Internships
Research Internship for Undergraduates (81K PDF File)
Summer Biologist-Educator Internship
Research Internship (college graduates)
Past Intern Projects
Summer Biologist-Educator Internship
Description
Audubon California's 4000 acre Starr Ranch Sanctuary announces a summer education internship as part of our Starr Ranch Field Ecology Programs. Primary responsibility will be to assist instructors during our summer program for children, Starr Ranch Junior Biologists (SRJB), which emphasizes participation in ecological research. Kids participate in the scientific process through observation, exploration, and field research during a series of week long sessions. SRJB I kids explore native ecosystems and have fun with some of the techniques scientists use to study wildlife. In SRJB II, children participate in ecological research as they identify simple research questions. learn techniques for answering questions, and collect data. SRJB III is offered for older children, who camp at the Ranch and intensively study the animals and ecosystems introduced in SRJB II. Interns must also be willing to do the work necessary to support the summer kids programs: lead nature walks; purchase, design and construct instructional materials; and help with setup and clean-up. Interns might also be asked to help with other aspects of Ranch activities: maintenance, weed control, office work. The internship runs from early June through August.
Salary
$350 per week, plus housing and benefits
Qualifications
College graduates in biology or ecology, with a strong interest in integrating ecological research into education. The applicant must enjoy working with children.
To Apply
Send cover letter, resumé, and two letters of recommendation to Dr. Sandy DeSimone, 100 Bell Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679; fax (949)858-1013; sdesimone@audubon.org
Riparian Exotic Species Control & Restoration Internship
Description
Audubon's Starr Ranch Sanctuary in Trabuco Canyon, CA solicits applicants for positions (2) as riparian exotic species control and restoration interns. Our approach is research-based and non-chemical. Will initiate or continue, under guidance of a mentor, experiments that explore non-chemical control methods for top several exotic species identified during 2003-04 stream monitoring and mapping in our Bell Creek. Will write protocols, execute research, then write final report. Will also initiate experiments or observational studies on techniques for enhancing native stream vegetation. Will re-sample vegetation along monitoring transects. To make progress with exotic species removal, there will be a large component of physical weed removal. Enthusiasm for working outdoors. Opportunity to live on our 4000 acre Audubon sanctuary. Positions run for 8 - 10 months (TBD.)
Salary
$350 per week, plus housing (private rooms) and benefits.
Qualifications
College graduate with some ecological, biological, or conservation background who seeks independent project and other experience with riparian exotic control and native habitat enhancement.
To Apply
Send cover letter stating career goals, resumé, and two letters of recommendation to: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, (sdesimone@audubon.org) Director of Research and Education; 100 Bell Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679; (949) 858-0309; fax (949) 858-1013.
Past Intern Projects
2008. Exotic plant species mapping in Crow Canyon; Riparian enhancement trails; Vinca major removal and post-removal passive colonization monitoring. Fall – Spring. Janet Ackerman and Dan Breen. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
2007. Riparian exotic species monitoring protocol; Effects of Vinca major on erosion processes; Riparian enhancement trials; Vinca major removal and post-removal passive colonization monitoring; and Non-chemical control of Plantago lanceolata at Starr Ranch Sanctuary. Christy Cincotta and LuAnna Dobson. Fall-Spring. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
2006. Control of the exotic invasive Vinca major in the riparian corridor of Bell Creek at Starr Ranch Sanctuary. Aditi Shenoy. Fall-Spring. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
2006. Non-chemical control of Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus) at Starr Ranch Sanctuary. Brenna Vredveld. Fall-Spring. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
2003. A monitoring protocol and survey of exotic plant species for the riparian corridor of Bell Creek at Starr Ranch Sanctuary. Caroline Lee and Joanna Solis. Fall-Spring. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
1998. Reproductive biology of Cynara cardunculus. Natalie Reed.. Fall. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
1998. Habitat use of Western Scrub Jay during the fall at Starr Ranch. Laurie Walter. Fall. Mentor: Maria Diuk-Wasser, University of California, Los Angeles.
1998. An examination of coyote populations in interior and edge habitats at the National Audubon Society Starr Ranch Sanctuary, Orange County, CA. Adam Birken. Summer. Mentor: Kevin Crooks, University of California, Santa Cruz.
1998. Western Screech Owl (Otus kennicottii) survey of Crow Canyon, Starr Ranch Sanctuary, Orange County, California. Nicole Mahler. Summer. Mentor: Pete Bloom, Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology.
1998. A History of Starr Ranch Sanctuary (booklet and exhibit). Molly Blumer. Spring.
1998. Survey of California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) breeding territories at Starr Ranch Sanctuary. Alan Bate. Spring. Mentor: Robb Hirsch, California State University, Long Beach.
1998. Response of coyote (Canis latrans) to call playback method. Sherri Paul. Winter. Mentor: Kevin Crooks, University of California, Santa Cruz.
1998. Survey of anuran species in creeks and ephemeral pools, National Audubon Sanctuary Starr Ranch, California. Noelle Saint-Cyr. Winter. Mentor: Dr. Robert Fischer, San Diego State University.
1997. Soil seed banks, germination, and seedling survival of Cynara carduncuus L. Karen Laughlin. Fall. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
1997. Factors associated with grassland invasion by artichoke thistle. Andreas Reinhardt. Fall. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
1997. An analysis of proposed NCCP reserve design plans for Orange County, California, and their congruence with local mountain lion requirements. Marissa Codey. Summer.
1997. Color marking Phainopepla nitens with acrylic paint to increase visiblity in the field. Jenne Wonner. Summer. Mentor: Miyoko Chu, University of California, Berkeley.
1997. A nesting census of the red-shouldered hawks of Bell Canyon, Starr Ranch Sanctuary. Monique DiGiorgio. Spring. Mentor: Pete Bloom, Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology.
1997. The establishment of a study site and preliminary results on the effectiveness of mowing and soil solarization for controlling mature stands of Cynara cardunculus at Starr Ranch Audubon Sanctuary. Megan Lulow. Spring. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
1997. A comparison of soil nitrate-nitrogen between fields dominated by an exotic perennial weed (Cynara cardunculus) and fields dominated by a perennial bunchgrass (Nassella pulchra). Megan Lulow. Spring. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
1997. Stability of coastal sage scrub over a decade of fire and drought. Bill Webb. Spring. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
1996. The design and implementation of a monitoring program for Cynara cardunculus on the Starr Ranch Audubon Sanctuary Orange County, California. Ernest Clarke. Spring. Mentor: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
1996. Large mammal activity in interior vs. edge habitats at the National Audubon Society Starr Ranch Sacntuary, Orange County, California. Lisa Ishimine. Summer. Mentor: Dr. Tony Lynam, University of California, Riverside.
1996. Pollination of Datura wrightii. Margie Mayfield. Summer.
1996. Census of the western screech owl (Otus kennicottii) and environmental factors affecting their behavior within Bell Canyon of Starr Ranch Sanctuary. Ann Bergstrom. Fall. Mentor: Pete Bloom, Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology.
1996. Species abundance and richness of mammals in coastal sage scrub edge and interior habitat. Christopher Haas. Fall. Mentor: Dr. Tony Lynam, University of California, Riverside.
1994. A comparison of aquatic invertebrates in creeks at Audubon Societyys Starr Ranch. Kate Schafer. Summer.
1993. Vegetation mapping of Starr Ranch. Marc Rouleau, Sharon Coe. Spring.
1992. Starr Ranch breeding bird census (12 February - 10 May 1992). Roy Taylor. Spring.
1992. On the effects of age, nest position and begging on feeding success among Barn Owl (Tyto alba) nestlings. Kevin Pilz. Summer.
1992. A discussion on field research methods and behavioral observations of Barn Owls (Tyto alba) , by Kevin Pilz. Summer.
1991. Water quality monitoring program for Bell Creek. Charlotte Williamson. Winter.
