Wildlife Intern
Volunteer Position
Huron-Manistee National Forests
Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District
Baldwin, Michigan
The Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forests is currently seeking three wildlife interns this summer to assist with various wildlife and vegetative surveys. Interns work as a member of a survey team to: 1) inventory endangered, threatened, and sensitive wildlife species; 2) assess habitat suitability for various wildlife species; 3) conduct counts to estimate abundance of Karner blue butterflies, a federally listed endangered species, within designated management areas; 4) conduct vegetative surveys to estimate acreage of suitable Karner blue butterfly habitat within designated management areas; 5) conduct vegetative surveys to assess the effectiveness of different management treatments for restoring savannas; 7) identify management concerns for use in developing management plans; and 8) layout and implement habitat improvement projects. The data collected will be used by professional staff to develop management plans and conservation measures. Interns also assist with wildlife management activities, complete detailed field reports, enter data into various databases, and participate in outreach activities to educate the public about wildlife conservation issues. They also have the option to complete an independent project to help inform future management decisions. The survey crew works mid-May to mid-August weekdays between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm. Interns working full-time receive a daily stipend and housing. Part-time schedules are also available (e.g., 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, two days a week).
The Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District has an active wildlife, botany, and fisheries program and has good working relationships with many partners interested in managing the Forest for game species and non-game species, including the federally listed Karner blue butterfly. Baldwin is located in the northwest portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in Lake County close to the shores of Lake Michigan. Baldwin has a population of approximately 930 people and is centrally located between the communities of Big Rapids, Reed City, White Cloud, Fremont and Ludington. The area abounds with four season outdoor recreation opportunities, including the Pere Marquette Wild and Scenic River. For more information on the Baldwin area, please visit the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at www.lakecountymichigan.com.
If you are interested in becoming a wildlife intern, please send your resume along with a proposed work schedule to Heather Keough at hkeough@fs.fed.us.
