South Florida Land Conservation Intern

Expected Dates

August 6, 2018 to August 3, 2019

Site

The Nature Conservancy Blowing Rocks Preserve

Position ID

PO-00726402

Based out of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC’s) Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound, Florida, the South Florida Land Conservation Intern (intern) will develop a variety of skills relating to natural resource management and TNC’s mission; “to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.”  Blowing Rocks Preserve is a 73-acre protected area located on a barrier island on the southeast coast of Florida. It is open to the public and hosts more than 50,000 visitors each year. Natural features at the preserve include maritime hammock, coastal strand, beach dune, coastal scrub, mangrove swamp, the Indian River Lagoon shoreline and Atlantic Ocean, Anastasia limestone rock formation outcroppings, and Sabellariid reefs. 
 
The intern will participate in habitat management work at Blowing Rocks Preserve and on other TNC-owned and partners’ lands and will conduct activities such as invasive species control, native plant propagation and planting, wildland fire management and applied conservation science. Other stewardship responsibilities will include assisting with habitat and species mapping and monitoring, water quality monitoring, sea turtle rescue, data management, and other natural resource management activities. Preserve landscape maintenance duties will include mowing, trimming, and trail maintenance. 

Preferred skills include basic carpentry, painting, plumbing and mechanical skill to perform light facilities and equipment maintenance as needed. The intern will be expected to participate in daily preserve operations, including opening and closing of the preserve, collecting and sorting trash and recycling, and public restroom upkeep. The intern will also assist with visitor management and public education and outreach including working with volunteers, school children, and other groups on a variety of projects such as shoreline cleanups, stewardship workdays, answering visitor questions, leading guided nature tours, and assisting with other educational and interpretive programming. The intern will receive training for the use of ATV, UTV, truck, tractor, landscaping equipment, and computer programs such as ARCMap/GIS. The intern will be expected to possess or obtain certifications for First Aid/CPR/AED and Type II Wildland Firefighter if the training is available in the area. Additional objectives may be developed based on the intern’s personal interests and/or skills.  The intern will develop and complete a project related to their position and present their work at the completion of their internship. 
 
Days of work:  Sunday- Thursday, 8:30am-5 pm
 

• Location Description

  Blowing Rocks Preserve, Hobe Sound, FL 33455. Blowing Rocks Preserve is a 73-acre protected area located on a barrier island on the southeast coast of Florida.

• Training Provided

  First Aid/CPR/AED, Wildland Firefighter, ARCMAP/GIS, plant identification, herbicide application, land stewardship, education and outreach.

• Educational/Recreational Opportunities

  Blowing Rocks Preserve is in close proximity to many other conservation areas and nature centers, and is connected to the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean. Kayaking, paddle-boarding, snorkeling, scuba, birdwatching, fishing and more.

• Handicap Accessible?

  Yes

Main Area of Focus

Natural Resources Mgmt

Education, Training & Skills Expected

Biology

some coursework or experience

Ecology & Restoration

some coursework or experience

Resource Management

some coursework or experience

Bird Identification

some experience

Data Entry

some experience

GPS

some experience

Photography

some experience

Trail Maintenance

some experience