Mrgp wildlife Technician Program

www.mianus.org 167 Mianus River Road Bedford, NY 10506 914-234-3455

MRGP Wildlife Technician Program
Dear Student,
Growing up in Brooklyn I always knew – perhaps unusually – that I wanted to work “with nature.” If that sounds vague, it should be. In high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to be. More importantly, I didn’t know what opportunities were available.
If you find yourself toying with the idea of an environmental career, I encourage you to consider joining our Wildlife Technician Program (WTP). Each year, three high school students are chosen from throughout the county and NYC to work at the Mianus River Gorge Preserve (MRGP) on ecological problems facing suburban and urban ecosystems. Forests that once stretched relatively uninterrupted throughout our region are now relegated to small fragments. What changes once the forest becomes an island in a sea of human development? What can conservationists and managers do to protect the integrity of these areas and protect its wild inhabitants?
As a Wildlife Tech at the MRGP, you will work closely with staff wildlife ecologists and graduate students to complete a multi-year research project aimed at a real-world problem. Not only will you learn to think creatively, but you will be exposed to the same techniques that are used by field biologists throughout the world. In addition, our student projects have been recognized in both state and national competitions. Some of our students have also been published in scientific journals.
Over the past three years, we have initiated several new and exciting projects. We plan to add a few new ones this year for our incoming class. Check out our website and Facebook page to learn more.
Sincerely,
Mark Weckel, Ph.D.

Director of Research and Land Management

MRGP Wildlife Technician Program

Application Deadline: November 1, 2012
Program Description
The Mianus River Gorge Preserve Wildlife Technician Program (WTP) provides research opportunities to high school students in the fields of ecology, conservation biology, and land management.

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  Wildlife Technicians (Techs) assist on various research projects while concentrating on designing and conducting their own multi-year study.
  
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  Techs are mentored by MRGP staff and / or graduate students where they are exposed to experimental design and field techniques through non-traditional, hands-on experience.
  
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  Techs receive additional experience in wildlife ecology by assisting with graduate-level projects being conducted at the Gorge.
  

Applicant Eligibility

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  High school sophomores enrolled in a multi-year research course.
  
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  No GPA requirements.
  
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  No work experience required.
  
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  An interest in working in the sciences in an outdoor setting.
  

Program Benefits

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  Students will be exposed to a several fields of study and will learn the different ways scientists conduct research.
  
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  Students are encouraged to submit their findings to conferences and scholarly publications.
  
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  Third year techs will hone their leadership skills by working as Field Leaders and will help teach incoming students the techniques they have learned.
  
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  Through their research, students will contribute to the better understanding of how we manage suburban wildlife preserves. Their results will be applicable to preserves throughout the country.
  

Upcoming Research Opportunities in 2013

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  Ecology of invasive earthworms.
  
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  Nutrient cycling in disturbed soils.
  
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  Water quality and nutrient transport in forest streams.
  
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  Students with their own land or water management-related research interests are encouraged to apply.
  

All information and applications are available at www.mianus.org. Completed applications can be mailed to MRGP or e-mailed to [e-mail]. If you have any questions, please call us (914-234-3455) or send us an email ([e-mail]).

MRGP Wildlife Technician Program Application Deadline: November 1, 2012
High school:
Address:
Student:			Phone:
Address:			Fax:
E-mail:
Supervising Teacher:			Phone:
Address:			Fax:
E-mail:
Student Work Experience (Please list all paid work, internships, and volunteer positions)
Position	Dates	Duties or Responsibilities
Student Essay: If you could study anything in the world, what would it be? In a short essay (<500 words) describe the scientific study of your dreams. What plant, animal, fungi, or ecosystem would you most like to study? Why are you interested in this creature or ecosystem? What do you want to find out about it? How would you design your study to learn more? What challenges would you face? Be creative. All essays must be typed. Attach essay to application.
Attach 1 letter of recommendation
Student Signature:			Date:
Supervising Teacher Signature:			Date: