Volunteer Opportunities
All jobs listed below are non-paid positions unless otherwise specified. If you are interested in a volunteer position, PLEASE CONTACT the person listed below each job directly.
- Volunteer Internship Available in Biological Oceanography: Long term monitoring and krill ecology.
Description: Participate in a long term study of euphausiid (krill) populations of the Monterey Bay and coastal California. Learn about zooplankton research techniques and krill taxonomy and identification. Opportunities to participate in field sampling and oceanic cruises. Ask about independent study credit.
Date: Year-round
Location: Center for Ocean Health, Long Marine Lab
Contact: Eric Ettner (Volunteer Coordinator): eettner@ucsc.edu or Baldo Marinovic: marinovic@biology.ucsc.edu
Lab Phone: 831.459.2471
- Recruitment patterns of key species to the rocky intertidal
Description: Processing samples from ecological collectors, learning to
identify marine invertebrate larvae, and sorting larvae from samples under
microscope. There will be the opportunity for intertidal field work and
also the possibility of working on other projects within the PISCO
intertidal lab. We are currently asking for a minimum commitment of five
hours a week. This is a great way to get your foot in the door at Long
Marine Lab.
minimum 5 hrs/wk
Date: Year-round
Location: Long Marine Lab
Contact: Dan Orr
orr@biology.ucsc.edu
- Ecological Role of /Macrocystis pyrifera/Canopy for Kelp Forest Communities: the dynamics of canopy variability on overall diversity of kelp forest associated invertebrates
Description: Laboratory work:* Picking through invertebrate samples, identifying and quantifying invertebrates using microscopes (minimum of 10 hrs/wk).
*Computer Work*: Measuring giant kelp biomass and epifauna biomass from pictures using Image J software (minimum 5 hrs/wk).
Date: Year-round
Location: Long Marine Lab
Contact: Kendra Karr
karr@biology.ucsc.edu
- Population biology and behavior of California sea otters
Description: Fieldwork involves tracking sea otters to monitor the survival,
reproductive status and movement of study animals in Monterey and Big Sur.
Also, collecting data on diet and foraging behavior by direct observation of
feeding otters. Volunteers will gain valuable experience in wildlife
monitoring using VHF radio telemetry and direct behavioral observations
using high-powered spotting scopes. Use of a personal vehicle is required.
Date: Year-round
Location: Big Sur, CA and Monterey, CA
Contact: Christine Alfano
calfano@ucsc.edu
- Albatross appetite for pelagic plastics, tasty or all trash?
Description: Analyses of food and marine debris (plastics) consumed by North Pacific albatrosses. Lab work involves sorting and quantification of items found in albatross boluses (indigestible items ejected by fledglings) and whole wet diet. Volunteers will learn about biogeography of albatross food and marine debris across the North Pacific Ocean.
Location: Wildlife Health Center, Long Marine Lab
Contact: Bill Henry
henry@biology.ucsc.edu
- Beach Water Quality
Description: Field and Lab Work
Contact: Adina Paytan
apaytan@ucsc.edu
- Population ecology of bristlecone pines
Description: Summer field work involving living at a high-altitude research station. Includes plenty of hiking. During the school-year, volunteers will help process tree-core samples and perform various other lab tasks.
Date: Year-round
Location: White Mountain Research Station and UCSC
Contact: Adelia Barber
adeliar@biology.ucsc.edu
- Identifying Kelp Forest Invertebrates in Drift Algae Habitats
Description: Laboratory work. Seiving and picking through invertebrate samples (minimum of 5 hrs/wk). Identifying and quantifying invertebrates using stereoscopes (minimum of 10 hrs/wk).
Date: Present through November 15, 2008
Location: Long Marine Lab
Contact: Jared Figurski
figurski@biology.ucsc.edu
- Behind the scenes: Diving and Boating Safety Program
Description: Research support by working on boats as a crew member, help to repair boats and dive gear. General facililties maintenance, filling scuba cylinders, collecting dive data from various dive groups, maintaining video/photographic equipment. Possible web maintenance and filing.
Date: Year-round
Location: Long Marine Lab
Contact: Steve Clabuesch
srclabue@ucsc.edu
- Elephant Seal Trophic Ecology Research
Description: Prepare whisker samples for isotope work on the trophic ecology of northern elephant seals. Data entry work also available for students interested in a demographic study of the Ano Nuevo elephant seal population.
Date: Year-round
Location: Long Marine Lab
Contact: Jason Hassrick
hassrick@biology.ucsc.edu
- International Plants of Mystery - Ecology and Biogeography of Invasive Plants
Description: Laboratory work - weighing samples of invasive plants from throughout the world (Eurasia, California, South America). There will likely be some greenhouse opportunities as well. Great experience in ecological research and plant ecology. Lab work will be accompanied by good music indefinitely!
Date: Year-round beginning Fall 2008
Location: UCSC Campus
Contact: Krikor Andonian
andonian@biology.ucsc.edu
- River Ecology - Steelhead Tracking
Description: Field surveys to monitor steelhead locations, movement and habitat associations. Help with acoustic telemetry transect surveys from small boat along 38km of river. Possible snorkel / SCUBA surveys. Other field data collection. 1 to 4 day trips.
Date: Year-round beginning Summer 2008
Location: Mokelumne River, CA and Long Marine Lab
Contact: Walter Heady
heady@biology.ucsc.edu
- Intern Opportunity with California Trout's Eastern Sierra Program
Description: Watershed and fisheries conservation-advocacy group California Trout is seeking an intern to work in the Eastern Sierra during the summer and fall of 2008. The internship, based in the Mammoth Lakes area, will report to the Eastern Sierra Program Manager and at times work under the guidance of US Forest Service staff. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to gain experience in hands-on conservation relating to watershed and fisheries management. The internship requires a high level of independence, self-motivation and ability to work well with others. Backcountry camping will be required.
Date: Summer and Fall 2008
Location: Eastern Sierra's, CA
*For more detailed information and further required and desired skills, please click here
Contact: Mark Drew, Eastern Sierra Program Manager
mdrew@caltrout.org
- Green Crabs in Elkhorn Slough - invasion and species interactions
Description: Volunteers will assist in carrying equipment, assembling crab
traps, and recording data. Field work is often very early in the morning.
Wear clothes that can get muddy, and that are suitable for cold, rainy, and
windy weather. If you need a ride to and from Santa Cruz, Rikki can pick you up.
Anyone interested in helping is welcome. No experience necessary.
Date: July to October 2008
Location: Elkhorn Slough Estuarine Research Reserve
Contact: Rikke Preisler
preisler@biology.ucsc.edu
408.981.7447
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