Revegetation Field Research Internship

Revegetation Field Research Internship Description:

PD is looking for a self-motivated individual to lead research initiatives relating to our native tree Revegetation Project in Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador.

About Planet Drum Ecuador:

Planet Drum (PD) is a San Francisco, California based organization founded on promoting bioregional principles. Founder Peter Berg was invited to work on ecological issues with the city of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador in 1999. Since then PD has developed field projects and collaborated with the local government to create Bahía Eco-Ciudad. PD has a long-term 'Revegetation Project' and has worked extensively with Bioregional Education in schools and communities. For more information about the history of PD projects in Ecuador, please read: 'Planet Drum Info and History, 2012.' Interns are being recruited to assist with the evolution of PD's field projects in order to further the scope and impact the projects have on restoring the local ecosystems and raising grass-roots bioregional awareness.

Revegetation Field Research Internship Responsibilities:

• Research issues relating to PD's native tree Revegetation Project including, but not limited to:
  • Rates of survival of transplanted trees
  • Rates of animal reinhabitation at our revegetation sites
  • Mapping revegetation sites
  • Research and catalog information about the native plant species we use for revegetation.
  • Work alongside volunteers in the greenhouse and at revegetation sites with the PD native tree Revegetation Project.
  • Develop strategies for improving our revegetation techniques.
  • Synthesize information learned throughout the research process in field reports.
  • Other ideas of subjects to research are welcomed.

Revegetation Field Research Internship Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, currently working toward degree, or equivalent work experience in related field.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and self-direct projects.
• Demonstrated interest in environmental conservation issues.
• Previous experience in scientific research and writing.
• Previous travel abroad experience, particularly in developing countries.
• Must be comfortable with living in PD's communally operated volunteer household.
• Spanish language skills are not required for the position but some degree of Spanish language ability is highly recommended for daily life in Ecuador.

Internship Position Commitment:

At minimum, the internship positions require a 3-month long commitment. Preference will be given to applicants interested in longer stays. A special tourist visa is required for stays longer than 90 days. It is highly recommend that you look into the visa application process before making travel plans.

Costs:

PD is a very low-budget non-profit organization. We do not charge interns to come and work. However, interns are responsible for paying for their own travel expenses, including arrival to Bahia and daily bus rides to and from planting sites and the green house (one-way on city bus costs only 25 cents).

Rent for the communal living house ($25/mo.) is waived for PD interns. Interns can expect to pay about $10-15 a week for communal dinners, drinking water, toilet paper, etc. Interns are responsible for providing their own breakfast, lunch and snacks.

About the House and Town:

The apartment is large and can hold up to 6 volunteers at a time. There are 3 bedrooms (2 communal for volunteers and one private for the field projects manager, his wife and young child), 2 bathrooms, kitchen, and a large communal living space.

It is located in the center of Bahia on the second floor with lots of windows that provide a nice breeze to combat the warm climate. The local market is 2 blocks from the house. The river is 2 blocks away and the ocean about 5 blocks away.

Other Internship Information:

Planet Drum is proud to offer two other internship positions:

• Volunteer Coordinator Internship
• Revegetation Field Research Internship

Planet Drum encourages interns to pursue receiving university credit and scholarships for the work they do and is willing to assist with any related paperwork.