Student Internships

Center for Great Plains Studies, chartered in 1976 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, serves to foster the study of people and the environment in the sparsely populated Great Plains. A region with highly variable climate, the Great Plains encompasses the area stretching westward from the Missouri River at Omaha and Kansas City to the Rocky Mountains, and northward from the Texas panhandle invites inquiry into the relationships between the environment and the cultures brought to it by its various inhabitants, as well as the implications of these relationships for the future. For more information, please contact Center For Great Plains Studies; P.O. Box 880314; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln, NE 68588-0314. Phone: (402)-472-3082. Fax: (402) 472-0463. E-mail: cgps@unl.edu.

Center for Prairie Studies Environmental Education Internship. The purpose of this internship is to provide training and experience in the development and implementation of environmental education programs in the Grinnell area. The intern, with guidance from an education faculty member, will design a program on environmental topics that may include activities such as field trips, special events, workshops, and performances. The program may focus on a specific grade level, or provide opportunities for families and children to learn together, or offer environmental awareness and learning experiences suited primarily for adults. The intern will be encouraged to form collaborations with individuals from local school districts, conservation organizations (Tallgrass Prairie Audubon Society, Iowa Prairie Network, County Conservation Boards), Grinnell College's Conard Environmental Research Area, Rock Creek Lake Alliance, youth group leaders (4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Galaxy) and community enhancement organizations such as Imagine Grinnell. Contact Martha Voyles, Assoc. Professor of Education (x3053) or Larissa Mottl, Conard Environmental Research Area Manager (x4717) for more information.

Diversity Farms, Inc. is a private natural resource consulting and management business. The business works with private landowners, business, organizations, and agencies to enhance native prairie, woodlands and wetlands. The business is located in southern Carroll County, near Dedham, Iowa. Intern Duties would be to help with prairie burns, planting prairie seed, collecting prairie seed, cleaning prairie seed, removal of alien weeds from prairie areas, and removal of woody species from prairies. Educational opportunities would be to learn the technique and function of prescribed burns, prairie and weed species identification, prairie restoration and reconstruction techniques, exotic weed and woody specie control techniques, and the business of land management, prairie restoration, and prairie seed sales. For further information contact Jon Judson; 25494 320th Street; Dedham, Iowa 51440. Phone: (712) 683-5555. Email: diversityfarms@iowatelecom.net.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) is now seeking 8 to 10 applicants for our paid land stewardship summer program. These interns conduct needed land management/maintenance on prairies, wetlands, savannas and other natural areas owned or protected by INHF. They work with our staff and other experts, on a variety of sites in Eastern & Central Iowa.

The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, February 13, 2009.

INHF is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects Iowa's land, water and wildlife "for those who follow." Since our founding in 1979, INHF has protected more than 100,000 acres throughout the state. Many of these sites are now popular state and county parks, nature trails and wildlife areas. By protecting Iowa's land, INHF protects our wildlife habitat, water quality, recreational opportunities and quality of life.

Please refer all applicants to our website listed below for further information.

http://www.inhf.org/aboutinternships.htm

Feel free to call or e-mail in advance if you have questions.

Laurie Fenimore, Internship Coordinator
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
505 Fifth Avenue, Suite 444
Des Moines, IA 50309-2321
Phone: 515-288-1846
Fax: 515-288-0137
e-mail: lfenimore@inhf.org

Iowa Valley RC&D
http://www.ivrcd.org/index.php

Summer Internship: Project Assistant
This position is a seasonal position.

Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) is a not-for-profit 501 (C) (3) corporation directed by volunteer board members. Our office is located in Amana, IA and serves the counties of; Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, Poweshiek, and Tama.

Iowa Valley RC&D assists people protect and develop their economic, natural, and social resources in ways that improve their areas’ economies, environment, and quality of life. The Iowa Valley RC&D provides avenues for people to plan and implement projects that will make their communities better places to live.

Several important and resume building internship opportunities exist with our current projects.

Roadside Remnant Tour, Guidebook Series, and Rare Plants Poster Projects
The Roadside Remnant Tour project is part of an educational program focused on the celebration of the cultural and natural heritage of plants native to the six county areas of Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, Poweshiek and Tama. The goal of this project is to actively inform the traveling public, so that roadsides may be equated with the preservation of our tall grass prairie heritage. The Guidebooks series includes the development of a Sportsman’s, Paddlers’, and Birders’ Guides of the Iowa and Cedar Valley region. The goal of the guidebook series is to increase awareness of the unique natural, historic, and cultural areas, as well as the many recreational, hunting, fishing, birding and eco-tourism opportunities of the region.

Job duties associated with all aspects of the implementation of these projects include but are not limited to:
Organization and transcription of written roadside inventories into digital format
Assistance with web design and updating website
Development of a database of eco-businesses
Work with ArcGIS to populate databases
Photography
Field verification of remnants and plantings
Research
Limited travel A working knowledge of ArcGIS and plants is a must for these projects

Experience with Adobe Creative Suite 2 Premium would be very helpful.

Jasper County Conservation Board will be taking applications for a naturalist intern and a park maintenance intern for the summer of 2009. The positions will be starting in May of 2009 and ending August of 2009 (specific starting and ending dates somewhat flexible, depending on schedule of applicant).

Naturalist Intern

POSITION: A naturalist internship with the Jasper County Conservation Board in Newton, Iowa.

EMPLOYMENT PERIOD: Starting in May of 2009 and ending August of 2009 (specific starting and ending dates somewhat flexible, depending on schedule of applicant). 40 hours/week, Mon.-Fri. Some weekends possible.

DESCRIPTION: Intern will assist the Naturalist and Assistant Naturalist in carrying out environmental education programming for the Jasper County Conservation Board. Major duties include providing programs and field trips for a variety of audiences; leading tours, hikes and other activities; developing new curriculum; assisting with the summer Junior Naturalist Program and Hunter Education Course; and writing articles and press releases. Other activities include developing special projects, creating and improving displays, web site updating, creating brochures, and assisting with park resource management activities. Interns will receive valuable practical experience during employment.

QUALIFICATIONS: Either be enrolled in or have a degree in one of the following fields: natural resources, wildlife biology, environmental education/interpretation, or biology/ecology/environmental studies. The applicant must have the ability to get to and from the work site and possess a current valid driver’s license.

REQUIREMENTS: Applicants should have the ability to work with people of all ages, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Applicants must have the ability to effectively apply knowledge and common sense to solve problems and/or achieve work objectives; have basic computer skills, especially desktop publishing; ability to routinely tand, walk, sit, kneel, stoop, balance, and climb; ability to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions; ability to routinely lift 75 lbs.; ability to follow written and oral instructions.

CONTACT: Please direct questions about then intern position to Keri Van Zante, Director, Jasper County Conservation Board, 641-792-9780, or kvanzante@co.jasper.ia.us.

 

Park Maintenance Intern

POSITION: A park maintenance internship with the Jasper County Conservation Board in Newton, Iowa.

EMPLOYMENT PERIOD: Starting in May of 2009 and ending August of 2009 (specific starting and ending dates somewhat flexible, depending on schedule of applicant). 40 hours/week, Mon.-Fri. Some weekends possible.

DESCRIPTION:  Duties will include mowing, painting, litter pick-up, general carpentry, prairie maintenance, water quality improvement practices, and planting/pruning trees and shrubs. Intern will also report/repair safety hazards; offer assistance and information to the public; assist park rangers with area surveillance; maintain working relationships with other employees and the public; attend mandatory safety training, staff meetings; and perform related tasks as assigned. Work will involve the operation of tractors, chainsaws, lawn mowers, and power tools. Intern will also be responsible for assisting the Naturalist with environmental education programming for the Jasper County Conservation Board.  Duties may include providing programs and field trips for a variety of audiences; leading tours, hikes and other activities; developing new curriculum; assisting with the summer Junior Naturalist Program and Hunter Education Course; and writing articles and press releases.  Other activities include developing special projects, creating and improving displays and assisting with other resource management activities. 

QUALIFICATIONS:   Either be enrolled in or have a degree in one of the following fields:  natural resources, wildlife biology, environmental education/interpretation, or biology/ecology/environmental studies.  The applicant must have the ability to get to and from the work site and possess a current valid driver’s license.

REQUIREMENTS: Applicants should have the ability to work with people of all ages, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Applicants must have the ability to effectively apply knowledge and common sense to solve problems and/or achieve work objectives; have basic computer skills, especially desktop publishing; ability to routinely stand, walk, sit, kneel, stoop, balance, and climb; ability to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions; ability to routinely lift 75 lbs.; ability to follow written and oral instructions.

CONTACT: Please direct questions about then intern position to Keri Van Zante, Director, Jasper County Conservation Board, 641-792-9780, or kvanzante@co.jasper.ia.us.

Keeper of the Land Americorps, Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
AmeriCorps 515-281-6271 (office)

Konza Prairie Biological Station  (KPBS) is a 3,487 hectare tallgrass prairie preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy and Kansas State University and operated as a field research station by the KSU Division of Biology. The station is dedicated to a three-fold mission of long-term ecological research, education, and prairie conservation. For more information, contact: The Director, Konza Prairie Biological Station; Division of Biology, 232 Ackert Hall; Kansas State University; Manhattan, KS 66506-0112. Phone: 785-532-5929. Fax: 785-532-6653. E-mail: konza@ksu.edu.

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The Friends of the Prairie Leaning Center have accepted applications for the 2008 intern program at the Refuge. For further information regarding internships, contact Friends of the Prairie Learning Center/Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge; P.O. Box 399; Prairie City, IA 50228. Phone: (515) 994-3400.

Private Prairie Partners Internships. These internships are land stewardship positions working with 3-4 private landowners in Marshall and Story Counties in central Iowa. The primary work locations will be 2 reconstructed prairies owned by Carl and Linda Kurtz, near McCallsburg.The work will involve prairie management of all kinds, including weeding, tree cutting, seed collecting, planting, mowing, and the repair of job-related mechanical equipment. Although the work involves a considerable amount of manual labor, it offers a great opportunity to learn most common prairie plants and animals from a nationally renowned prairie restorationist and nature photographer.Apply by sending a cover letter and copy of your transcript to Carl Kurtz; 1562 Binford Ave.; St. Anthony, IA 50239. Questions can be sent by email to cpkurtz@netins.net or answered directly by phone at 641-477-8364.

The Nature Conservancy of Iowa is pleased to announce two internship opportunities. Conservation Biology and Conservation Planning will be provided for qualifying undergraduate students attending institutions of higher learning in Iowa .  Interns will perform conservation activities for Conservancy preserves and landscape project areas across the state.
Iowa Field Office; 303 Locust Street - Suite 40; Des Moines, IA 50309. (515) 244-5044. (515) 244-8890 (fax).iowa@tnc.org

The Anna Beal Summer Intern Scholarships in Conservation Biology. The program is intended to broaden the education of Iowa college students, as well as providing them with financial support. The program introduces recipients to preserve management practices, preserve design, natural resource protection, and conservation science methods. Field experience will focus on hands-on experience doing preserve management tasks and may include natural areas inventory and population monitoring. Funding for the internships is provided by the Anna Beal Trust. Application deadline is February 27, 2009.

Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). During the spring 2008 semester, the salaried intern will be responsible for coordinating with city and park officials and local organizations to develop a schedule and plan for specific projects at Arbor Lake Park. The intern will also publicize the YCC program, help recruit high school students, and assist with the hiring process. During the summer internship, the intern will instruct, supervise, and participate in all YCC crew work, prepare work day schedules, coordinate delivery of supplies and equipment, plan two-three educations programs or field trips for the crew, and provide project updates to a YCC Program Committee.

Skills: Effective communication style for youth (ages 15 -18), project coordination (leadership skills, attention to detail, practical outdoor safety, plant identification skills, proficiency in using hand tools, adeptness at scheduling and planning. Application deadline was February 8, 2008.