Intern Needed For Turtle Studies (Lothian, Maryland)

The Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Lothian, Maryland, is accepting applications from university students to participate in a population ecology study of eastern box turtles. We have marked over 450 marked box turtles and we investigate population structure, habitat use, home range size, and diet. Radio telemetry is used to map home ranges. The intern will assist primarily with the box turtle study but will also help with other projects (herp surveys, MAPS bird netting, stream studies, etc.).  One intern position is currently available.

Applicants should enjoy fieldwork and long hours outside, sometimes under uncomfortable conditions.  A high degree of self-motivation is crucial. Mud, high humidity, thunderstorms, biting insects and poison ivy are part of the natural environment here, as are 40 species of reptiles and amphibians, and more than 250 bird species. River Otter, beaver, muskrat also occur here.

The intern will also complete an independent research project that is closely related to one of our on-going studies. An oral presentation and written report on this project are required at the end of the field season. The intern works under the supervision of the Sanctuary Director.

The Friends of Jug Bay, Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Anne Arundel County government provide funding for our research projects.

The Sanctuary is a 1,400 acre nature preserve and environmental education center on the tidal Patuxent River. We are a member of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Sanctuary is located about 15 miles east of Washington DC and 18 miles south of Annapolis. To learn more about the Sanctuary, visit www.jugbay.org.

Interns are responsible for finding their own living arrangements.

Stipend: The intern receives a $3,000 stipend provided by the Friends of Jug Bay, a citizens group that supports Sanctuary programs.

Project Dates: The intern position is for a 90-day period. The start date is May 15 and the completion date is August 15.

Work Schedule: Interns work at least five full days a week. Weekends and evenings are required on occasion.

Qualifications Applicants must be a junior, senior or recent graduate majoring in the life sciences or related field. Interns must be highly motivated, capable of independent work and must have a serious interest in learning about the natural world. Work is often in wet and muddy habitats. Experience in small boats, kayaks and canoes is a plus. Applicants should be physically fit and capable of walking in knee-deep mud.

Deadlines: Application materials must be received by March 30, 2004.

Application procedure: Send resume, cover letter (include summary of field experience, research experience, relevant coursework, and career goals), transcripts (need not be official) and names, email addresses and phone numbers of 3 professional references to:

Christopher Swarth at jugbay@toad.net

or by mail to:

Christopher Swarth/Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary/1361 Wrighton Rd., Lothian, MD 20711./For questions, call (410) 741-9330 or jugbay@toad.net