The Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon (ASA), a non-profit organization working in the southeastern Peruvian Amazon, is seeking interns to assist its international team of biologists and conservationists with various projects spanning biological research and monitoring and sustainable tropical agriculture. Interns are based at Finca Las Piedras, the ASA’s field site in Peru’s Madre de Dios Department.
THREE OPPORTUNITIES: 1. Introduction to Sustainability Internship (4 weeks) 2. Advanced Sustainability Internship (8 weeks) 3. Academic Quarter Internship (12 weeks) 1. INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY INTERNSHIP Duration: 4 weeks Fees: $325/week ($1,300/4 weeks) Dates (2018): Session I: Apr 2–May 27 Session II: Apr 30–May 25 Session III: May 28–Jun 22 Session IV: June 25–Jul 20 Session V: Jul 23–Aug 17 Session VI: Aug 20–Sep 14 Session VII: Sep 17–Oct 12 Session VIII: Oct 15–Nov 9 Session IX: Nov 12–Dec 7 Program Overview: This 4-week program offers participants a broad introduction to biological research and conservation in the tropics. Our teaching and learning approach is both academic and hands-on. After receiving training in basic field skills, interns will participate directly in scientific research and applied conservation projects that span our two focal areas: biological research and monitoring and sustainable tropical agriculture. With the help of our academic faculty, interns will also navigate tropical biology and conservation science through lectures and weekly reading discussions covering articles drawn from the primary scientific literature. All interns maintain a field journal, including daily entries that aim to synthesize their learning experiences and sharpen their observational skills. This is an excellent opportunity to explore an exciting variety of potential career paths in biology and conservation under the guidance of experts in those fields. 2. ADVANCED SUSTAINABILITY INTERNSHIP Duration: 8 weeks Fees: $275/week ($2,200/8 weeks) Dates (2018): Session I: Apr 2 – May 25 Session II: Apr 30 – Jun 22 Session III: May 28 – Jul 20 Session IV: Jun 25 – Aug 17 Session V: Jul 23 – Sep 14 Session VI: Aug 20 – Oct 12 Session VII: Sep 17 – Nov 9 Session VIII: Oct 15 – Dec 7 Program Overview: This 8-week program offers participants a more in-depth survey of biological research and conservation in the tropics. Interns will learn by participating directly in scientific research and applied conservation projects that span our two focal areas: biological research and monitoring and sustainable tropical agriculture. Under the guidance of our academic faculty, interns will also navigate tropical biology and conservation science through lectures and weekly reading discussions covering articles drawn from the primary scientific literature. All interns maintain a field journal, including daily entries that aim to synthesize their learning experiences and sharpen their observational skills. Independent Research Project As well as the activities listed above, participants in the Advanced Sustainability Internship Program will have the added opportunity to develop an Independent Research Project on a topic of their choosing, under the supervision of our academic faculty. This will allow interns to build upon what they have learned at the beginning of the program and apply it to a project in an area that is novel or interesting to them. Topics may also be assigned in an area of our faculty’s academic expertise, including wildlife biology and ecology, entomology, botany, natural history, sustainable agriculture, and community development. This optional project will provide participants with a more thorough insight into the process of scientific discovery and conservation in the tropics. 3. ACADEMIC QUARTER INTERNSHIP Duration: 12 weeks Fees: $250/week ($3,000/12 weeks) Dates (2018): Session I: Apr 2 – Jun 22 Session II: Apr 30 – Jul 20 Session III: May 28 – Aug 17 Session IV: Jun 25 – Sep 14 Session V: Sep 17 – Dec 7 Program Overview: This 12-week program offers participants the most thorough exploration of biological research and conservation in the tropics. Interns will learn by participating directly in scientific research and applied conservation projects that span our two focal areas: biological research and monitoring and sustainable tropical agriculture. Under the guidance of our academic faculty, interns will also explore topics tropical biology and conservation science through lectures and weekly reading discussions covering articles drawn from the primary scientific literature. All interns maintain a field journal, including daily entries that aim to synthesize their learning experiences and sharpen their observational skills. Independent Research Project As well as the activities listed above, participants in the Academic Quarter Internship Program will have the added opportunity to develop an Independent Research Project on a topic of their choosing, under the supervision of our academic faculty. This will allow interns to build upon what they have learned at the beginning of the program and apply it to a project in an area that is novel or interesting to them. Topics may also be assigned in an area of our faculty’s academic expertise, including wildlife biology and ecology, entomology, botany, natural history, sustainable agriculture, and community development. This optional project will provide participants with a more thorough insight into the process of scientific discovery and conservation in the tropics, and is ideal for those intending to complete an academic thesis, particularly at the undergraduate level (i.e., capstone). EXAMPLE INTERN ACTIVITIES (HIGHLIGHTS) -Development of an Independent Research Project, including project proposal, data collection and analysis, and presentation of findings in multiple formats -Weekly readings from the primary literature covering topics in tropical ecology, conservation biology, and sustainable development -Group reading discussions led by academic faculty -Lectures on topics ranging from Amazonian biodiversity, tropical ecology and biology, and conservation challenges -Butterfly ecology, evolution, & natural history—participate in an ongoing, long-term study to understand butterfly diversity and biology, including butterfly collecting and rearing for host plant records -Primate demography, spatial & feeding ecology of primates (brown titi monkeys & saddleback tamarins) -Biological inventories—insects, birds, mammals, trees/plants -Plant phenology (fruiting and flowering of select trees and plants)—to monitor changes over time in a changing climate -Artificial macaw nest boxes—use and occupancy -Reforestation with native cacao – the plant from which chocolate is made is also a promising, biodiversity-friendly alternative to unsustainable agriculture in our region -Experimental agricultural plots (e.g., to test effects of composting, biochar, & other organic fertilizers, intercropping, integrated pest management, etc. -Shade house and tree nursery management practices -Native food forest monitoring – a future forest of native species with food, building, and/or medicinal uses MORE INFORMATION & HOW TO APPLY: For more details about our Internship Programs in the Peruvian Amazon please visit our website (http://www.sustainableamazon.org<https://www.sustainableamazon.org/internship-program-2018>/internship-program-2018<https://www.sustainableamazon.org/internship-program-2018> ). For general inquiries please contact us at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. We look forward to meeting you in Peru! Geoff Gallice, Ph.D. President Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon A U.S. 501(c)3 charity
