Conservation Intern

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Conservation Intern to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962 NCC and its supporters have protected 15 million hectares (more than 35 million acres) of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

Purpose and General Description:

Are you passionate about conserving some of Manitoba’s most important natural spaces? Do you want to have a positive, lasting impact on nature? Are you looking for a well-rounded position to kick-start your conservation career with hands-on experience? We want to hear from you!

NCC is looking for a passionate person to join the Manitoba’s team as a Conservation Intern, playing an integral role in delivering core annual conservation activities in one or more of NCC Manitoba’s Natural Areas Tall Grass Prairie, Riding Mountain, Whitemouth River Watershed, Oak Lake Sandhills and Wetlands, West Souris Mixed-Grass Prairie, Souris River Valley Grassland, Lower Qu’Appelle – Assiniboine – Quill Lakes, Interlake, Lake of the Woods, and Assiniboine Delta. Conservation interns will be assigned a wide array of conservation experiences while liaising with NCC staff, volunteers, landowners, and partner organizations.
There are two streams to which candidates will be matched based on experience, skill, knowledge, and expressed interest:
1. Planning & Monitoring - workplans will be focused on biological surveys, property monitoring, data and literature review and synthesis, and reporting.
2. Stewardship - workplans focused on Property Management Plan Implementation, restoration, and Prescribed Fire Activities as part of the Prescribed Fire Crew.
All Interns should expect to support Outreach and Communications duties and have workplans adjusted to their abilities, career development goals, and NCC priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(positions may include all or a subset of the following):

Property Management Plan Implementation
• Complete land management tasks such as, but not limited to, removing invasive species, installing signage, site cleanup and refuse removal, interpretive site and trail maintenance, fence line maintenance, property inspections, vehicle/equipment maintenance, and other similar stewardship activities;
• Supporting contractors that work on fence line construction, building demolition, earthworks, etc. on NCC lands;
• Assist with administration and monitoring agricultural use agreements with local producers;
• Implement ecosystem restoration as guided by NCCs Property Management Plans and Multi-Species At Risk Plans, including grassland and riparian area restoration, woody encroachment control, invasive species management, and hydrological restoration. Assist with habitat restoration (i.e.: planting, watering, maintenance of tree planting sites, seed collection, site prep, weed management);
• Livestock and grassland management activities including installation and maintenance of fencing and other grazing infrastructure;

Prescribed Fire Activities as part of the Prescribed Fire Crew
• Perform burn unit and fire guard preparations, including brush mowing, chainsaw work, raking, handline construction, etc. Operate fire equipment during prescribed burns including ignition devices, 4WD trucks, ATV’s, UTV’s, portable pumps, pump engines, port-a-tanks, tractors, backpack blowers, brush cutters, chainsaws, hand tools, computer tablets, GPS units (members will receive prescribed fire training to Firefighter Type II)
• Maintain fire program equipment and tools; Complete fire effects documentation, and mapping.
Adaptive Management, Monitoring & Reporting
• Conduct surveys and assessments of the status of ecosystems and species on NCC sites and the effectiveness of conservation actions;
• Undertake fieldwork including biological data collection and threats monitoring on NCC properties (inventories of plants, animals, communities, physical features and anthropogenic influences), in all ecosystems (grassland, forest, wetland, etc.);
• Assists with annual Conservation Agreement Monitoring Program;
• Conducts site inspections on NCC’s properties, complete site inspection reports and submit relevant GIS data;
• Contributes to the development and updates of Property Management Plans and participate as a team member on relevant stewardship action teams;
• Prepare various map products as required for stewardship planning and reporting;
• Prepare reports for fieldwork and land management recommendations, perform data entry in NCC’s Land Resource Manager Information System and GIS databases;
• Conduct peer-reviewed literature searches and summaries

Outreach and Communications
• Photograph features as part of standardized documentation processes or for use in media;Create/write at least one article, video describing conservation topics or experiences incurred during this position for use on NCC media platforms;Assist with the coordination and delivery of public events, and Conservation Volunteer events as needed;
Other
• Monthly time and billing, personal expenses claims;Other duties as assigned as assigned by Ecological Restoration Program Coordinator, Natural Area Managers, Manager of Stewardship Programs, Conservation Science Manager, or Director of Conservation;