The Sharon Audubon Centeris a unit of the National Audubon Society located in northwestern Connecticut.Sharon Audubon’s intern program provides pre-professional training in conservation, education, and advocacy as practiced by a non-profit organization with a local focus plus national and international reach. Undergraduate or graduate students considering careers in wildlife conservation, environmental advocacy, and related fields are welcome to apply.
Conservation Internship 2024.
Duration 8-10 weeks between June 3 and August 9.
Primary mentors, Eileen Fielding [email protected] , Michael Dudek [email protected] , Bethany Sheffer [email protected] .
The scholar will assist with several hands-on aspects of bird conservation as practiced at the Sharon Audubon Center: maintaining and monitoring 12-15 American Kestrel nest boxes and assisting with banding Kestrel fledglings; maintaining and monitoring Eastern Bluebird boxes and Purple Martin nesting gourds; assisting with banding or tagging Purple Martins at Miles Wildlife Sanctuary; assisting with wildlife rehabilitation in the Sharon Audubon Rehab clinic; and assisting with bird habitat restoration projects in the field. After initial training, the scholar will be expected to perform duties independently (except for activities requiring a permit-holder present).
The scholar’s schedule will vary according to the needs and opportunities of each week, but the expectation is that overall, the scholar will spend approximately 25% of the time on the activities above; about 25% of the time learning about or participating in other projects such as the coastal bird conservation program, the shrubland habitat management program, the Healthy Forest Initiative, Audubon Americas, songbird banding, and the Motus tracking system; and up to 50% of the time planning and carrying out an independent project related to bird habitat, evaluating habitat restoration, or a similar topic to be determined.
Professional skills to be acquired will include field identification of forest bird species and proficiency with Merlin and eBird apps; if desired, technical expertise in evaluating and treating injured or orphaned birds; familiarity with migratory bird research techniques; and possibly use of GPS technology.
The intern should have their own vehicle for the duration of the internship; housing may be available.
Applicants should provide a cover letter, transcript and/or resume by March 15 to [email protected] .