The Conservation and Land Management Internship Program is a partnership between the Chicago Botanic Garden, the US Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. We are currently looking to fill this position as soon as a qualified candidate is found, so we suggest if you are interested you don't delay.
Job Description: Assist the District Botanist implement the district's native plant materials development program. This work would include assisting resource area botanists with seed and plant materials collections, monitoring sites where native plant materials have been used in the field, participating in and leading work crews for native plant materials production activities at the Horning Seed Orchard and at other project sites, and writing reports. The intern would learn about all aspects of native plant materials production from field collection to monitoring field use of materials produced and all steps in between. They will be involved in coordinating an inventory of native plant materials across the district and collating a district-wide native plant materials program report. Some time would be dedicated to familiarize the intern with all of the other aspects of the district's botany program which includes management of Threatened/Endangered and Special Status Species, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, and invasive plant management. Skill would be developed in native plant identification and using dichotomous keys. The intern would have the opportunity to collect and prepare specimens for herbarium and personal use, if interested. The intern would be given opportunities to work closely with botanists, weed coordinators and other resource specialists on the district to learn how to participate in project planning as an interdisciplinary team member responsible for conducting project clearances, weed risk assessments and providing recommendations for project design features and prescriptions to ensure native plants are considered during project planning. Once familiarized with the role of a botanist on an IDT the intern would be assigned a project or two to develop native plant prescriptions and recommendations. There may be other opportunities to work closely with Resource Area foresters, Wildlife Biologists, Fish Biologists, or other specialists. This internship provides a unique opportunity to make use of a wide range of resources through varied experiences and close work with natural resource specialists. The intern could essentially use this portion of their intern time to develop skills needed for their future while learning about the big picture of resource management in the northwest Oregon forests. Qualifications: Applicant would need at least a systematic botany or equivalent course and knowledge in the use of plant terminology and dichotomous keys for identifying vascular plants. Laboratory experience would include knowledge and use of compound and dissecting microscopes. Knowledge of GIS would be useful, but not required. Green house and plant propagation experience is desirable and interest in developing skills in these areas is a both necessary and encouraged. A basic understanding of ecosystem health, wildlife biology, and forestry would be helpful. For more information and directions to apply, please visit our website: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/research/training/clm_internship/apply
