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Internship Announcement-Catskill NYC Watersheds Invasive Species Intern Student Conservation Association Internship (Position 9173) Start date: 06/01/09 End date: 11/02/09 Flexible within 1-2 weeks of start or end date Deadline for application: May 8, 2009 Office Location: Kingston, NY This is a paid internship. To apply for this position: Catskill NYC Watersheds Invasive Species Intern<http://www.thesca.org/node/19456> Work with staff from Eastern New York Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and New York City Department of Environmental Protection to abate the threat of invasive forest insects and plant species in the Catskills Mountains. Invasive insect and plant species pose significant threats to the long-term viability of forest and aquatic ecosystems in the Catskills by displacing native species and altering ecosystem properties. The intern will work as a member of an early detection and rapid response (EDRR) team to identify and map invasive forest insect and invasive plant occurrences, and control priority invasive plants. The EDRR team will serve as the frontline defense in protecting the Catskills from new invading species. The position will work in a variety of settings in the Catskills, ranging from mapping and controlling invasive occurrences in the backcountry of the forest preserve to detecting occurrences that are moving into the region. The Catskill Mountains Invasive Species Intern will be supervised by the Eastern New York Chapter's Ecological Management Coordinator in conjunction with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Invasive Species Coordinator. Description of Region: The Catskill Park is a mountainous region of public and private lands in southeastern New York containing ninety-eight peaks over 3,000 feet high that form an impressive skyline. Almost 300,000 acres have been protected as Forest Preserve within the park. The northern hardwood forests of the Catskill region contain a diversity of ecological systems based on unique soils, elevation and microclimates. The forests of the Catskill Mountains contain rare plants and animals and also serve as the source of drinking water for nine million consumers in New York City and surrounding areas. Within the Catskill region, the New York City west-of -Hudson watersheds occupy approximately 1 million acres. NYC DEP owns about 115,000 acres of watershed land. After more than a century of land protection, the Catskill Mountain region represents one of the greatest opportunities to preserve large unfragmented forest systems in the northeast, which species such as coyotes, bears, bobcats, minks and fishers call home. Requirements: Enrollment in or completion of B.S. degree program in biological sciences or natural resources related field or comparable experience. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Sound judgment and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently with little or no day-to-day supervision. Ability to work as part of a team with other interns and volunteers. Willingness to work with herbicides. Drivers license and personal vehicle. US citizen. Desired Skills: Familiarity with GPS and ArcGIS software; Invasive species management; Experience collecting biological monitoring data in the field helpful; Familiarity with insects and New York flora helpful. Training will be offered in: Plant and insect identification, Geographical Positioning Systems, ArcGIS, invasive species control techniques. Duties: Coordinate survey of forested sites for presence of Asian Longhorned Beetle - 20%; B) Conduct invasive forest insect and plant outreach activities - 10%; C) Map invasive insect and plant occurrences using Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) - 25%; D) Control invasive plants using a variety of mechanical and chemical control techniques - 15%; E) Enter and summarize invasive survey data - 10%; F) Assist with other duties as appropriate - 5%; G) Participate in all SCA Corps-wide training and service projects including project evaluation and reporting (15%). Barbara Dibeler Landscape Ecologist-Invasive Species Coordinator NYC DEP 71 Smith Avenue Kingston, NY 12401 Ph: 845.340.7856 Fax: 845.338.1296
