Welcome to the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, the Bear Sanctuary located in the northern woods of Minnesota. Vince Shute and his family once owned a homestead on this property in which they quickly found out that bears would often frequent out of hunger and curiosity. This is what sparked the need for a peaceful coexistence in this area between man and bear, a need that many people assure gets taken care of today.
This entire sanctuary is a part of the American Bear Association and allows guest volunteers to work outdoors among the large wild black bears that call this land home, a truly rewarding volunteer experience. This unforgettable experience welcomes volunteers of any background, they will find a job that specifically fits your skills. Being a grassroots organization, Vince Shute Sanctuary relies heavily on the teamwork and dedication of frequent volunteers and is constantly looking for reliable and enthusiastic workers. This is the perfect chance to travel, meet new people, and help a local species thrive!
One big part of this experience is that it requires hard work, demanding a "large degree of physical stamina and fitness." Be sure you are able to lift 50 pound bags, be on your feet all day, and do the following activities: cleanup, scat removal, cooking meals, carpentry, maintain property, plant and mulch, mix and fix bear food, split firewood, road maintenance, sales, educating and greeting guests! You can work for any amount of time, from one weekend to an entire summer, as long as you are 18 or older. There is lodging in onsite for longer stays, otherwise you can find accommodation in Orr, 13 miles away, or in Duluth which is two hours south. You are really going to enjoy this opportunity to help bears, help the local community, and enjoy the gorgeous clover meadows, cedar swamps, and pine forest of northern Minnesota.