Biology Internship and Volunteering Opportunities (February 23, 2015) Internships Avian Husbandry & Care Internship: Connecticut Agency Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy Location Litchfield, CT Job Category Internships website http://www.lrwc.net Salary $400 per month plus housing Start Date 04/28/2015 Last Date to Apply 03/15/2015 Description Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy P.O. Box 210, Litchfield, CT 06759 (860) 567-2062 Fax (860) 567-4369 info@lrwc.net www.lrwc.net AVIAN HUSBANDRY & CARE INTERNSHIP The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy (LRWC) is accepting applications for an avian husbandry & care internship for undergraduates, recent graduates and graduate students in the fields of science or biology. Interns receive on- the- job training alongside our internationally known staff in all aspects of aviculture working with the Conservancy's large captive collection of waterfowl comprised of approximately 400 birds representing over 60 species from all over the world including raptors. Position Description: Internships are 24 weeks in duration (six months). Interns are provided with housing and a monthly stipend. Internship responsibilities include: Feeding, maintenance, and care of the captive waterfowl collection Cleaning enclosures and ponds Aviary maintenance including grounds and structures Assistance with bird capture/restraint/transport Exposure to raptor husbandry and training Record keeping Interacting with LRWC visitors and donors during public visitation hours and special 1
events Training and working with imprinted education birds Assisting the Director of Education at school and community events Support fundraising initiatives including mailings and general event preparations Experience with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter Proficiency MS Word, Excel and Publisher is a plus This is a demanding position that requires long hours and extended periods outside in adverse weather conditions. Applicants must be willing to put in the time and effort to complete projects as needed. Qualifications: Undergraduate or graduate students in the field of science or biology Students in related fields may also be considered Experience in animal care and/or experience with avian husbandry is highly desirable Exceptional attention to detail Capable of performing diverse tasks simultaneously Ability to problem solve in the field Excellent writing ability High level of professionalism Effective interpersonal skills and a cordial attitude Be able to lift at least 50 pounds, climb a ladder 20 feet or higher and perform overhead work Able to operate maintenance equipment such as riding mowers, weed whackers and basic power tools Applicants must also be available to work any of the seven days of the week and holidays with the possibility of late evenings as needed. A valid driver license is required. Compensation: Interns receive housing and a bi- weekly stipend of $200.00 ($400.00 per month). About the Conservancy: The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is a not for- profit organization dedicated to the conservation of waterfowl and wetland habitats through research, education, and conservation action. An integral part of our conservation and education programs are the aviaries, where over sixty species of waterfowl, as well as cranes, screamers and raptors, are housed. Conservancy staff conducts on- site and off- site environmental education programs relating to biodiversity and waterfowl and wetland conservation, often utilizing the aviaries and imprinted education birds. LRWC is located in a small town with 8,000 residents in northwestern Connecticut. Applicants should be aware of the opportunities and limitations of living in a quaint New England community. A car is highly recommended. Interns cannot drive Conservancy vehicles. Litchfield is an outdoor enthusiast s paradise and LRWC itself has access to several hundred acres of wetland and upland habitats. 2
To Apply: Qualified applicants should email a letter of inquiry, resume, and at least three references to Cate Hogan, Director at chogan@lrwc.net Resumes will be reviewed as they are received, with application deadline of March 15, 2015. Intern start date is April 1st. Selected candidates will be interviewed shortly thereafter. No calls please. Qualifications Qualifications: Undergraduate or graduate students in the field of science or biology Students in related fields may also be considered Experience in animal care and/or experience with avian husbandry is highly desirable Exceptional attention to detail Capable of performing diverse tasks simultaneously Ability to problem solve in the field Excellent writing ability High level of professionalism Effective interpersonal skills and a cordial attitude Be able to lift at least 50 pounds, climb a ladder 20 feet or higher and perform overhead work Able to operate maintenance equipment such as riding mowers, weed whackers and basic power tools Applicants must also be available to work any of the seven days of the week and holidays with the possibility of late evenings as needed. A valid driver license is required. Contact Person Cate Hogan Contact Phone No phone calls please Contact email chogan@lrwc.net Volunteer Opportunities 1. US Dept. of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, Westbrook, CT Shorebird Monitoring Contact Shaun Roche 860 399-2513 2. Audubon Connecticut Volunteer Opportunities with Audubon CT Volunteering is a great way to improve your bird identification skills, see some beautiful places, meet new people, and gain experience in field biology. Audubon and its partners are looking for volunteers to participate in the following activities: Piping Plover and Least Tern Monitoring: 3
The Piping Plover is a small migratory shorebird that breeds on beaches in Connecticut from late March through August. This federally and state threatened bird lays 3-4 eggs in a small depression in dry sand and cobble and incubates them for about a month. Unfortunately, less than 55 pairs nest in Connecticut each year. The Least Tern nests on select beaches and islands in Connecticut in May through July. This state threatened colonial nesting species forms large groups and nests quickly, with 1-3 eggs laid in depressed sand. Typically, a few hundred pairs of Least Tern attempt to nest in state; sometimes only tens of young survive to fledging. Piping Plover and Least Tern monitors are needed to survey for nests and young, help ensure their protection against predators and human disturbance, and to educate the public about the birds. When: March through August. Volunteers need only commit to monitoring once per month. Training for new monitors will take place from 10:30am- 12pm on Saturday Mar. 14th, 2015 at Stratford Point, 1207 Prospect Drive, Stratford, CT. Shorebird Outreach Program: The Audubon Alliance and the Friends of the Westbrook Barrier Islands are looking for volunteers to staff information booths or do outreach on the beach at Sandy Point (West Haven) and the Menunkatesuck sand flats (Westbrook) where Piping Plovers and/or other beach nesting birds are found. Volunteers would play a key role in increasing community awareness about beach- nesting and migrating shorebirds, the threats they face, and how to help them. Volunteers would receive training in May focused on engaging beachgoers and would staff the information booths on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Beachgoers visiting the booths would learn about beach- nesting birds and their habitat needs and be asked to take the Be a Good Egg Pledge. Volunteers are asked to commit to staffing a table once a month for 2 hours. This Project is funded by the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. Forest Bird Surveys: In 2014, Audubon Connecticut and its partners provided habitat assessments to 40 landowners interested in managing their woods with bird in mind. This summer, we are looking for volunteers to go to the properties assessed in 2014 to conduct standardized bird surveys. The data collected during these surveys and the quantitative data collected during the assessments will be used to model forest bird distribution and abundance, allowing us to better understand the habitat preferences of focal species. Training will be provided in late April/early May. Volunteers are asked to visit a location (likely in the Northwest Hills of CT) twice between May 20th July 1st and conduct 5-10 point counts. Please note: Volunteers must be able to identify ~20 forest breeding birds by sight and sound. Bird Banding and Territory Mapping: The Audubon Center at the Bent of the River has been conducting shrubland bird monitoring in order to adaptively manage its fields and meadows for the past 10 years. Starting in the spring of 2013, we have invited volunteers to get involved in these activities which include bird banding and territory mapping. Bird Banding: We will be conducting bird banding on Thursdays, starting April 30th, 2015, from May through June and again from September through October. Important Bird Area Program Coordinator and Master Bander Corrie Folsom- O Keefe will provide training to volunteers who participate regularly. Territory Mapping: We are also looking for volunteers to assist with territory mapping for Prairie Warbler, Blue- winged Warbler, Field Sparrow and Indigo Bunting. Good hearing is required. Territory mapping volunteers will need to commit to visiting to the Bent of the River and walking a route through the meadows five times between mid- May and the end of June. Keep in mind that both bird banding and territory mapping are early morning activities (6-10am). To volunteer or for more information, contact Corrie Folsom- O Keefe, Important Bird Area Program Coordinator, at 203-405- 9116 or cfolsom- okeefe@audubon.org 4
Wildlife Guards Crew Leaders Overview: In 2014, Bridgeport s Pleasure Beach reopened to the public after nearly 20 years. This barrier beach/island is a nesting site for the federally threatened Piping Plover and the state threatened Least Tern and hosts four state listed plant species. To ensure that these birds have the opportunity to nest successfully and to maintain the barrier beach, a rare habitat in Connecticut, Audubon Connecticut created the WildLife Guards Program. The program trains, mentors, and employs 10 local high schools students and 2 crew leaders to monitor nesting birds and engage visitors, families, and friends about Pleasure Beach and its wildlife. Position Summary: The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, in partnership with Audubon Connecticut and the City of Bridgeport, is seeking 2 qualified individuals to serve as crew leaders. The crew leaders would supervise and train the 10 WildLife Guards (high school students) in their daily activities. The crew leaders would receive a week of paid training (Mon. June 22nd Fri. June 26th), then begin working with the crew Tuesday Saturday from July 1st until Aug. 22nd. Crew Leaders will be paid $15/hr. Essential Functions: Mentor, motivate, and inspire youth serving as WildLife Guards Facilitate team building and help the WildLife Guards work through challenging situations Develop and model public outreach programs (e.g. walks, seine netting, touch tank, scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, etc.) to the WildLife Guards. WildLife Guards are expected to run these programs after their first week. Create a schedule of activities (outreach programs, bird monitoring, and habitat restoration work) to be performed weekly by the WildLife Guards. Become familiar with program goals and a crew leader s role in attaining them. Track metrics (# people engaged, # materials distributed, # pledges to protect birds signed, # hours spend monitoring birds, etc.) Work with the WildLife Guards to update and enhance the program website and Facebook page. Qualifications and Experience: Crew leaders must be responsible, mature, and able to serve as mentors to the WildLife Guards. Good communication skills required. Crew leaders should be comfortable interacting with WildLife Guards, their families, the public, and project partners. Must be punctual and respond to emails, text messages, etc. in a timely manner. Good planning skills desired. In the event of poor weather, Pleasure Beach may not open on a given day (it is only accessible by water taxi). When this occurs the WildLife Guards will meet at an alternate location. Crew Leaders need check the weather daily, keep the Guards informed, and bring materials stored at Pleasure Beach off the island if it is likely the crew will be working from the alternate location. Fluency in Spanish a plus. Knowledge of invasive plant species found in Connecticut is also desirable. Crew leaders are required to successfully complete a day long Basic First Aid/CPR certification course offered by Audubon Connecticut in mid-june. How to apply: Send a cover letter and resume to Scott Kruitbosch, Conservation & Outreach 5
Coordinator, Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, at skruitbosch@rtpi.org. 3. Volunteers Needed for Shorebird Monitoring 2015 United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge 733 Old Clinton Road Westbrook, Connecticut 06498-1030 Phone: 860-399-2513 Fax: 860-399-2515 NEWS RELEASE To be Released: Immediately Phone: (860) 399-2513 Contact: Shaun Roche Spend your summer days at the beach and help protect a federally threatened species! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners are seeking volunteers to monitor piping plovers and other shorebirds from early April until late August at beaches across our state. A training and orientation session for new volunteers will be held on Saturday, March 14th 2015 from 10:30am to 12:00noon at Stratford Point, 1207 Prospect Drive, Stratford, CT 06615; past volunteers will be offered a refresher from 9:00am to 10:15am. The sessions will review the following: biology of the piping plover, how to monitor breeding pairs and chicks, volunteer organization and logistics, and law enforcement information. Atlantic Coast populations of piping plovers return to the Connecticut coast in March from their wintering grounds on the Gulf Coast and Caribbean. The cryptic nests of the piping plover are extremely susceptible to human disturbance, predation, and tidal wash outs. To enhance the survival and productivity of birds breeding in Connecticut, an annual monitoring partnership is cooperatively sponsored by Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Audubon Connecticut, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History and The Nature Conservancy. Working at locations across coastal Connecticut, our volunteers observe the shorebirds, record and report nesting data, and educate the beach-going public about the monitoring program. Volunteers work 4 hour shifts from April until the end of the breeding season (usually in August) and must donate a minimum of 4 hours per month. The work can be very rewarding, as volunteers will have the opportunity to positively impact nesting success for threatened shorebirds across the state. For more information on the training session or for directions, please email USFWS 6
Visitor Services Manager Shaun Roche at shaun_roche@fws.gov. Reservations are not required; but an e-mail letting us know you will be attending is appreciated. 4. Maritime Aquarium Norwalk As a non-profit institution, The Maritime Aquarium relies on the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers. They work at Aquarium exhibits, interpreting displays, and welcoming, orienting and educating visitors. Volunteers staff the Seal Exhibit, Touch Tank, Shark & Ray Touch Pool and Ocean Beyond the Sound exhibit. Volunteers also work behind-the-scenes, helping out in our corporate offices, organizing sleepovers and other special events. For more information about The Maritime Aquarium volunteer program, call the Volunteer Services Department at (203) 852-0700, ext. 2225, or e-mail us at volunteers@maritimeaquarium.org Spring training begins March 10, 2015 7