Deadline: 31 Jan 2020
Native Plant Trust is the nation’s first plant conservation organization and the only one solely focused on New England’s native plants. We save native plants in the wild, grow them for gardens and restorations, and educate others on their value and use. We are based at Garden in the Woods, a renowned native plant botanic garden that attracts visitors from all over the world. From this flagship property in Framingham, Massachusetts, 25 staff and many of our 1,500 trained volunteers work throughout New England each year to monitor and protect rare and endangered plants, collect and preserve seeds to ensure biological diversity, detect and control invasive species, conduct research, and offer a range of educational programs. Native Plant Trust also operates a nursery at Nasami Farm in western Massachusetts and manages six sanctuaries in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont that are open to the public. Native Plant Trust is among the first organizations worldwide to receive Advanced Conservation Practitioner accreditation by London-based Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), which included an endorsement by an International Advisory Council representing six continents. Please visit www.NativePlantTrust.org.
Two of Native Plant Trust’s core initiatives – the New England Plant Conservation Program (NEPCoP) and the Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV) program – engage professional and community volunteers in rare species monitoring, habitat management, invasive species monitoring and control, reintroduction and augmentation projects, and long-term conservation planning. We work closely with Natural Heritage programs and with conservation organizations in all six New England states.
The two internships offer a range of learning opportunities in areas that are integral to these programs, from coordinating with landowners and volunteers to conducting botanical surveys and processing data. Interns also work with conservation staff to create an education plan and complete an independent project on a topic based on their interests in the field of botany. In addition, interns have the opportunity to take Native Plant Trust’s educational programs and courses at no cost.
Description:
Native Plant Trust is offering two 25-week internships for the 2020 season. Accepted applicants will have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the organization’s conservation programs while assisting staff in obtaining landowner permission for rare plant surveys, sending out volunteer assignments, retrieving and processing data, and participating in botanically interesting field trips throughout the region. Additionally, interns are involved in seasonal contract work which may include the planning and implementation of habitat restoration and management activities, invasive species initiatives, species monitoring, and floristic surveys. Interns can expect to spend a majority of their time in the office with roughly one or two days per week spent in the field.
Desired Skills:
Candidates should be passionate about plant conservation, have some familiarity with the flora of New England and ecological systems, excellent speaking and writing skills, a willingness to call landowners to secure access to their property, and a sense of humor. Experience with survey data and data management is preferred. Interns must respect and maintain the confidentiality of rare species locations. Some long days in difficult situations (hot, buggy, and wet) are required. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license to operate work vehicles. Native Plant Trust is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
Details:
Internships: 2 full-time, 25-week positions
Starting date: April 6
Location: Based at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA
Hours and Compensation: 40 hours/week at $12.75/hour. Conservation interns have the option of renting a room for the duration of the internship, in a newly renovated house steps away from the Garden, for $300/month. This includes all utilities except internet and phone.
To Apply:
Submit cover letter, resume, and reference list by email to:
Micah Jasny
Botanical Coordinator
Native Plant Trust
mjasny@NativePlantTrust.org
Application Deadline: 31 January 2020 for current year's internships.