BLM, NLCS (Las Cienegas NCA, Ironwood Forest NM, and San Pedro Riparian NCA) Botanical/Wildlife Intern
The CONSERVATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM is a partnership between the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Bureau of Land Management, National Parks Service and the USDA Forest Service. The BLM Tucson Field Office NLCS Botanical/Wildlife intern will help improve understanding and management of three National Landscape System (NLCS) units located within BLM's Tucson, Arizona Field Office. Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (NCA) was designated in 2000 and is a high desert grassland with significant wetland and riparian resources. It supports nine endangered species and has become nationally recognized for its on-the-ground problem solving. The San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA) was designated in 1988 and is a valuable perennial system supporting a vigorous riparian community which is vital habitat for nearly 400 avian, 81 mammalian, and 43 reptiles/amphibian species. The SPRNCA also contains internationally significant Clovis, archaic, Spanish settlement, and historic resource sites. The Ironwood Forest National Monument (IFNM) was established in 2000 and lies in the heart of the Sonoran Desert ecosystem in southern Arizona, and is a unique scenic area of rolling desert and ironwood woodlands including the Silverbell, Waterman, Sawtooth, and Roskruge Mountains. The IFNM contains habitat for two endangered species as well as several other species of concern. Our wide range of ongoing projects offer experience in mapping invasive plant species, monitoring riparian and upland vegetation, identifying marsh and grassland plants, monitoring native fish populations and fish and wildlife habitats, coordinating community involvement, using GIS software to create maps and analyze data, and more. Internship Focus and main duties will include: Invasive Plant Mapping and Early Detection Weed Monitoring at Las Cienegas NCA and Ironwood Forest National Monument Vegetation Monitoring at Las Cienegas NCA Native Fish Monitoring at Las Cienegas NCA and San Pedro Riparian NCA Other research and management projects which the intern may participate in include inventorying ponds and springs for invasive plant and animal species, tracking how grasses and shrubs respond to mesquite thinning treatments, monitoring refuge habitats for endangered frogs, monitoring two endangered fish species and their habitats, monitoring the endangered Kearny blue star in the Baboquivari Wilderness, and monitoring flowering agaves that support endangered nectar-feeding bats. Start date: May 29, 2008. Duration approximately 5-10 months. Position open until filled. Travel and lodging expenses are covered for you to travel to Chicago in late May for a one-week training course held at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Compensation is $750.00/pay period (every two weeks) How to Apply: Applicants must have a visa authorized for employment in the United States of America. Please send a letter of interest, school transcript(s), resume, and three letters of recommendation to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This opportunity may also be conducted as a research component of a Masters program with Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden. For application information, visit: http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu <http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu/> For more information visit the website: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/clm
