Intern//Downstate MI//Fieldwork and Some Policy

[Christopher Hohnholt <cahohnho@xxxxxxx>]

This looks really good.

Chris Hohnholt
School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science
Michigan Technological University
906 487-2417
forest.mtu.edu

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT 

  

Title: Forest Management Feasibility Study Intern 

  

Date Open:    January 15, 2009 

  

Date Closed:   March 1, 2009 

  

Status: Eight week summer internship (exact dates can be flexible) with Little Traverse Conservancy. 

  

Compensation: $10 per hour.   Mileage will paid for all work-related travel (current mileage rate = $0.585/mile) 

  

Job Description:   

Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC) is local nonprofit land trust working to protect natural and scenic lands throughout Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, and Mackinac Counties, Michigan.   There has been some interest expressed by both Staff and Board members about expanding forest management on some LTC preserves.   As such, we wish to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and compatibility with our mission and goals for conducting forest management activities on selected naturally forested lands on our nearly 12,000 acres of nature preserves.   The job will be a mix of field-oriented and office work, with the following basic components: 

  

1.   Research what is being done by other land trusts, or on other types of protected natural areas. 

  

2.   Conduct an organizational stakeholder opinion survey. 

  

3.   Develop basic criteria for identifying Preserves where forest management could, should, or should not occur (e.g. minimum size, accessibility, surrounding development patterns, recreation use conflicts, forest type, presence of sensitive features, undesirable consequences, compatibility with donor wishes or other restrictions, etc.). 

  

4.   Work with staff to identify and prioritize goals of forest management (such as promoting old growth characteristics, wildlife habitat improvement, aesthetics, biodiversity, sustainable timber production, revenue generation, etc.). 

  

5.   Review general characteristics of LTC Preserves to identify those that meet the criteria and goals, and are thus candidates for forest management. 

  

6.   From the subset of preserves identified in #5, further inventory the forest resources (covertype, tree size, stocking density, other features).   This would identify those preserves which may be suited for forest management activities. 

  

7.   Work with staff to develop a draft LTC policy regarding forest management activities for Board review and approval. 

  





  Desirable skills, etc.: 

    • An interest in, and knowledge of, natural resources and conservation 
    • Majoring in, or a degree in,   forestry, forest ecology, or related natural resource fields 
    • Comfort and competence in working alone in remote wooded areas 
    • Good organizational, observational, map reading, written, verbal, and interpersonal skills 
    • Strong attention to detail 
    • Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team 
    • A reliable vehicle 
    • Experience with independent research projects 




To Apply: 

Please send resume and cover letter to Doug Fuller, Director of Stewardship ( doug@xxxxxxxxxxxxx .)