This paid 3-6 month internship will run from approximately September to January. The Restoration Intern would conduct various restoration-related activities, centered around reaching long-term goals outlined in the Audubon Conservation Ranching Program Habitat Management Plan for Bobcat Ranch. Goals include, but are not limited to: increasing riparian vegetation in key areas to benefit bird focal species, and reducing non-native invasive species grazing and other weed control methods. Restoration projects will contribute to Bobcat Ranch’s ability to serve as a demonstration site under Audubon’s Conservation Ranching Program, showcasing resilient and regenerative conservation ranching methods. The intern will gain technical restoration skills; an understanding of basic ranch management; increased understanding of rangeland and fire ecology; and outreach, engagement and volunteer management experience The position will be supervised by the Bobcat Ranch Manager and will interact with programmatic staff including the Conservation Ranching Program Manager and Director of Land and Water Conservation.
This position will be located at Bobcat Ranch, outside of Winters, CA.
Position Status: Part-time 1-2 days a week
Position Schedule: Tuesday – Thursday, occasional weekend days
Intern tasks may include:
- Monitoring current plantings, irrigating, removing cages/tubes
- Installation of new plantings, including caging, tubes, mulch
- Planning logistics around volunteer field days and tours
- Coordinating volunteer work days for restoration project(s)
- Setting up electric fencing around ponds in fall to protect plantings from cattle grazing
- Employing innovative techniques for habitat management and fire protection, including sheep grazing
- Setting up and monitoring of owl box(es), bird boxes
- Monitoring oak recruitment in priority locations on the ranch and actively working on oak establishment as part of the restoration project and in other ranch locations at the direction of the Bobcat Ranch Manager.
- Participating in tours and other special events, as appropriate
- Must possess excellent organizational skills, communication skills, and the ability to multi-task.
- Experience working with volunteers or other members of the public.
- Experience working outside in land management or restoration, preferred.
- Interest in the mission, values, and programs of the National Audubon Society.
- Demonstrated coursework or career path in conservation, ranching or related field.
- Ability to work outside in variable conditions and in rugged terrain.
- Self-directed, hard-worker.
- Experience operating basic machinery (mower, weed-whacker, etc.) and 4WD, preferred.