Host Agency Info:
Name: Office of Natural Lands Management, Division of Parks & Forestry, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection
Address: Station Plaza Building 4, P.O. Box 404, Trenton, NJ 08625-0404
Phone: 609-984-1339
Supervisor Name: Robert J. Cartica; other staff of ONLM
E-mail of supervisor: bob.cartica@dep.state.nj.us

Nature of Host Agency (circle):       Government

Title:  Statewide Trails Inventory Researcher
Description:  The intern will be responsible for developing a comprehensive inventory database of trails of all types throughout New Jersey.  Objectives are to compile information for federal, state, county, non-profit and larger municipal trail systems.  Information should include trail location, type, length, challenge/difficulty, ADA accessibility, uses, restrictions, and amenities associated with each trail.  The emphasis should be on county, regional and state level trails that serve a geographically broad constituency.  The inventory will be established as a database that will help facilitate trails planning by trail providers.
ONLM Advisor:  Larry Miller

Title:  Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Policies and Programs Researcher
Description:  The intern will research policies and practices for off-highway vehicle (also known as off-road vehicle or ORV) recreation in other states, particularly northeastern and Mid-Atlantic States.  OHVs are described as all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, snowmobiles and 4-wheel drive trucks driven off road.  The research should focus on state OHV policies, state-run OHV programs, and OHV registration, enforcement issues, environmental issues and riding opportunities.  Current policies and practices in New Jersey will be compared to other states.  The intern will make recommendations for OHV recreation in New Jersey as a product of this research.  A complete report on all methods and the results of this research will be required.
ONLM Advisor:  Larry Miller

Title:  Prescribed Fire Management Methods and Policies Researcher
Description:  The intern will research prescribed fire management methods and policies of the federal government, various forest fire management programs of other states (including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, New York, others), and non-governmental organizations.  In particular, the research should focus on prescribed fire management methods and policies that accommodate both hazard reduction and ecological management goals.  For example, prescribed burning in various seasons or with various intensities, or pre-treating burn units with forestry thinning or brush cutting, intended to achieve multiple goals.  Current policies and practices in New Jersey will be compared to other states.  A complete report on all methods and results of this research will be required.
ONLM Advisor:  Dr. Andrew G. Windisch

Title:  Rare Plant Species Legal Protection Researcher
Description:  The intern will perform library and internet research on the status of rare plant legal protection throughout the United States at the federal and state level as well as the efficacy of these programs, compare policies and level of protection with that currently afforded in New Jersey, and recommend policy changes in New Jersey that will approach a model protection program.  Depending on the duration of the internship and level of competency, research could include consideration of climate change, impacts of invasive species, deer herbivory, and off-road vehicle impacts in policy discussion.  A complete report on all methods and results of this research will be required.
ONLM Advisor:  Robert J. Cartica

Title:  Volunteer Coordinator, Broom Crowberry Management
Description:  The intern will work with staff of the ONLM’s Natural Areas Program to seek, train and supervise volunteers to assist with the implementation of a broom crowberry management plan in the East and West Plains Natural Areas during 2008-2009.  Broom crowberry (Corema conradii) is a state endangered plant of New Jersey which is largely restricted to the dwarf pine plains, and relies on sandy openings to persist and survive fires.  Volunteers will be needed to assist with the clearing of habitat and fuelbreaks around broom crowberry sites in the dwarf pine plains. This will include cutting dwarf pine, shrub oak brush and heaths using hand tools (loppers, hand saws - no power tools), moving cut slash to brush piles, and raking leaf litter and humus to expose mineral soils.  The project coordinator will work closely with the ONLM advisor to learn the life history of this rare species and seek volunteers capable of moderate physical exertion for several hours in forested sites.
ONLM Advisor:  Dr. Andrew G. Windisch

Title:  Biodiversity Inventory Information Assistant
Description:  The intern will assist ONLM’s Natural Heritage Program Ecologist with the compilation of existing biodiversity data for all state managed areas (state parks, forests, wildlife management areas, State Natural Areas and Natural Lands Trust preserves) as part of ONLM’s requirements under the DEP Action Plan.  Information to be compiled will include name, acreage, GIS map, and information from the Natural Heritage Database, Wildlife Action Plans, Natural Area and Forestry Management Plans and other sources.  Intern will assist the ecologist in preparing a summary report on existing biodiversity information about each state-owned managed area and develop a prioritized list of N&HR managed areas based on amount of existing information and need for inventory.
ONLM Advisor:  Kathleen S. Walz

Title:  Trust Boundary Monitor

Description:  The intern will be responsible for locating property corners and boundaries and marking these with New Jersey Natural Lands Trust (Trust) signs in the field.  Preserve corners will be identified with PVC plastic piping and flagging tape.  A GPS reading will be taken and information and digital photos downloaded.  Intern will also be responsible for updating and revising GIS shapefiles for each posted Preserve.  The Trust manages approximately 25,000 acres of conservation properties statewide, including over 120 preserves each assembled from countless municipal blocks and lots.  It is estimated that the perimeter boundaries of these properties could be over 1000 liner miles.  In many cases, road-front boundaries have already been posted, however, interior boundaries have rarely been posted.  Accurate boundary identification is critical to long-term monitoring of preserves for encroachments and trespass.  Boundary posting also makes for simple and easy identification of public property for preserve users including hunters and hikers.  The intern will be required to work independently and without daily supervision statewide, and have effective skills for navigating in outdoor environments in rough terrain.  Intern should have skills in GIS computer mapping and use of associated software, as well as the use of hand held GPS units and their interface with computers. 

ONLM Advisor:  Martin Rapp

Title:  Trust Building and Grounds Steward

Description:  The intern will be responsible for management of selected New Jersey Natural Lands Trust (Trust) preserve grounds and facilities, including three rental units.  The Trust manages approximately 25,000 acres of conservation properties statewide, including over 120 preserves.  Management of the preserve grounds and facilities is an important component of natural resource management, assuring public safety through the maintenance various hiking trails, structures and rental buildings.  Preserves may be abused by illegal dumping or OHV use.  Work activities would need to conform to state contract bidding specifications and also be reviewed though the Trust’s Project Review Guidelines.  The intern will be required to work independently and without daily supervision statewide, and must exhibit effective and pleasant communication skills.  Intern must also display skill in navigating rough outdoor terrain and possess a basic knowledge of ecology, skills in GIS computer mapping, use of GPS units and associated software.  Intern should be familiar with basics understanding of construction, carpentry and electric, have ability to operate diverse power equipment, such as a chain saw, and tract and monitor spending and basics budget requirements.  Examples of work may include installation of gates, demolition of structures (docks, hunting platforms, etc.), trail maintenance, debris removal, and mowing of fields.

ONLM Advisor:  Martin Rapp

Title:  Trust Conservation Easement Monitor
Description:  The intern will research and monitor conservation easements for approximately 25 conservation easements as part of the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust (Trust) stewardship properties.  Conservation easements are a legal and contractual arrangement between the easement holder (Trust) and the private landowner.  It is incumbent upon the easement holder to regularly visit, inspect and monitor each easement no less than ever three years to assure that the landowner continues to comply with the unique terms of the easement.  Many of the Trust’s easements have not been visited in over ten years.  This monitoring is critical in cases where the landowner has strayed from the original intent of the easement, and then must be encouraged or legally forced to bring the easement conditions back into compliant or baseline condition.  Intern will be responsible for researching the unique and specialized terms of each easement prior to inspection, meet with each landowner to review the terms of the easement, inspect the property to assure that terms are still within compliance, and prepare easement monitor reports, including photo documentation, and record this information into a database.  The intern will be required to work independently and without daily supervision statewide, and have effective skills for navigating in outdoor environments in rough terrain.  Intern should have skills in GIS computer mapping and use of associated software as well as the use of hand held GPS units and their interface with computers. 
ONLM Advisor:  Martin Rapp

 Title:  Rare Plant Occurrence Monitor
Description:  The Intern, using information obtained from the New Jersey Natural Heritage Database as well as from staff of the ONLM’s Natural Heritage Program, will perform field survey and complete forms to update information on occurrences of rare plant species.  The New Jersey Natural Heritage Database is used to monitor information on the locations of 802 plant species rare or endangered in the State.  Limited botanical staff greatly increases the length of time between field visits to monitor the presence and condition of these occurrences, which may approach a 20-year monitoring cycle.  Based on interest and experience, the intern may monitor occurrences of one or more species, State managed areas, or Natural Heritage Priority Sites.  Skill in identification of the flora of New Jersey and basic knowledge of scientific methods required, as well as use of a GPS unit. 
ONLM Advisor:  Richard Dutko; other Heritage Program staff

Title:  Rare Plant Species Information Specialist
Description:  The intern will perform internet research on rare plant species monitored by the ONLM’s Natural Heritage Program and create fact sheets that can be used by botantists and the general public alike to aid in the field identification and management of New Jersey's rare plant species.  The task would involve researching and gathering the pertinent plant species information and transferring this information onto a specific template format.  Resulting fact sheets will be periodically posted on the Natural Heritage Program website.
ONLM Advisor:  Sarah Ritchie; Roman Senyk; other Heritage Program staff