Conservation Science Internship with The Wilderness Society 2018

Congratulations to EcologyPlus students, Edem K. Yevoo and Kerrin Heba Massarueh from University of Maryland, College Park, and Elijah Catalan from Howard University selected to participate in The Wilderness Society Conservation Science Internship. The opportunity began with a five-day trip to the Northern Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Park where students learned the basics of GIS and developed a plan for a research project under the mentorship of research scientist, Dr. Travis Belote and TWS experts. Students will use spatial data on human modification, canopy cover, and species richness to learn where are the wildest places around Washington, DC (Kerrin), who has access to wild places (Elijah)  and how human development impact natural areas in the future (Edem). Students will be collaborating remotely throughout the fall to complete their projects.  

Learn more about their experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skqS5AIyJQE

Check out each individual presentations delivered to TWS staff and friends on December 7, 2018:

Kerrin H. Massarueh – Where are the Wildest Parts of Washington DC?

Elijah Catalan – Access to wilderness in Washington, DC

Edem Yevoo – Impact of Urban Development in DC

Goals

This internship focused on an assessment of mapped data that can directly aid the conservation work of The Wilderness Society. Possible projects include assessing the global or national significance of a specific unit of public lands; evaluating the access of diverse people to public lands; quantifying benefits of public lands to people (e.g., watersheds of municipalities); or assessing connectivity priorities that could facilitate wildlife movement. Learn how geospatial science contributes to conserving America’s wildlands by focusing on a real-world issue facing policy-makers, land managers, and conservationists today.

  • Develop your own research project on an aspect of conservation science.
  • Learn how to work remotely in a team

Dates and Location

  • Five-day trip (including travel) in August or September 2018 to the Northern Rocky Mountains to visit iconic national parks (Yellowstone) and develop scope and plan for project – travel expenses paid
  • Complete your internship over 8 weeks remotely over the Fall semester from your home institution in the DC area.
  • Weekly team webinars to share progress
  • Presentation to The Wilderness Society staff and the broader conservation or land management agencies working in DC

Skills

  • Learn high-demand geographical information system (GIS) technology for conservation goals
  • Understand how scientific research is developed and disseminated
  • Select and review scientific literature and analyze datasets
  • Communicate science to multiple stakeholders

Mentor

Dr. Travis Belote, located in Bozeman, MT will host students during the trip to develop the project and provide training on use of GIS software, access to data, and conservation science.