Conservation and Land Management Mentoring Program A paid botany internship position is available for a recent graduate at the Catoctin Mountain Park, C&O Canal National Historical Park and Center for Urban Ecology, Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance. Applicants must have strong botany skills, be able to identify mid-Atlantic flora and have knowledge of restoration and conservation initiatives.=20
=20 Compensation is $750 per two week pay period. Housing is provided. The internships are 5 months in length. The starting date is flexible. Job Description: The intern will work in three locations, but mainly in the C&O NHP (80% time) and Catoctin Mountain Park (20%). =20 1) Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO): The intern will work on rare plant issues, monitoring, and protection and will work on data from vegetation plots that examine deer browse impacts on forest regeneration. The intern will assist park staff in analyzing data as needed from permanent vegetation plots. This will expand the intern's experience in analyzing standard forest monitoring plot data. Currently, the Park has protection and preservation efforts for some state rare species. The Intern will assist with compiling monitoring data for these species, such as the large purple-fringed orchid (Platanthera grandiflora), and updating information on their critical habitats. =20 =20 2) C&O Canal National Historical Park (C&O NHP): The intern will finish work on draft restoration guidelines to enable the park to provide better native plant species and community protection, and more effective resource management. The intern will amplify the draft manual by focusing on for each maintenance district within CHOH. The individual will assist with the development and evaluation of protocols within ongoing park projects and programs, in particular exotic plant removal and site restoration projects, (trail maintenance and vegetation planting during construction projects); and produce a set of protocols which may used as an Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) for park daily operations. As time permits, the intern may work with park interpretive staff on the Bridging the Watershed the invasive species and native species classroom modules, as well as with the park public affairs staff to produce articles on protection of native plant and threats to the habitats. =20 Lacking a strong vegetation restoration protocol (standard operation procedures - SOP), the park would like to strengthen protection and stewardship of park natural resources through appropriate vegetation restoration practices. The park needs a botanist to develop vegetation restoration protocols and procedures. In development of protocols, the botanist will first identify recommended native seed sources for grasses and stock sources for native plants. Then the botanist will research appropriate planting techniques based on plant phenology. The botanist will perform a literature search and build library resources as needed. A draft set of protocols (SOP) will be produced. The intern will do on-site visits within each maintenance district to examine the range of possible restoration projects. As appropriate, the intern will interview engineering and maintenance staff about past projects, techniques, and outcomes. =20 3) Center for Urban Ecology, Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance: >From park RTE plant species lists (with current synonymy, state and global ranks, and blooming periods) create outreach materials such as brochure or PDF to be posted on park websites through the assistance of Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance (UERLA). A profile summary for each park about the priority RTE (rare, threatened, and endangered) species will be developed. The profile RTEs will be a synthesis of information from park reports, natural heritage and scientific literature, electronic literature, and pictures. The UERLA will assist finalizing outreach media. =20 =20 To apply: Send a letter of interest, unofficial transcripts and resume to Lara Jefferson ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). A letter of recommendation should also be sent via email ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) from three referees. =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
