearly 200 people got to meet and learn from Qwantese. Two of these events were Nature Writing and Meditative Walks to Edna Taylor Conservation Park and Heritage Prairie, where Qwantese encouraged participants to study and write about nature. The results? A stunning painting created by Alina Puente called Fears Buried at Sunset, and a collection of short poems that Qwantese combined to create two collaborative poems - one for each walk location. You can view the painting in person on the 2nd floor stairwell at Central Library alongside all of the poems on nature written during these walks.

You can learn even more about last year's residency on the 2023 Residency: Rooted in Nature page.

Past Years

Qwantese Dourese Winters

2023 Residency Theme: Rooted in Nature

John Newman

2022 Residency Theme: Nature is for Everyone

Sponsor(s)

This program was made possible in part by generous support from: