*Job Description**:* Highstead <http://highstead.net/>, a regional land conservation and ecological research center is accepting applications for one field ecology intern to participate in Highstead’s long-term research and monitoring program in the summer of 2017. Major projects include resampling the herbaceous layers of (1) 8 deer exclosure and paired control plots in disturbed (blowdown + salvage log) and undisturbed forest in southwestern CT; (2) 8 deer exclosure and paired control plots at the Harvard Forest Hemlock Removal Experiment in central Massachusetts. Additional projects will include (3) resampling wetland vegetation plots as part of a *Phragmites* removal project at Highstead and, time permitting, (4) a pilot study looking at the effects of beaver on riparian forest structure and composition. The intern will gain extensive experience with forest vegetation sampling techniques and woody and herbaceous plant identification. Positions will be predominantly field-based but will also include data entry, some herbarium work (mounting pressed specimens), limited data analysis, and preparing a 15-20 minute final presentation for Highstead staff. The internship will be based in Redding, Connecticut, but will include travel and overnight stays to conduct field work at the Harvard Forest in central Massachusetts.
*Qualifications:* Upper level undergraduate or recent graduate in botany, ecology, or related field. Applicants should have previous experience with field work. Successful applicants must (1) have a keen interest in the study and intensive identification of woody and herbaceous plants including grasses and sedges (2) be enthusiastic about conducting intensive fieldwork in hot, humid and sometimes rainy weather; in a landscape with deer ticks; and in forest understories with downed trees and thick, often spiny shrub layers (3) be very detail-oriented to collect careful and accurate data in challenging field conditions, collect and press unknown plant specimens, and enter data into a database; and (4) have the flexibility to adapt to several different research projects including some travel; and (5) have a positive can-do attitude. *Position Dates*: Monday, May 29 - Friday, August 11, 2017 *Stipend:* $5,000.00 and free furnished housing. *To apply*, please send a cover letter and resume (with relevant experience and contact information for three references) to jcolo...@highstead.net; *reference Ecology Intern Application as the email subject*. Accepting applications immediately. Review of applicants will begin in mid-February and continue until position is filled in March. -- *Jody Cologgi* Highstead 127 Lonetown Road Redding, CT 06875 (203) 938-8809 jcolo...@highstead.net
