Grassland Ecology Internship

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is offering several internship opportunities to participate in the third year of the Inter-Tribal Grasslands Network, a collaboration with Fort Peck, Fort Belknap, Rocky Boy, Confederated Salish and Kootenai, and Blackfeet Buffalo Programs and their respective Tribal Colleges (Fort Peck Community College, Aaniiih Nakoda College, Stone Child College, Salish Kootenai College, and Blackfeet Community College). This work is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) America the Beautiful Challenge Award. The project’s goals are to support a collaboration between five Native American communities (Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Blackfeet, Rocky Boy, Fort Belknap, and Fort Peck – Montana) aimed to advance ecosystem resiliency within lands allocated for bison restoration. The goal of the proposed Grasslands Network is to enhance ecosystem functionality on >60,000 acres through helping to inform the sustainable management of bison and grasslands.

This internship offers a unique opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain valuable field experience under the mentorship of Smithsonian Ecologists while working alongside peers from neighboring Tribal Colleges. The cohort of 2025 Interns will make valuable contributions to the historic launch of the first Inter-Tribal Long-term Ecological Research Network focused on sustainable management of grassland ecosystems, the most critically endangered habitat in the world.

Interns will be split between 3 regional crews:

• East – stationed at Ft. Peck with one over-night trip to American Prairie
• Central – stationed at Ft. Belknap and Rocky Boy
• West – stationed at Blackfeet with one over-night trip to Confederated Salish and Kootenai

Through this internship, the intern will learn:

• Applied conservation techniques and survey protocols
• Use of camera traps, soil, vegetation, acoustic, and scat surveys for ecological monitoring
• How to discuss and present collaborative conservation projects to diverse audiences
• Navigation of a large, remote landscape with 4×4 vehicles and on foot
• Compilation and management of ecological data

 QUALIFICATIONS

• A strong interest in understanding wildlife ecology and conservation
• Ability to engage within a team environment with staff and other interns and volunteers
• Must enjoy being outdoors in all weather conditions and be prepared for long field days during the field season

TERM OF APPOINTMENT

6 weeks between May 19 – June 27, 2025.  Start and end dates are flexible

COMPENSATION

$500 per week + per diem when traveling away from home communities; travel costs reimbursed by Smithsonian Institution