BLM, NLCS (Las Cienegas NCA, Ironwood Forest NM, and San Pedro Riparian NCA) Botanical/Wildlife Intern. This is a 5-10 month position available immediately to the qualified applicant. Salary is $750.00 every two weeks. Position will remain open until filled.
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-The Sonoran Institute, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and Bureau of Land Management are working cooperatively to map invasive plants on Las Cienegas National Conservation Area and Ironwood Forest National Monument. On Las Cienegas NCA, focal species for mapping include but are not limited to tamarisk (Tamarix sp.), Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii), and Malta starthistle (Centaurea melitensis). On Ironwood Forest National Monument, the focal species include buffelgrass ( Pennisetum ciliare ), fountaingrass (Pennisetum setaceum), and Sahara mustard. The intern will learn basic principles of GIS and methodology for using Pocket PCs for data collection. On Las Cienegas NCA, survey areas will focus on the riparian area surrounding Cienega Creek and roadside areas along Arizona Highways 82 and 83. On Ironwood Forest National Monument, survey areas will focus on Waterman Mountains Area of Critical Environmental Concern which supports the endangered Nichol's Turk's Head Cactus (Echinocactus horizonthalonius var. nicholii), and along major transportation routes. The abundance and location of target exotic plant species will be mapped following the North American Invasive Plant Mapping Standards (NAWMA 2002). Any observations of the target species will be mapped using TDS Recon units equipped with HGIS and an integrated GPS to produce ArcMap shapefiles. Individual target plants will be mapped as points and areas over 5 m in diameter will be mapped as polygons. Multiple species can be recorded in a polygon and for each species a percent cover class will be assigned. Vegetation Monitoring at Las Cienegas NCA-The Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Land Management, and Sonoita Valley Planning Partnership are working cooperatively to implement an ongoing ecological monitoring program on Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. Annual summer fieldwork includes mapping perennial stream flow and monitoring riparian vegetation in Cienega Creek. This intern would take the lead on mapping the distribution of endangered Huachuca water umbel along this creek. Annual fall fieldwork will include measuring changes in grassland plant cover, composition and health, and using this data to help inform grazing decision-making. Native Fish Monitoring at Las Cienegas NCA and San Pedro Riparian NCA-Native Fish Monitoring is conducted each Fall on Las Cienegas and San Pedro in order to track the status and trend of native fish populations as well as to check for presence of any invasive species. The intern will work with the BLM Fisheries Biologist on these monitoring efforts and will gain experience with monitoring equipment, techniques and native fish identification. 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. Because this site has attracted research partners from around the region, additional mentoring is available from three BLM staff biologists, an ecologist from The Nature Conservancy, and monitoring staff from the Sonoran Institute and the National Park Service. The intern will be working in the Sonoran Desert region in the summer and fall. Doing fieldwork in this unique mix of grassland, streams, and desert is a great experience but does pose challenges. Hazards which may be encountered include high temperatures, rugged terrain, summer monsoon thunderstorms and flooding, poisonous snakes and insects and illegal border activity. Daytime temperatures are regularly in the 90s and frequently exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The intern will receive orientation and safety training for work under these conditions. To apply, please email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
