HOURS OF OPERATION
Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
(Gates close promptly at 5:00 p.m.)
Undergraduate/Graduate 2010 Summer Research Internship
Otter Point Creek Component
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Maryland
Background
The Otter Point Creek Alliance and the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland (Maryland Reserve) co-sponsor a summer research internship. Internships are open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students to conduct a summer research project within the Otter Point Creek Component of the Maryland Reserve. The Maryland Reserve is one of 25 Reserves throughout the country that serve as field laboratories for the betterment of coastal zone management through research, education, and stewardship.
Site Description
The Otter Point Creek Component is one of three sites that comprise the Maryland Reserve. It contains 704 acres of upland and riparian forest, tidal freshwater marshes, streams, creeks, submerged aquatic vegetation, and open water. Otter Point Creek is located in the tidal headwaters of the Bush River in Harford County, Maryland. Staff from the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center oversees all efforts and activities at Otter Point Creek. Students are encouraged to work with staff to coordinate the use of laboratories, field equipment, and other amenities (canoes, boats, storage space, etc.) in support of their research project. Students are also encouraged to incorporate education and volunteer opportunities, if applicable, in their research efforts.
Research Topics
Otter Point Creek is an ideal site for a broad range of research topics with a diversity of habitats (tidal freshwater marshes, SAV beds, and riparian and upland forests). Students can work with the Reserve's Research Coordinator, Park Naturalist and the Park Manager to develop their own research projects based on one of the following topics:
* Eastern Box Turtle Telemetry
* Beaver Habitat Sustainability Study
For more detailed information about the project, please contact the Park Manager, Shanna Jay, at 410-612-1688 or via email at srjay@harfordcountymd.gov.
Qualifications
Internships are open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who are capable of working independently with minimal supervision. Students should be self-motivated, have good communication and writing skills, and be comfortable working in physically challenging environments.
Application Requirements
Qualified applicants should submit the following:
1) a short proposal (less than three single spaced pages that includes a brief introduction, hypotheses, detailed methods, expected results, potential management implications, and references)
2) copies of unofficial transcripts
3) two letters of recommendation and
4) a one-page resume.
The successful applicant is expected to develop an expanded detailed proposal, conduct independent research, and provide a final report, public presentation and newsletter article for the Otter's Tale, about their project within one year of completing their project.
All applications must be received by April 30.
Financial Support
The Otter Point Creek Alliance will provide a stipend totaling $2,000 in four equal installments of $500. Final payment is made upon the receipt of the final report. In addition, the Chesapeake Bay Reserve will provide up to $500 for supplies and/or sample analysis. Interns should figure on working a minimum of 20 hours a week for a minimum of three months during the summer.
Send complete applications to:
Shanna Jay, Park Manager
Anita C. Leight Estuary Center
700 Otter Point Road
Abingdon, MD 21009
For more information contact:
Shanna Jay at 410-612-1688 or srjay@harfordcountymd.gov
Calendar of EventsView all
- Knee-High Adventures09/04/2010 @ 10:30 am-11:30 amLet’s go explore! We will be out and about on our Discovery Trail investigating nature with songs, games and sensory activities.
- Ants Go Marching One by One09/04/2010 @ 1:00 pm-2:00 pmAnts are everywhere we don’t want them to be. What attracts them and how do they know where they are going? Discover the wonderful world of ants!
- Children's Gardening09/04/2010 @ 3:00 pm-4:00 pmHave fun growing food and flowers here and at home. Enjoy crafts, games, and science disguised as fun, as you learn about seeds, life cycles, and growing food and flowers in a watershed-friendly way.
- Nature Tales09/05/2010 @ 3:30 pm-4:00 pmStory time with a nature twist! Come listen to some stories, learn new songs and move like the animals.
- The Finton Formula Fun Visiting Scientist Series09/10/2010 @ 4:30 pm-6:00 pmJoin us for exciting hands-on chemistry and environmental science fun, guided by guest scientists from the local community. Topics vary by month. Hurry! Space is limited.
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