2016 Internship Program: Training the Next Generation of Conservation Scientists

by Morgan Harris, Associate Conservation Biologist

Wild South is starting a new, exciting chapter with the introduction of our Conservation Science Program focused on preserving biodiversity in the South. This program is a collaboration between Wild South’s new Associate Conservation Biologist, Morgan Harris, and Dr. JJ Apodaca, Wild South’s Chief Conservation Scientist and professor at Warren Wilson College. They will be joined by eleven interns this summer from Warren Wilson College, UNC Asheville, and Duke University to conduct scientific research that is critical to saving our lands and wildlife.

This talented team of interns will be working on a multitude of research projects including rare and common species surveys in Big Ivy, monitoring of bog turtle populations and movement, monitoring and recovery of hellbender populations using artificial breeding habitat, invasive plant and hemlock woolly adelgid surveys in the Linville Gorge, monitoring habitat usage of green and crevice salamanders in the Hickory Nut Gorge, and working with the Southern Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative to map existing spruce stands and help restore active habitat corridors. Wild South will be guiding these interns through active conservation research and training them to be advocates for the wilderness.

These projects are designed to use scientific research to influence policy and to guide conservation. The Conservation Science Program is expanding the conservation vision of Wild South by using data to understand how we should manage our land and water resources with the goal of preserving biodiversity.

Wild South’s internship program is made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors. To support the program, please click here to make a donation today.