Conservation and Land Management Mentoring Program =20
Paid botany internship positions are available for recent graduates (with a biology related major) in locations throughout the western US. Compensation is $750 per two week pay period. =20 The internships are 5 months in length with a specific start date to be negotiated for sometime in late June.=20 =20 Opportunities exist to continue work overseas (Australia and/or UK) in seed biology or other botany related fields. In addition, a Masters program in Plant Biology and Conservation with Northwestern University is also available for suitably qualified post internship candidates. =20 Richfield BLM Field Office, Utah =20 Substantial time will be spent establishing and reading monitoring plots for rare plant species in the Utah Basin. Some inventorying actions will also occur. This is a particularly important assignment in that several rare plant species in this area are in peril due to extensive oil and gas energy exploration and development. The interns will also be involved in the collection of native plant seeds. =20 =20 Carson City BLM Field Office, Nevada=20 =20 As part of the Seeds of Success Program, interns will be working within the Carson City Field Office area. This area encompasses 5.5 million acres with a varied landscape made up of: coniferous forests of the Eastern Sierra Nevada; pinion-juniper woodlands/sagebrush dominated areas; and salt desert shrub dominated areas. Local ecosystems include: sand dunes, alkali playas, meadows, and areas recovering from wildfire. The intern will be required to identify native species using dichotomous keys, find desired plant populations in remote locations using map and GPS technology, track phenology, and follow seed collection and storage protocols. =20 Rawlins BLM Field Office, Wyoming Rock Springs BLM Field Office, Wyoming =20 The major duties of these positions will involve the collection of seeds for the Seeds of Success program. The ability to identify native plants/weeds in sagebrush steppe, mountain shrub and salt desert communities of the The Wyoming Basin and Intermountain West, knowledge of vegetation sampling techniques and skill in plant collection and pressing is required. The ability to navigate using map/orientation skills, as well as use of GPS units and GIS software is desired. =20 New Mexico BLM State Office, Las Cruces, New Mexico =20 Interns will perform standard Seeds of Success collections via established protocol. Plant identification is a large part of this program. Previous field experience, particularly in botany or related subjects is desired. Familiarity with ArcMap GIS and mapping grade GPS would be useful. While SOS is the primary focus, where possible, interns will assist with other plant conservation program projects in progress during the summer. Projects may include, inventory for rare plant species, completion of plant studies, vegetation transecting, etc. Routine office work including record filing, database input, etc may be assigned. Interns will be integrated into a field office setting with various resource management specialists. When or if available, interns may participate in local BLM sponsored training sessions and outside symposia. =20 Medford BLM Field Office, Oregon =20 The major duties of this position will involve the collection of seeds for the Seeds of Success program, native plant restoration, rare plant and weed programs. The intern will be required to identify native species using dichotomous keys, find desired plant populations in remote locations using map and GPS technology, track phenology, and follow seed collection and storage protocols. Weed surveys will be conducted across the district. The rare plant program will involve surveys in timbersale contracts, and relocate and document rare plant population sites. Restoration projects will involve the seeding and planting of natives. =20 Background: The Seeds of Success (SOS) program operates through the Plant Conservation Alliance, an interagency program in which BLM and Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG) participates. The SOS program serves two purposes. SOS is the United States' contribution to the Royal Botanic Garden KEW (England) Millennium Seed Bank project under which seed from approximately 10% of the world's flora are to be collected for long-term germplasm storage and conservation research. Secondly, approximately half of the seed collected by BLM is returned for storage in the U.S. to support development of plant materials for land restoration purposes by BLM and other entities. =20 =20 To apply: Send a letter of interest and resume to Kristen Kordecki ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) =20 =20 =20 =20 Lara Jefferson, Ph.D. Manager, Training Programs Institute for Plant Biology and Conservation Chicago Botanic Garden 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, IL 60022 =20 ph: (847) 835-6919 fax: (847) 835-5484 =20
