Intership
ALL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE UNPAID, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.
Research
Nature Seekers is moving towards a more science based direction in the next 5 years and with that, help is needed with collecting data for different projects they want to do. A maximum of 4 interns will be selected; with selection interns will help with the research. With the projects writing skills are needed because research papers will be written, drafted and sent to a committee to be reviewed and edited for a possible publication. There are two intern sections, reforestation and the turtle project. This program is unique and heavy with hands on activities, after training interns will be actually doing the work.
Turtle Programme
The nesting season for leatherbacks is from March 1st-August 31st with peak season in late May. Interns that are selected for the turtle projects will be placed with a project supervisor and patrol Matura beach at night looking for nesting females and assist with recording biometric data. This data will include tagging new females and recording returning females, recording caspase length (width and length), recording any damage to turtle, where she laid her nest and place pit tag if needed. Early May marks the beginning of the hatchling season and hatchling viewing is a possibility. On top of all turtle related duties and research, excavating nests to have hatchling success may become another duty. Morning surveys might become part of turtle duties with recording activity from the night at 6am. In the morning leatherbacks are looked for along the nesting beach as well as any hatchling activity, egg poaching, nest disturbance.
Reforestation Programme
Matura National Forest is a very unique protected tropical forest where it has some species that are found only in the amazon rainforest. Millions of years ago Trinidad was attached to South America giving Trinidad its wildlife and plant species. Fires are a big problem in this area during the dry season causing the forest to diminish quickly. About 50 acres a year are planted and managed. Hunting is allowed from October-February, and part of the internship for the reforestation project is to educate the hunters that are found. Nature walks and tours into the forest are also a big part of the internship. This forest is home to a lot of wildlife and research on this wildlife would be extremely beneficia
Nature Seekers prioritizes the health of the turtle, forest, education and data collection. With good data, good science can be conducted, without the good collected data the science wouldn’t not be considered robust enough to be used and therefore accreditation would be void. Being able to stick to the strict scientific guidelines is needed if participation within the internship leatherback program is wanted. This program also allows for exploration of the country while being here Trinidad and Tobago has a lot to offer.
- Opportunity to develop field skills and science analysis with leatherback sea turtles
- Experience conservation in another country
- If working with the reforestation program you’ll be help conserve the National park of Matura forest
- If working with the turtle project you’ll be helping conserve leatherback nesting sites
- Unique hands on training
- Ideal for those studying environmental sciences & conservation or those with a keen interest in permaculture, biological, ecological & sustainable development.
- Cultural emersion
- Working closely with experienced community members
- Develop public communication and education skills
- Undergrad or post grad
- Must be able to work independently and cooperatively
- Positive attitudes
- Willing to work long hours
- Good physical condition (a lot of walking on sand and heavy lifting.)
- Attention to detail and problem solving abilities
- Ability to learn quickly
- Passion for nature, learning and teaching
- Science background, and field skills
- Effective communicators
- Paper writing skills to have a published paper
- Leatherback Satellite Tracking
- Fly communities before emergence of hatchling
- Reproductive Output
- Erosion monitoring
