Armand Bayou volunteer orientation

NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION for Armand Bayou Nature Center: April 21 and April 28 

Volunteers are critical to the ABNC education and stewardship mission. They need volunteers for a wide variety of fun and important jobs, from teaching to maintenance, from science to administration, indoor, outdoor, regular assignments, special projects...there is a job for you. Find out how your talents and skills can be applied. No skills? No problem. They'll train you. Find out about training and the benefits of volunteer service. Join them for Orientation on Saturday April 21 from 9:00AM to 2:00PM (they'll even provide lunch!) and Basic Training on Saturday April 28 from 9:00AM to 2:00PM.

Please let them know you are coming. Pick up a Volunteer Application at ABNC or reserve your seat by calling 281-474-2551 x 10.

Post-doctoral position in Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Propagation Research in Ocean Springs, MS

A post-doctoral position is immediately available at The University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, located in Ocean Springs MS, in the Center for Plant Restoration and Coastal Plant Research (CPR), headed by Dr Patrick Biber (http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/cv/biber.patrick/cv.biber.patrick.full.php). Our research group is interested in developing protocols to propagate Vallisneria and Ruppia in a nursery setting, for future restoration projects in the Northern Gulf of Mexico related to the 2010 oil spill. Existing facilities include 4 incubation chambers, a laminar-flow hood, a large dedicated wet-lab with aquaria and high-output growlights, as well as extensive outdoor mesocosms for large scale growout.

Candidates require a PhD with a strong background in plant ecology or reproductive biology in aquatic systems, and proven experience in one or more of the following fields: plant propagation, SAV restoration, micropropagation, or plant biology. He/she will be responsible for leading a team of scientists and technicians in all aspects of the state-funded project including: the experimental data collections, the analysis and synthesis of this data with other ongoing projects, and the publication of findings in leading research journals.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please upload your application to https://jobs.usm.edu.

Documents must include your CV, a cover letter outlining your research experience and interests, and contact information for 3 references. Please also forward a copy of your completed application by e-mail to patrick.biber@usm.edu  Closing date is May 30, 2012 or when the position is filled.

Field tech position with Audubon in the Florida Keys

 Audubon of Florida’s Tavernier Science Center is seeking a Field Research Technician to fill a full time position monitoring prey base fish populations in the mangrove zone of Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and the Florida Keys.  Scientific responsibilities include collection and analysis of fishes and physical data, and maintaining a data base. Fish populations are monitored using a 3M2 drop system, throw traps, and seines.  Field data will be collected from, powerboats, row boats, canoes and kayaks.  Other job responsibilities include maintenance of vehicles, boats, and all field equipment including nets. 

In addition to the duties described above, technicians will be expected to assist with other on-going projects at this research center which include submerged aquatic vegetation surveys, as well as nest monitoring of roseate spoonbills. Applicants may be required to work long and unpredictable hours alone, in the often-harsh environment of South Florida (e.g., heat and humidity, intense sun exposure, boating in rough seas, unpredictable weather such as sudden squalls and thunderstorms, exposure to myriad biting insects including mosquitoes and flies), capable of working in close proximity to sharks, crocodiles, alligators and snakes, and tolerate project mishaps like broken boats/vehicles, schedule cancellations due to weather, etc. with good humor.

Qualifications

B.S. with a background in marine, estuarine, or wetlands ecology (or similar work experience).

Applicants need to have a valid driver’s license, experience with small boats, and operating vehicles with trailers.

Heavy lifting is required.

A successful candidate will exhibit a strong work ethic, work well in teams and independently in the field.

Individuals who have field experience in Florida’s estuaries, mangrove forests and/or coastal wetlands, sampling and identification of fishes are desired.

Additionally, a basic knowledge of boat maintenance and repair is preferred.

If interested in the position please send a cover letter and resume with 3 references electronically to Michelle Robinson at mrobinson@audubon.org.  Closing Date for this posting is April 29, 2012 and the starting date for the position will be in early June 2012.

Trash bash!

2012 Trash Bash - Clean It Like You Mean It

The Galveston Bay Foundation is back again coordinating the Armand Bayou site for the River, Lakes, Bays, 'N Bayous Trash Bash event. Our main site will be Bay Area Park, but there are several other locations along the Bayou where we will pick up trash. Opportunities also exist for canoers/kayakers to collect trash from their personal watercraft.

Register for Trash Bash, and clean it like you mean it!

Saturday, March 31, 2012

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Armand Bayou at Bay Area Park (map)

National Invasive Species Week

Did you know it's National Invasive Species Week? Learn about invasive plants in the Galveston Bay area - they're everywhere! http://www.galvbayinvasives.org/

New NASA project has begun!

We (Patrick Louchouarn, Anna Armitage, Sam Brody, Wes Highfield) recently began a new NASA-funded project that seeks to improve our ability to predict changes in coastal C cycling due to 1) losses of wetland coverage and 2) changes in environmental conditions (i.e. land use) and subsequent shifts in ecosystem type (e.g., salt marsh to mangrove). In addition, the proposed work will seek to establish a “value” of such systems in C sequestration terms at the regional scale. We will focus on contemporary remote sensing, land use, ecological, and biogeochemical processes affecting C sequestration in a series of tidal wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico coastal system. 

 

 Collecting the first soil core in a salt marsh

 The first core!

Removing 1-cm layers of the core for carbon analysis

Student Services Position with USGS in Lafayette, LA

Student Services Position
U.S. Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center (Lafayette, LA)


The U.S. Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center (USGS NWRC) seeks a student contractor to work with a team of researchers investigating the ecological implications of climate change and land use change. Specific duties will include, but will not be limited, to: (1) data analysis and the evaluation/application of regional-scale modeling tools; (2) synthesis of literature pertaining to future global change scenarios and the potential vulnerability of priority ecosystems and species; and (3) preparation of written communications that summarize research efforts. The position will likely involve collaboration with federal, state, and non-profit environmental managers and scientists. For general information about the program, please see the project’s fact sheet:
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/LCC/GulfPlains/pdf/DoIGulfCoastPlainLCC.pdf

Level of Education and Knowledge
The student shall have completed a BA or BS degree and at least one year of graduate school. It is important that the student be enrolled or recently enrolled in an intensive degree program (e.g., Biology, Ecology, Geology, Environmental Science, Engineering) with longer-term goals of earning an M.S. or Ph.D. degree. The student shall be familiar with basic computer operations including knowledge of common software applications and database management protocols. The student should also be able to work for long periods of time in the field commensurate with the time project supervisors spend in the field while on travel. Knowledge of ecological research methods as they
pertain to report writing is also preferred.

Working conditions
The official duty station is the USGS National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, LA. Most work will be completed indoors within an office; however some laboratory or greenhouse work may also be
necessary. Field work will be uncommon and student-optional, but may involve long hours in forested wetlands, marsh, or coastal barrier islands. Travel, with a duration ranging from day trips to week-long-trips, may be allowed, but is not required.

Estimated number of hours to be performed
40 hours per week for one year

Approximate start date
February 27, 2012

Approximate end date
February 27, 2013

To apply for this position, please send a copy of your resume via email to Mike Osland (email address: oslandm@usgs.gov). Questions regarding the position can also be sent to this email address.  To facilitate the identification of such emails, please include “student
position” in the subject line of your email