2008 Internship Project Descriptions
Land Trust for Central North Carolina
The LandTrust is a private, non-profit land conservation organization that works with private and public landowners to protect the special natural areas, family farms, historic properties, working forests, wildlife habitat, and rural landscapes in a 10-county region throughout the south-central Piedmont of North Carolina. At the current rate of development, future generations will not know the landscapes and rural character that make our region such a wonderful place to live. Protection of these special places results in cleaner air and water, abundant wildlife, healthier communities, and an overall higher quality of life.
www.landtrustcnc.org
Project Proposal 1:
GIS Analysis
Project Description: The intern will be assisting us with a variety of mapping initiatives, and there will also be a field component (ground truthing, trail work, etc.). Projects might include:
- Putting together a parcel analysis for the Uwharrie National Forest, including alternate routes that the Uwharrie Trail could extend through, and landowner contact information.
- Mapping how we can connect the Birkhead Wilderness Area with the northern portion of the Walker Creek area (significant aquatic area, additional disconnect Forest Service parcels).
- Targeting all private lands inholdings (parcels surrounded on at least 3 sides by the Uwharrie National Forest).
- Mapping existing Greenway opportunities in our 10 county region.
- Mapping Alcoa and Progress Energy’s landholdings, in relation to our protected properties and targets.
Responsibilities: Main duties will be using GIS to identify areas for strategic connection of USFS parcels, both for wildlife and habitat management and recreational purposes. Main project could include a prioritization of these parcels, or a GIS model to determine the best routes to connect USFS parcels through the least number of private landowners. The intern will also be able to work with our partners in these efforts, including USFS, NC Zoo, Natural Heritage, and NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
Expected Products: Ideally, the intern will produce a report with maps of the best routes for USFS or Greenway connection, prioritization of parcels for making these connections or filling inholdings, complete with landowner contact information.
Qualifications : Job requirements include extensive experience with GIS, particularly ArcView, a land management background, and strong written and verbal communication skills. The intern should be comfortable spending time outdoors in general. It is expected that the intern will spend some time actually walking and becoming familiar with the property. Familiarity with and passion for land conservation and ecology a plus. Knowledge of environmental law is also a plus.
Location: Location is flexible. Depending on project focus, the position could be based out of our Salisbury or Asheboro offices.
Supervisor:
Crystal Cockman , Uwharrie Conservation Specialist, 336-633-0143, Crystal@landtrustcnc.org
Michele d’Hemecourt, Land Protection Specialist, 704-647-0302, Michele@landtrustcnc.org
Additional Information: We will work with the student to ensure that a Masters Project can result from this internship. The staff will help the student find suitable, affordable housing. The LandTrust is eager to include the student in any professional meetings/conferences that staff will attend. The student will also have the opportunity to assist with daily activities, thus providing them a behind-the-scenes look at the world of non-profit management.
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Project Proposal 2:
Ecotourism and Planning
Project Description: The intern would be in charge of doing a cost-benefit analysis of recreation. The intern would also work with us, Central Park NC, a local bike shop (Middle Ring Cycles) and the International Mountain Biking Association on some of their downtown revitalization through human powered outdoor recreation efforts. This information will be used by our organization to educate local public policy officials of the important revenue that they will receive from making the Uwharrie National Forest a more cohesive and connected functional forest, and the integral role that recreation and conservation can play in economic revitalization in these small town areas.
Responsibilities: Main duties will be researching and compiling the cost-benefit analysis to show the value of recreational lands. The intern will also be able to work with our partners in these efforts, including USFS, NC Zoo, Natural Heritage, and NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
Expected Products: The end result should be the cost-benefit analysis, including a summary report of findings complete with tables and charts and pictures. The intern will also develop a PowerPoint presentation and/or maps and posters with findings that can be used to present to local officials and landowners.
Qualifications : Job requirements include extensive experience with GIS, particularly ArcView, and strong written and verbal communication skills. The student should also be comfortable spending time outdoors in general. It is desirable that the candidate have a growing knowledge of North Carolina flora and fauna or a willingness to learn. Familiarity with and a passion for land conservation and ecology, and decision analysis skills and local experience a plus.
Location: Location is flexible. Depending on project focus, the position could be based out of our Salisbury or Asheboro offices.
Supervisor:
Crystal Cockman , Uwharrie Conservation Specialist, 336-633-0143, Crystal@landtrustcnc.org
Michele d’Hemecourt, Land Protection Specialist, 704-647-0302, Michele@landtrustcnc.org
Additional Information: We will work with the student to ensure that a Masters Project can result from this internship. The staff will help the student find suitable, affordable housing. The LandTrust is eager to include the student in any professional meetings/conferences that staff will attend. The student will also have the opportunity to assist with daily activities, thus providing them a behind-the-scenes look at the world of non-profit management.
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Project Proposal 3:
Forest Management and Baseline Inventory
Project Description: The intern would help us with management plans on some of our properties, and also with Baseline Documentation Reports (biological and physical characteristics for each property we protect, including field work and GIS map-making). This is a requirement for each property we protect, and our organization utilizes these inventories and plans for further monitoring and management on these properties.
Responsibilities: Main duties will be assisting us with updating and completing our baseline reports of our properties and working on management plans. This will include biological inventory work, field work, mapping, and could also include invasive species identification, research on history, prescribed burn regimes or other suggested management objectives. The intern will also be able to work with our partners in these efforts, particularly the local Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and also USFS, Natural Heritage, and NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
Expected Products: Main end result will be the baseline reports for any properties that the intern is able to complete, as well as the management plans (however preliminary).
Qualifications : Job requirements include
excellent interpersonal skills, knowledge of public relations
research concerning conservation and some prior experience
in communicating with land owners and addressing their concerns.
Knowledge of conservation incentives programs would be very
beneficial. Experience with GIS, particularly ArcView is needed,
and strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.
It is desirable that the candidate have a growing knowledge
of North Carolina flora and fauna or a willingness to learn.
Candidate must be willing to work outdoors in challenging
conditions (eg. bugs, heat and thick vegetation). Familiarity
with and passion for land conservation and ecology, and local
experience is a plus.
Location: Location is flexible. Depending on project focus, the position could be based out of our Salisbury or Asheboro offices.
Supervisor:
Crystal Cockman , Uwharrie Conservation Specialist, 336-633-0143, Crystal@landtrustcnc.org
Michele d’Hemecourt, Land Protection Specialist, 704-647-0302, Michele@landtrustcnc.org
Additional Information: We will work with the student to ensure that a Masters Project can result from this internship. The staff will help the student find suitable, affordable housing. The LandTrust is eager to include the student in any professional meetings/conferences that staff will attend. The student will also have the opportunity to assist with daily activities, thus providing them a behind-the-scenes look at the world of non-profit management.
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