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Gain experience and research skills in field biology and applied conservation under the supervision of professionals in the field
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Apply your skills to on-the-ground biodiversity conservation and sustainable development projects, as well as independent research
Internships in the Peruvian Amazon
Our Internship Programs are designed to provide individuals—students, early-career or aspiring scientists, and/or those with a deeper interest in tropical biology or conservation—with the chance to learn through direct, hands-on engagement in basic scientific research and applied conservation projects spanning our two focal areas: biological research and monitoring and sustainable tropical agriculture.
Each of our three Internship Programs share a common academic structure that includes an exploration of topics in tropical biology and conservation through lectures, readings in the primary scientific literature, and through guided discussions and, of course, in-depth independent study. Scroll down to learn more about these exciting opportunities!
3 Different Opportunities:
*An application fee of $150 is due after registering for the Internship Program, which is non-refundable. Please read our Cancellation Policy, as well as our Terms and Conditions before making a payment. You will be given payment options upon completion of the Application Form (available here).
3. Academic
Quarter Internship
2. Advanced
Sustainability Internship
1. Introduction to Sustainability Internship
2017 Dates, Deadlines, & Fees
Internship Program
Introduction to
Sustainability
Advanced
Sustainability
Academic
Quarter
Duration
4 weeks
8 weeks
12 weeks
$325
Fee/week
$275
$250
Total Fees
$1,300
$2,200
$3,000
Session Dates
Session I
Jun 19 - Jul 14
Jun 19 - Aug 11
Jun 19 - Sept 8
Session II
Jul 17 - Aug 11
Aug 14 - Oct 6
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Session III
Aug 14 - Sept 8
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Session IV
Sept 11 - Oct 6
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Session V
Nov 20 - Dec 15
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Application & Payment Deadlines
May 26
Session I
May 26
May 26
June 30
Session II
July 28
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July 28
Session III
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August 25
Session IV
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Session V
October 27
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Faculty and Staff
Internships are overseen by our expert faculty and staff. Our Academic Supervisor is Dr. Geoff Gallice, who has 10+ years of experience working as a research scientist and conservationist in the Neotropics. Support is also provided by our Academic Programs Coordinator and our team of Resident Naturalists.
Skills Developed by Interns
All programs:
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Training in basic field research skills, including off-trail navigation and use of GPS and GIS, techniques used in studies of tropical biodiversity, ecology, and conservation (e.g., experimental design, data collection and management, forest inventory plots, tree climbing and canopy access, wildlife and insect survey methods, camera trapping, etc.)
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Identification of major Amazonian plant and animal groups (e.g., trees, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, insects and other invertebrates)
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Sustainable tropical agriculture methods and practices
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Weekly assigned readings on topics covering tropical biology, sustainable development, and conservation
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Guided reading discussions from the primary literature
Advanced & Academic Quarter programs:
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Advanced field research methodology through in-depth Independent Research Project
Example Intern Activities
Biological monitoring
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Primate demography, spatial & feeding ecology of primates (brown titi monkeys & saddleback tamarins)
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Biological inventories – insects, birds, mammals, trees/plants
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Plant phenology (fruiting and flowering of select trees and plants) – to monitor changes over time in a changing climate
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Artificial macaw nest boxes – use and occupancy
Sustainable agriculture
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Experimental agricultural plots (e.g., to test effects of composting, biochar, & other organic fertilizers, intercropping, integrated pest management, etc.
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Shade house and tree nursery management practices
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Native food forest monitoring – a future forest of native species with food, building, and/or medicinal uses
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Green infrastructure development – solar food dehydrator, bicycle-powered water pump, etc.
Read more about possible internship projects in the Peruvian Amazon.
Map of the field site in southeastern Peru.
Tree climbing allows researchers to safely access the top reaches of the rain forest canopy, and is one of many skills that interns will gain in Peru. Photo: Geoff Gallice
Traps allow us to sample butterflies and other rain forest insects that are otherwise hard to find. With more than 1,300 known butterfly species, Peru's Madre de Dios region offers a limitless variety of possibilities for the study of biodiversity. Photo: Geoff Gallice
Program Location: Finca Las Piedras, Madre de Dios, Peru
Accommodations: Shared room/dormitory
Work Schedule: Monday thru Friaday, 8 hrs/day
Meeting Location: Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Requirements
Overview
Program Details
An academic background or strong interest in biology, ecology, agriculture, or conservation is highly recommended for all interns. We do not offer academic credit through our organization, but we are happy to sign documents for credit from your home institution. All instruction at the field site is in English. Although Spanish is not required, basic skills will be very useful.
1. Introduction to Sustainability
Internship - 4 weeks
Objectives
This 4-week program offers participants a broad introduction to biological research and conservation in the tropics. Our teaching and learning approach is both academic and hands-on. Interns will participate directly in scientific research and applied conservation projects that span our two focal areas: biological research and monitoring and sustainable tropical agriculture. With the help of our academic faculty, interns will also navigate tropical biology and conservation science through lectures and weekly reading discussions covering articles drawn from the primary scientific literature. All interns maintain a field journal, including daily entries that aim to synthesize their learning experiences and sharpen their observational skills. This is an excellent opportunity to explore an exciting variety of potential career paths in biology and conservation under the guidance of experts in those fields.
Details
Length: 4 weeks
Dates (2017):
Session I: Jun 19 - Jul 14
Session II: Jul 17 - Aug 11
Session III: Aug 14 - Sept 8
Session IV: Sept 11 - Aug 6
Session V: Nov 20 - Dec 15
Application Deadlines:
Session I: May 26
Session II: Jun 30
Session III: Jul 28
Session IV: Aug 25
Session V: Oct 27
Program Fees:
Per week: $325
Total fees: $1,300 (4 weeks)
2. Advanced Sustainability
Internship - 8 weeks
Details
Length: 8 weeks
Dates (2017):
Session I: Jun 19 - Aug 11
Session II: Aug 14 - Oct 6
Application Deadlines:
Session I: May 26
Session II: Jul 28
Objectives
This 8-week program offers participants a more in-depth survey of biological research and conservation in the tropics. Interns will learn by participating directly in scientific research and applied conservation projects that span our two focal areas: biological research and monitoring and sustainable tropical agriculture. With the guidance of our academic faculty, interns will also navigate tropical biology and conservation science through lectures and weekly reading discussions covering articles drawn from the primary scientific literature. All interns maintain a field journal, including daily entries that aim to synthesize their learning experiences and sharpen their observational skills.
Independent Research Project
As well as the activities listed above, participants in the Advanced Sustainability Internship Program will have the added opportunity to develop an Independent Research Project on a topic of their choosing, under the supervision of our academic faculty. Topics may also be assigned in an area of our faculty’s academic expertise, including wildlife biology and ecology, entomology, botany, natural history, sustainable agriculture, and community development. This optional project will provide participants with a more thorough insight into the process of scientific discovery and conservation in the tropics.
Program Fees:
Per week: $275
Total fees: $2,200 (8 weeks)
3. Academic Quarter
Internship - 12 weeks
Details
This 12-week program offers participants the most thorough exploration of biological research and conservation in the tropics. Interns will learn by participating directly in scientific research and applied conservation projects that span our two focal areas: biological research and monitoring and sustainable tropical agriculture. With the guidance of our academic faculty, interns will also explore topics tropical biology and conservation science through lectures and weekly reading discussions covering articles drawn from the primary scientific literature. All interns maintain a field journal, including daily entries that aim to synthesize their learning experiences and sharpen their observational skills.
Independent Research Project
As well as the activities listed above, participants in the Academic Quarter Internship Program will have the added opportunity to develop a detailed Independent Research Project on a topic of their choosing, under the supervision of our academic faculty. Topics may also be assigned in an area of our faculty’s academic expertise, including wildlife biology and ecology, entomology, botany, natural history, sustainable agriculture, and community development. This optional project will provide participants with a more thorough insight into the process of scientific discovery and conservation in the tropics. The Academic Quarter Internship Program is ideal for those intending to complete an academic thesis, particularly at the undergraduate level (i.e., capstone).
Objectives
Details
Length: 12 weeks
Dates (2017):
Session I: Jun 19 - Sept 8
Application Deadlines:
Session I: May 26
Program Fees:
Per week: $250
Total fees: $3,000 (12 weeks)
