Description:
This student internship is not on campus
Schedule: This will be dependent on the field biology supervisor scheduling days in the field.
Dates: 04-14-2021 - 05-16-2021
Agency: Conserve Southwest Utah
Location: St. George
Overview:
The Mojave desert tortoise (MDT) was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in 1990. Biologists estimate that there are 4,450 MDT in southwest Utah with more than half living in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and Desert Reserve. These 62,000 acres of land were set aside in 1996 to protect MDT habitat in exchange for allowing development to occur on 350,000 acres of surrounding land. MDT removed from construction sites have been translocated or re-homed in a new location. At some point in the future, a new translocation zone for MDT will be necessary to keep pace with rapid development in Washington County. Biologists are evaluating many options for MDT translocation sites and are seeking to learn more about the presence of MDT and suitable habitat throughout the county, including on the Shivwits Reservation. You can help to conserve this species by interning with Conserve Southwest Utah and partners in the Pika’aya Tooveep project.
The term of the job is approximately 4 weeks, part-time. Likely time period is mid-April – mid May which corresponds with the emergence of the MDT from brumation or winter dormancy. 20 hours/week at $15/hour.
Position Responsibilities:
- Interns will be in the field for 1-2 days per week for 5-8 hours per day including time to and from the field site. Care will be taken to accommodate student schedules, and weekend survey work will be an option.
- Interns will receive training on how to complete MDT surveys including transects, GPS, identification of MDT and sign (burrows, scat, tracks, shell remains, and eggs), and data collection.
- Interns will participate in MDT surveys with a team of trained surveyors and professional biologists. Social distancing at the work site will be maintained.
- Interns will walk transect lines over open country (sometimes rough and uneven) for 4 to 5-hour periods.
- Interns may be invited to participate in data entry, analysis, and report compilation pending funding.
- CSU will require a written report of your experience with the project and some collaboration with the ethnoscience intern.
Qualifications:
Must have independent transportation to and from the Shivwits reservation, approximately 10 miles west of downtown St. George
(transportation may be arranged for SUU students)