The Herbert J. Esther M. Atkinson Conservation Fellowship and the Lovejoy Conservation Fellowship

New England Wild Flower Society, the oldest native plant conservation organization in the United States, is a leader in regional plant conservation activities. The New England Plant Conservation Program (NEPCoP) and the Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV) Corps program engage professional and citizen volunteers in rare species monitoring, habitat management, invasive species monitoring and control initiatives, reintroduction and augmentation projects, and long-term conservation planning. The innovative and award-winning NEPCoP and PCV programs work closely with each state natural heritage program as well as conservation organizations in each state.

The Fellows are integral to these programs in a variety of ways, from coordinating volunteers and entering data to conducting botanical surveys, management projects, and other field actions.

Description

The Society employs two fellows each year. The Fellows assist in all aspects of administering the Society's conservation programs, including conducting training programs, retrieving data from the heritage programs, obtaining landowner permission for rare plant surveys, sending out volunteer assignments, and entering data. Additionally, the Fellows assist in the planning and implementation of restoration and management activities, invasive species initiatives, general floristic surveys, and PCV field trips to botanically interesting locations throughout the region.

Skills

Candidates should have some familiarity with the flora of New England and ecological processes, excellent speaking and writing skills, good phone skills, a willingness to call landowners, and a sense of humor. Fellows must respect and maintain the confidentiality of rare species locations. Additionally some long days in difficult situations (hot, buggy, and wet) are required.

Details

• Fellowships: full-time, six-month positions
• Starting date: flexible, as early as March 1, but no later than June 1
• Stipend: $240.00/week and housing is provided. Interns are covered by Worker’s Compensation, but the Society does not provide health insurance, vacation, or sick-time benefits. Benefits include various optional education classes.

Questions

Please email or call John Burns, Plant Conservation Volunteer Coordinator (508) 877-7630 ext. 3204

To Apply

Submit cover letter, resume, and reference list to:

John Burns

Plant Conservation Volunteer Coordinator

New England Wild Flower Society

180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA 01701

• Application Deadline: February 1 for current year's Fellowships