Loon Monitoring Internship Available

May 9, 2011

2011 Loon Monitoring and Community Outreach Internship

The Downeast Lakes Land Trust (DLLT) is a non-profit organization based in Grand Lake Stream, Maine, that owns a 33,708-acre community forest and has partnered with
others for the permanent conservation of 350,000 acres and 450 miles of undeveloped lake shoreline in Downeast Maine.

With funding from the North Cape Oil Spill Settlement Act and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in partnership with the Biodiversity Research Institute, DLLT has monitored
loon reproduction on 46 lakes Downeast, establishing a baseline set of information about loon habitat, population, and reproductive success.

In 2011, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Maine Audubon, DLLT proposes to gather data on loon reproduction on a subset of lakes and to establish a
volunteer network that can sustain an effort to monitor loon reproduction in the future.

LOON MONITORING AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH INTERNSHIP:
The Intern will be responsible for conducting fieldwork on the lakes in the project area (working with Registered Maine Guides); writing weekly summaries and a final report
based on methodologies developed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Biodiversity Research Institute, Maine Audubon, and the Downeast Lakes Land Trust.

The intern will receive training from a biologist and work with Registered Maine Guides, but will also be responsible for independent work. The intern will be responsible for submitting weekly data sheets to the DLLT supervisor. The DLLT intern will also be responsible for ensuring collecting GPS data, completing data entry and compilation, and drafting portions of a final report.

The Intern will assist with Community Outreach, including drafting material for websites, emails, or newsletters, working with local Guides, camp owners, and residents, and encouraging participation in volunteer loon monitoring.  The Intern will need to become familiar with Downeast Lakes Land Trust and interact with the public in a professional and courteous manner. The intern will also participate in Land Trust activities, including education programs, the annual picnic, and outreach at community events.

DATES: 10 to 12 weeks – early June through August
QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS NEEDED

• Must be self-motivated, with good skills in time-management and willingness to work cooperatively with others.
• Good observation skills are critical.
• Natural science or outdoor recreation major/degree preferred.
• Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills
• Canoeing and orienteering experience, with the ability to work in a
• wilderness environment
• Experience with GPS and data collection preferred
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Access, and Excel for production of weekly summaries and final reports

STIPEND: $350/week for 10 to 12 weeks
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Cover letter and resume
DEADLINE: Open until filled.
EMAIL TO: info@downeastlakes.org
Resumes must be submitted electronically