NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) - Biodiversity Monitoring
This is an opportunity to gain experience in ecological fieldwork in NSW, undertaking plot-based vegetation surveys under the supervision of a BCT ecologist.
Applications for placements in March - May 2022 close on 15 Jan, 2022.
Applications for placements in Sept - Nov 2022 close on 15 July, 2022.
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Degree level
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About
Credit : For credit
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is a statutory (NSW Government) not-for-profit body established under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, which commenced operating in 2017. The BCT is within the portfolio of the NSW Minister for Energy and Environment, and is investing $70 M/yr in private land conservation across priority landscapes in NSW.
A key project of the BCT is the Ecological Monitoring Module (EMM). The EMM seeks to measure state and change in biodiversity on BCT agreement and control sites across NSW, in order to evaluate conservation outcomes and inform adaptive management. The EMM methodology uses vegetation integrity as a surrogate for biodiversity value and is centred around the Biodiversity Assessment Method.
Internships will involve fieldwork implementing the EMM at a variety of agreement and/or control sites within a particular BCT region (see map below), undertaking plot-based vegetation surveys under the supervision of a BCT ecologist. Each project will also include an independent research component, where interns will collect and analyse data on a complementary biodiversity value (e.g. bird or reptile diversity) at the same set of sites.
Internships are available to undergraduate 2nd, 3rd year or postgraduate (coursework) ecology / environmental science students, including international students. Prerequisite skills include: undergraduate-level understanding of ecology and ecological field skills; demonstrated interest in ecological fieldwork; capacity to undertake physical, outdoor activity; basic scientific analysis and writing skills. Students must have completed a minimum of 72 units with at least a Distinction average, and the internship must count towards their degree.
Opportunities for internships over the next 12 months include the following dates and locations:
BCT Region |
BCT Primary Office Location(s) |
Proposed Available Dates |
Central West |
Orange / Dubbo |
March-May 2022 / September-November 2022 |
Murray-Riverina |
Wagga Wagga |
March-May 2022 / September-November 2022 |
Northern Inland |
Inverell / Armidale |
March-May 2022 / September-November 2022 |
Sydney-Hunter |
Sydney / Newcastle |
March-May 2022 / September-November 2022 |
South East |
Queanbeyan |
March-May 2022 / September-November 2022 |
Desk-based internships |
Negotiable |
Ongoing, case-by-case |
The BCT will cover all costs (e.g. travel and accommodation) associated with undertaking fieldwork in different regions.
No clearances are required. If involved with assessing sites as part of an open tender program, students may have to sign a confidentiality agreement and declare any conflicts of interest.
Project opportunities/benefits to the intern:
- General ecological fieldwork skills
- Collection of biodiversity data
- Application of the statutory NSW Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM)
- Plant species identification skills
- Ecological data analysis and interpretation
How to apply:
- Submit your resume and one-page Statement of Interest and Suitability to science.internships@anu.edu.au. In the email subject line, please write: NSW BCT internship, XX region (state the region you are applying for), XX session (Autumn or Spring)
- Autumn session deadline: 15 January (for March – May placements)
- Spring session deadline: 15 July (for September – November placements)
- Your eligibility will be assessed, and if your application progresses to the shortlist, an interview may be required
BCT Regions:
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NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) - Biodiversity Monitoring