Research Assistant Intern: Conservation Biology

, Iowa

Internship Length: 45 hrs
Office Hours: 8:00-5:00 M-F

TITLE:

Conservation biology of threatened monarch butterflies in tallgrass prairies

PROJECT:

We are monitoring monarch populations and the milkweeds they depend on in the tallgrass prairies in and around Mount Vernon to support the conservation management of this threatened species. Our methods include:

· line transect sampling of milkweed plants to measure the density of milkweeds in each prairie

· identifying, mapping, and labeling milkweed plants to formal a representative sample in each prairie

· surveying the sample milkweed plants 2-3 times per week for monarch activity

· for each plant, record the number of leaves and plant height on every visit and any crescent-shaped pieces removed from the leaf

· at each plant, identify and record all eggs, caterpillars (including caterpillar size and life stage), and frass (including frass size)

· keep up data sheets and transfer all data to an excel spreadsheet for analysis

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS:

· Must be interested in ecology and conservation biology

· Must be dependable

· Should be flexible (work hours are negotiable)

· Must be able to spend hours outside in a prairie in fairly rugged conditions

· Able to follow instructions and take direction

· Able to work independently but ask questions when needed

· Strong organizational and communication skills

· Attention to detail

· Professional and respectful demeanor

· Mature attitude

· 45-hour Summer internship only, June through mid-July

THIS DESCRIPTION DOES NOT LIST ALL DUTIES. INTERN MAY BE ASKED TO PERFORM OTHER DUTIES BY THE STAFF OR SUPERVISOR. INTERN WILL BE EVALUATED ON PERFORMANCE OF THE PROJECTS LISTED AS WELL AS INTERACTION WITH EMPLOYEES AND CLIENTS. ON-SITE HOURS WILL BE NEGOTIATED WITH EACH CANDIDATE.

SAFETY EXPECTATIONS, INCLUDING HARASSMENT, SHOULD BE REVIEWED WITH THE HOST.

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