Mentorship for Young Budding Botanists

Now accepting new applications for 2024

We are delighted to announce a partnership with Fieldlife Environmental Consultants & Ecological Services to provide a unique mentorship opportunity.

Those selected will receive experience in vegetation ecology and Species at Risk surveys from a qualified professional and expert Botanist. Botanical work will be focused on vegetation surveys along the length of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve between Tobermory and Queenston Heights, Ontario. The project will culminate in the publication of a book on the flora. In memorandum of the late Ann Bard, who kindly donated her time, energy and services to staff and students of the EARTHQUEST Biological Field School by allowing us to use her Bed and Breakfast while hiking the Bruce Trail we would like to dedicate all proceeds from the sale of this book to be donated to the Bruce Trail Conservancy.  Please view this video in Ann's honour (If you have any trouble viewing this video please go to this link).

Survey methodology will consist of hiking the trail system with an expert Botanist and recording all plants found. Photographs of plants and their habitat from volunteers may be credited in the book. You could also be asked to contribute written sections to the book content. Hiking may take several hours to full 8 hour days traveling an average of 4 - 12 km per hike. Hikes are mainly organized on weekend dates, weather permitting.

Volunteers may also be selected to survey Species at Risk vegetation within a Provincial Park in the Port Burwell, Ontario area.  Volunteers selected for this project may be asked to undergo data sensitivity training. Other volunteer opportunities may involve assisting with guided hikes on behalf of Fieldlife Services.

Who is this Mentorship opportunity most suited for?

This position is open to all, but preference will be given to beginners who need the experience and mentorship. For those who do not have the botanical skills necessary to participate we highly recommend taking plant courses from the EARTHQUEST Biological Field School. Students and volunteers may take courses for discounted rates. Enrollment in an EARTHQUEST course is highly encouraged in order to participate in the work schedule.  Please visit our website for details:

http://www.earthquestcanada.ca/Plantcourses.htm
https://earthquestcanada.wixsite.com/plantcourses/field-botany-mentorship

Roles and Duties

The role and duties of this unique volunteer opportunity includes:

• Assisting staff with botanical surveys in search of Ontario Species at Risk;
• Learning intimately about vegetation ecology, survey protocols and methodology, native plant, Species at Risk and invasive plant identification and data collection. This includes plants which are notoriously difficult to identify such as asters, goldenrods, grasses, sedges and rushes;
• Contributing valuable data to a much needed and anticipated book for land management purposes, conservation and research

What is the benefit of becoming a Volunteer Botanist?

•Become more attractive to employers seeking candidates with skills in field botany, GIS and database management;
•Receive hands-on practical training and field experience in the environmental field within several disciplines – field Botany, GIS and database management;
•Gain professional connections and networking opportunities;
•Gain valuable insight and experience with the vegetation ecology of one of Ontario’s premier geological land formations;
•Get to know the Niagara Escarpment and meet new people;
•Learn GIS skills associated with how to map vegetation communities and populations;
•Learn about the environmental assessment process as it relates to conducting vegetation surveys in Ontario;
•Acquire skills associated with data collection and database management using MicroSoft software (i.e. Excel and Access)

Qualifications of candidates

•Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions;
•Enthusiastic with a sense of humor;
•Comfortable hiking and working in small groups;
•Able to work independently and as part of a team;
• A strong communicator with ability to take notes and photographs;
•A desire to learn and work with a mentor, taking a botany course if necessary;
• Reasonable with time management, judging hiking distances and aerial photo interpretation;
•Willing to spend time entering data into a database;
• Experience or interest in pursuing botany or a career in the environmental field;
• Experience working in the outdoors;
• Previous volunteer experience

Time Commitment

Volunteer work takes place primarily over weekend dates, not including statuatory holidays. Volunteer Botanists are asked to commit to volunteering a minimum of once per month from May – October, approximately 4 – 8 hours per hike. You will spend up to 2 – 4 hours per day entering data collected from field visits into the database. Alternatively, you may choose to spend up to 1 month entering data after program completion (i.e. November, 2023).  Volunteers who contribute the most vascular plant records will be awarded the Ann Bard Award at the close of their mentorship.

Application Procedure

We can only accept a limited number of volunteers for this mentorship opportunity. All applicants must complete the following steps to be considered for this unique program:

*Attend an interview with EARTHQUEST staff;
*Research the Niagara Escarpment and know the local topography, flora, time and distance required to hike between sites;
* Attend a field botany training session designed to help determine your botanical inventory rate

To be considered please submit a letter telling us why you wish to join this program, your qualifications, commitment to receiving mentorship and training from experienced professionals, desire to take plant courses along with your resume and three references.

Testimonials

To view comments from previous participants of this program please visit:

https://www.goabroad.com/providers/earthquest-canada-for-the-environment/programs/mentorship-in-field-botany-142506

Deadline to Apply

May 1, 2024

For further information about this program, please email us at earthquestcanada@yahoo.com