Non-Native Invasive Plant Control Intern

The Sandy Bottom Forest Wetland near Asheville, NC is a protected area containing federal- and state-listed (rare and threatened) salamanders and reptiles. Several non-native invasive plants occur there, which threaten to displace native species and harm the wetland ecosystem that supports the wildlife community. MountainTrue has inventoried the invasive plant populations and locations on the tract and past interns have begun implementing a management plan to control these invasions and restore the native ecosystem. This intern position will continue management during the summer of 2017 and implement control recommendations, along with advice and direction from the MountainTrue Ecologist.

Qualifications:

An advanced knowledge, interest, and/or education in environmental science, ecology, botany, zoology, or non-native invasive plants is desired. Students in environmental policy who are interested in performing intensive field work would also benefit from this internship. Experience with invasive plant control is a plus for this internship, but is not required. The Intern will be given such training by the MountainTrue Ecologist. They will be required to take the N.C. Department of Agriculture herbicide certification training as part of this internship and MountainTrue will cover the registration costs. Interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate well with others is important to this work. Experience with GIS mapping is not required, but would be a beneficial skill that could be useful to expand the overall scope of work and contributions to this project.

To Apply: Please send a resume, cover letter and, if available, contact information for a professor you have worked with in any applicable scientific field to Bob Gale at bob@mountaintrue.org with Subject Line: Non-Native Invasive Plant Control Internship.