The Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary has openings for two undergraduate university interns to help with on-going studies of Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternum subrubrum subrubrum) and Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) population ecology and habitat use. Seven turtle species inhabit the marshes and beaver ponds in our study area along the Patuxent River estuary in central Maryland. Mud and box turtles occupy both deciduous forests and freshwater tidal wetlands. Our studies investigate habitat use, daily movements, population density, sex ratio, and natural history. Our goal is to understand the functional role of turtles within their wetland and upland ecosystems. We use radio telemetry, hoop traps, kayaks, canoes, and small boats to track and locate turtles. Interns work under the supervision of Sanctuary Director Chris Swarth.
The Sanctuary is a 1,700 acre ecological field station and environmental education center in southern Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The Sanctuary is operated by the county parks department and is part of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. To learn more about the Sanctuary, visit www.jugbay.org. Qualifications Applicant must be a life science major at the junior or senior level (recent graduates are okay). Intern applicants should enjoy fieldwork and should be able to tolerate long hours in the field under hot, wet, and muddy conditions. Previous ecological field research is a plus. It helps to have a high degree of self-motivation. In addition to helping with turtle studies, interns help with bird banding, reptile surveys, fish seining, and water quality studies. Each intern will also carry out an independent research project on some aspect of turtle ecology. At the end of the field season in August, interns give an oral presentation and prepare a written report on their independent project. Work schedule May 10 to August 15. An earlier state date may be okay. Interns work 5 days/week. Occasional weekend and evening work is required. Housing We do not have on-site housing. Interns will need to find their own housing. The Sanctuary is 18 miles south of Annapolis and 15 miles east of Washington, DC. Stipend Award: $3,600. The Friends of Jug Bay, a non-profit citizen's organization, provides the Jug Bay Fellowship monetary award (stipend) which supports each intern. Additional funding comes from the Anne Arundel County government and the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Application Procedure Please send a cover letter with statement of goals and explain why you want the position; a resume summarizing your education and work experience; transcripts (need not be "official"); and the names and email addresses of 3 references. Applications must be received by March 30. Send application materials to cswa...@jugbay.org or by mail to: Chris Swarth Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary 1361 Wrighton. Rd. Lothian, MD 20711
