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Programme for Belize
Environmental Leadership Center of Warren Wilson College
Internship Program · Summer
"...We managed to capture 15 different species which amounted to over one thousand fish. It was amazing to learn how to identify that many different fish in so little time. I was thrilled to learn how to use the cast net, gill net, hand lines, fish traps and jugs. The best part was that not only did we get to learn how to use these things, we were consistently given time to practice these skills - an opportunity I am not likely to get again. I also learned to identify several different birds and flora. The research on the mangrove swallows taught me more specific things about birds such as how to take their measurements, name their different body parts, and recognize all their specialized feathers. The people of Hill Bank made this an easy and extremely pleasurable experience. There were many different backgrounds all converged into one place. I got to converse with Mayans, the Gurifunas, the Mexicans, from fisherman to foresters to managers." -Tea Gluhak
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INTERNSHIP:
Established in 1988, The Programme for Belize (PfB) is a Belizean, non-profit organization that promotes the conservation of the natural heritage of Belize and the wise use of its natural resources. Intern(s) will assist in the collection, evaluation and calculation of field data collected within the New River Aquatic Research and Mangrove Swallow Research projects. Other internship responsibilities include: collecting daily weather data, interpreting current and new trails for long term monitoring and resource utilization and assisting in the collection of insect orders for environmental education displays.
The Hill Bank Field Station is located on the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, a 260,000 acres reserve that is owned and managed by Programme for Belize. The Hill Bank Field Station is an important site of Belize's colonial history, having served as an intensive center of timber extraction for over one hundred and fifty years, commencing in the seventeenth century. The Hill Bank Field Station serves as a research base for sustainable forestry management and specialized tourism that incorporates research activities into the visitor's experience. Located on the bank of the New River Lagoon, the Hill Bank Field Station provides a panoramic view of diverse habitats filled with wildlife activities and other tourism attractions. Hill Bank offers a unique outdoors experience that includes hiking trails, bird walks, forest observation, field research, and canoeing on the New River Lagoon, the largest inland water body in Belize. Through a well-organized combination of research and conservation projects, Hill Bank fulfills Programme for Belize's mission of conserving the rich bio-diversity of northwestern Belize, increasing environmental awareness and promoting sustainable land use.
LOCATION: Hill Bank Field Station, Belize
DATES & DURATION: June 1 - August 10
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: Two
LAST YEAR INTERN(S): Chelsea Maier, Mandy Monroe
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.pfb.org
Job Description
"...I went into this internship hoping to broaden my horizons in hopes that it would help me be a better teacher. Having completed the internship now, I realize that I won't just be a better teacher but also a better scientist and environmentalist. I learned about Belizean culture and about Belize's wild places and I also learned that I really enjoy scientific field work and that I would like to do work in and for the natural environment. I may love teaching and make a career out of it but if I don't, I know what I'll be doing instead. While working for Programme for Belize I saw examples of how important it is to be organized and to effectively communicate in order to carry out anything productive. What I experienced to that end in Belize will be important to remember for the rest of my life. In the immediate future it will be important to me as the student crew boss on the Warren Wilson Blacksmith Crew and also as a student teacher next semester." -Patrick Farnell
DESCRIPTION OF INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Intern(s) will serve as a research assistant(s) in several of PfB's research programs performing tasks listed below.
• Data collection for Ecological Assessment of New River Lagoon Area.
• Data collection for water quality of the New River Lagoon.
• Data collection for Mangrove Forest research project.
• Data collection/documentation for Mangrove Swallows/Insect Research
• Developing education materials from data gathered
Intern(s) will also be required to keep and submit a journal of daily activities and a final report on internship. Finally, intern(s) must meet all follow-up requirements mandated by the ELC's Environmental Internship Program.
Schedule: Interns will be based at the Hill Bank Field Station performing the tasks outlined above. On their time off, any activities conducted outside of the field station are contingent on the interns' stipend. Interns will be expected to work at least 6 to 8 weeks of the 10-week period above. Time off will be additional but within the 10-week period.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A student in good standing at Warren Wilson College who qualifies through the ELC's internship program. Second or third year college student with a concentration in Environmental Science or Biology. Completed coursework in Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Assessment, Chemistry, General Biology and Writing. Ability to work independently and conscientiously and the ability to work well with a variety of people. Computer skills in Windows 97. Willingness to work outside in isolated and remote areas. Finally, the intern must meet all follow-up requirements mandated by the ELC's Internship Program.
COMPENSATION:
A $200.00 stipend is awarded to intern(s). Room, board and round trip air travel are provided.
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