Nature Travel Specialists
nature tours & travel, wildlife tours, adventure
travel and general travel to Australia, Southeast Asia, South America
and Alaska
Alaska Wildlife Volunteer & Research TravelAlaska PH.D. ASSISTANTSHIP in shorebird ecology at University of Alaska, Fairbanks. I am seeking a self-motivated and experienced doctoral student to conduct research on spatial and temporal use of lagoons by postbreeding shorebirds on Alaska’s North Slope. Research will involve living at a remote, tent-based field camp from mid-Jul through early Sep over 3 years. Fieldwork will involve capturing and marking birds (color bands and VHF telemetry) to quantify movements and determine tenure times, collecting and analyzing invertebrate food samples, and examining spatial and temporal habitat preferences. The candidate must demonstrate a strong work ethic, ability to work independently, and ability to live in a remote camp in seriously inclement weather. Research experience with capturing, handling, tracking, and identifying shorebirds is preferred. Experience working in an arctic environment is highly desirable. Good organizational ability and verbal/written communication skills are essential. An M.S. in Biology/Wildlife Science is required. The project will entail significant collaboration with agency biologists to accomplish shared fieldwork and project goals. A Ph.D. stipend, plus tuition and fees will be provided for 2+ years; additional funding may be available. Starting date is Sep 2008; preliminary fieldwork this coming summer is a possibility. To apply, please send an email that includes a letter stating career goals, resume, scanned copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for three references to DR. ABBY POWELL, Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 99775-7020 (EM: ffanp AT uaf.edu). ASSISTANT AVICULTURIST – AMERICORPS POSITION – The Alaska SeaLife Center, a non-profit organization located in Seward, Alaska is currently recruiting for an Assistant Aviculturist. This full time, 11 month position is hosted through the AmeriCorps. The AmeriCorps Member will participate in daily avian husbandry and educational activities at the Alaska SeaLife Center and work along side our Avian Husbandry staff throughout their term. Creation of educational presentations for the purpose of community outreach will be strongly encouraged. Members will also be involved in community service projects at least once a month to fulfill AmeriCorps requirements. The AmeriCorps Member will participate in daily animal diet preparations, routine cleanings, and water quality testing of both the exhibit and research birds housed at the Alaska SeaLife Center. The Member will make daily observations and notes of health and condition of the exhibit and research birds – noting changes in behavior and appearance. Daily educational talks and tours to the general public and periodically VIP tours will be given by the AmeriCorps Member. The Member will be encouraged to create materials related to those talks and tours, including but not limited to posters, PowerPoint Presentations and pamphlets to facilitate the educational talks. The Member will also assist the avian staff in current research projects and data collection associated with those projects, while maintaining written and computer records. As part of our team, the Member will also help with improvements to habitats and enrichment programs and will learn and assist in training and preparing birds for the visitor experience programs. Requirements: The Member must be a team player who has some college, although college graduates are preferred. Must have good oral and written skills, be able to follow written and oral instructions and be able to lift 50 pounds. Computer and public speaking skills are strongly encouraged. Must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Applicants should be committed to the goals and mission of the Alaska SeaLife Center and the AmeriCorps and should also have an interest and/or background in Education. Strong interest or experience in birds, husbandry techniques or research preferred. Applicants with previous animal training experience, especially with birds, preferred although not required. This position begins 4 Sep 2008 and ends 4 Aug 2009. Application deadline date is 31 Jul 2008. To apply visit the volunteer page on the Alaska SeaLife Center website (URL: http://www.alaskasealife.org) and follow the link to the AmeriCorps website. For more information please contact (EM: connections AT servealaska.org or call 907-790-2072). WHITE-WINGED AND SURF SCOTER MOULTING ECOLOGY in southeast Alaska:
One VOLUNTEER FIELD ASSISTANTS (2) needed between about 20 Jul and 20
Sep FIELD ASSISTANTS (2) needed to search for nests and hand-raise Black-capped
Chickadees. One assistant needed in Kansas from approximately 1 Apr
– 31 May 2009; the other needed in Alaska from 15 Apr –
15 Jun 2009. Exact dates are somewhat negotiable and dependent upon
the timing of chickadee reproduction. The work entails: 1) nest searching,
2) nest monitoring, and 3) hand-raising chicks. Applicant SURF SCOTER VOLUNTEER RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (2) needed from Nov 2008
– Apr 2009, to help with a study investigating the population
delineation and wintering ecology of Surf Scoters in Southeast Alaska.
Research assistants will aid with trapping, handling, and radio-marking
of scoters, in addition to extensive monitoring of marked scoters
from boats and trucks using radio telemetry equipment; volunteers
may also assist with scoter age and sex ratio surveys. The project
will be stationed out of Juneau, Alaska. Ideal applicants will have
a strong interest in seaduck ecology and field biology, ample boating
experience, meticulous data collection habits, a valid driver’s
license, bird handling experience, and must be comfortable with and
willing to work long hours in potential extreme wet and cold weather
conditions.
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