Turtle Radio Telemetry Internship Job at The Wildlife Society in Virginia
The Wildlife Society, Virginia, MN, United States
Station : Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (T.R.E.E.S)
Location : 27.5 miles Hummingbird Highway, Stann Creek
Country : Belize, Central America
Open Period : Open on a rolling basis.
Description
Internships take place at the T.R.E.E.S Hosting Center, a research and education facility in the Maya Mountains of Belize. The center is operated by the Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (T.R.E.E.S), a small grassroots nonprofit dedicated to conserving Belize’s natural and cultural heritage through education, conservation, and research. We host interns to train international and local Belizean students in environmental and wildlife management, field research techniques, and data collection protocols, contributing to a greater understanding of Belize’s biodiversity.
The only resident turtle species at T.R.E.E.S is the White‑lipped Mud Turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum). This internship focuses on using radio telemetry to study the movements and habitat preferences of individual Mud Turtles. Nine turtles have been equipped with transmitters, and the intern will track them daily. A recent first‑recorded sighting of the Furrowed Wood Turtle (Rhinoclemmys areolata) was also fitted with a transmitter and incorporated into the study. The internship includes monitoring water levels to assess correlations between flooding and turtle movement.
Internship Responsibilities
Track tagged turtles across aquatic (streams and wetlands) and terrestrial (dense tropical jungle) environments daily.
Collect and log GPS coordinates, environmental conditions, and turtle behavior data during tracking sessions.
Set up a water monitoring station on the property’s creek and record water levels in streams to analyze correlations with turtle movement.
Document habitat characteristics at turtle locations, including water and substrate depth.
Assist in mapping turtle home ranges and movement patterns using GIS software or other visualization tools if the intern has the ability to use ArcGIS software.
Work independently and with researchers or fellow interns to conduct field studies efficiently.
Contribute to project reports by summarizing findings, analyzing trends, and discussing potential ecological implications; may have opportunity to collaborate on future publications.
Assist with creating captions for social media posts to engage followers and update them on station activities.
Engage with local communities or visitors to share insights about turtle conservation and research.
Internship Period
Interns can choose a minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 6 weeks, with 4 weeks recommended.
Costs
The internship fee is $289 USD per week, which includes room and board (meals Monday‑Friday), full access to lab equipment, and training by on‑site biologists. Food is not included; interns may purchase basic supplies from nearby vendors or order meals from the on‑site Toucan Café. Lodging is in shared rustic cabins with access to showers, restrooms, and a kitchen. The program encourages independent work after the initial training period.
Schedule
Interns are required to work a minimum of 35 hours per week, typically from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. Weekends are free. The supervisor will design a weekly schedule that balances project work and reasonable expectations. No refunds are available for early departure.
Qualifications
We seek interns who are independent yet collaborative in a team environment. This field‑intensive internship involves extensive outdoor data collection, often requiring long days in the field. Preference will be given to applicants with substantial field experience and proficiency in radio telemetry.
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Location : 27.5 miles Hummingbird Highway, Stann Creek
Country : Belize, Central America
Open Period : Open on a rolling basis.
Description
Internships take place at the T.R.E.E.S Hosting Center, a research and education facility in the Maya Mountains of Belize. The center is operated by the Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (T.R.E.E.S), a small grassroots nonprofit dedicated to conserving Belize’s natural and cultural heritage through education, conservation, and research. We host interns to train international and local Belizean students in environmental and wildlife management, field research techniques, and data collection protocols, contributing to a greater understanding of Belize’s biodiversity.
The only resident turtle species at T.R.E.E.S is the White‑lipped Mud Turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum). This internship focuses on using radio telemetry to study the movements and habitat preferences of individual Mud Turtles. Nine turtles have been equipped with transmitters, and the intern will track them daily. A recent first‑recorded sighting of the Furrowed Wood Turtle (Rhinoclemmys areolata) was also fitted with a transmitter and incorporated into the study. The internship includes monitoring water levels to assess correlations between flooding and turtle movement.
Internship Responsibilities
Track tagged turtles across aquatic (streams and wetlands) and terrestrial (dense tropical jungle) environments daily.
Collect and log GPS coordinates, environmental conditions, and turtle behavior data during tracking sessions.
Set up a water monitoring station on the property’s creek and record water levels in streams to analyze correlations with turtle movement.
Document habitat characteristics at turtle locations, including water and substrate depth.
Assist in mapping turtle home ranges and movement patterns using GIS software or other visualization tools if the intern has the ability to use ArcGIS software.
Work independently and with researchers or fellow interns to conduct field studies efficiently.
Contribute to project reports by summarizing findings, analyzing trends, and discussing potential ecological implications; may have opportunity to collaborate on future publications.
Assist with creating captions for social media posts to engage followers and update them on station activities.
Engage with local communities or visitors to share insights about turtle conservation and research.
Internship Period
Interns can choose a minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 6 weeks, with 4 weeks recommended.
Costs
The internship fee is $289 USD per week, which includes room and board (meals Monday‑Friday), full access to lab equipment, and training by on‑site biologists. Food is not included; interns may purchase basic supplies from nearby vendors or order meals from the on‑site Toucan Café. Lodging is in shared rustic cabins with access to showers, restrooms, and a kitchen. The program encourages independent work after the initial training period.
Schedule
Interns are required to work a minimum of 35 hours per week, typically from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. Weekends are free. The supervisor will design a weekly schedule that balances project work and reasonable expectations. No refunds are available for early departure.
Qualifications
We seek interns who are independent yet collaborative in a team environment. This field‑intensive internship involves extensive outdoor data collection, often requiring long days in the field. Preference will be given to applicants with substantial field experience and proficiency in radio telemetry.
#J-18808-Ljbffr