JRBP ('O'O) Summer Stewardship Intern Program

The Stewardship Intern Program is an opportunity for Stanford students to work at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ('Ootchamin 'Ooyakma) to further develop existing skills in ecology, natural history and field work, while learning about stewardship and research under the mentorship of a diverse team of scientists.

The two interns will join the team and work with Jasper Ridge staff, fellow interns, faculty and docents to support expanding stewardship efforts at JRBP for land management, protecting biodiversity, and developing resilience in response to climate change. The role will include a mix of field and office work. Field work responsibilities will include working outdoors in a team to collect data related to wildfire resiliency and watershed restoration. Data measurements and samples collected will include: diversity and abundance of vegetation in multiple native ecosystems (oak woodland, chaparral, and grasslands), characterizing vegetative fuels, soil and vegetation moisture, water samples, camera trap data, and animal burrows. Office responsibilities will include mentor-guided literature review and synthesis, data entry, mapping, brief presentations, and organization of field equipment.

Interns will learn to work with increased independence through the summer, gain experience working in a biological preserve setting, and develop an understanding of how research, education, and stewardship are interconnected. Interns will be encouraged to complete and present an independent project related to research, education, or stewardship under the mentorship of Jasper Ridge staff, faculty, and docents. Overall, the outcomes of this internship will directly support land management and stewardship efforts at Jasper Ridge, and interns may have the opportunity to continue their involvement in long-term research.

The Stewardship Interns are partially funded by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.