-----Original Message-----
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Chris Swarth
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 5:29 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Interns needed for freshwater turtle studies

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 [log in to unmask] 
or by mail to:
Chris Swarth
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
1361 Wrighton. Rd.
Lothian, MD 20711