Background Information
In efforts to restore blight-resistant, timber-type, and locally-adapted American chestnut trees by the backcross method of breeding, The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is seeking to capture as much of the original genetic diversity of the tree as possible. The New England Chapters of TACF have made an extensive effort to locate, identify, hybridize, and collect seed from native New England American chestnut (Castanea dentata) trees and sprouts across the region. Volunteers have planted thousands of seeds in breeding and seed orchards in all six New England states. This internship will provide hands-on work experience with applied science, particularly as in regards to tree improvement, genetics, breeding, forest tree pathology, and silvicultural and horticultural techniques as they apply to chestnuts.
Project Description and Responsibilities
PRIMARY PROJECT
The 2016 intern will receive training in order to assist in all aspects of the regional breeding program and chestnut restoration work conducted by the New England TACF Chapters. Each volunteer-run State Chapter (Maine, Vermont/New Hampshire, Massachusetts/Rhode Island and Connecticut) conducts their own breeding program for blight-resistance and regional adaptability. The intern will provide assistance during the field season for planting (depending on start date), wild tree scouting/mother tree selection and pollination (more below), inoculation (more below) and routine orchard maintenance. In addition, the 2016 intern will assist the Regional Science Coordinator with program administration, including data collection and entry, greenhouse management, and other types of Chapter and program support.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES
(1) Assist in inoculation programs in the beginning of the summer. Inoculation is the process by which we measure blight-resistance of our hybrid chestnut trees. The intern will participate in the process from creating and maintaining fungal cultures in the lab through tree testing in the field. For more information on the inoculation procedure, please visit this site: http://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/chestnut/breeding/inoculation
(2) Travel throughout New England to assist with chestnut pollinations throughout late June and early-mid July. The intern will be taught the biology of chestnut flowering, the process of controlled pollinations of chestnut, and, most importantly, assist others with pollinations. The intern will develop/utilize good communication and people skills by traveling throughout New England, meeting volunteers and assisting them in the pollination process.
(3) Take on the seasonal management of a local chestnut collection at the UVM Horticulture Research Center (HRC). The intern will receive training on any special equipment to be used at the HRC and be responsible for routine maintenance of the orchard.
(4) TACF is currently developing an on-line database to store all breeding program data. Efforts are currently underway to enter all historic Chapter data into this new on-line system. The intern will receive training on data formats, both historic and in the new database, and assist with the loading and entry of appropriate chapter data.
Qualification/Experience
The internship candidate should be precise, observant and have some training in forestry, ecology, horticulture and/or laboratory procedures. Good organization and time management skills are a must. The intern should be good at working independently and with others, enjoy working outside, and be proficient with MS Excel. Note that training will be provided, but a background in ecology/horticulture/biology will be helpful.
The would-be intern should also be a good traveler. The intern must provide his or her own automobile and have a flexible work schedule, i.e. be able to work some long days and sometimes stay overnight on the road. Of course, as far as scheduling is concerned, days off will be provided to make up for extra-long days above and beyond a normal 8-hour work day and notice of long, overnight or weekend work days will be given with as much advance notice as possible.
Additional Information
There will be ample opportunity for an intern to learn and evaluate various non-profit management styles, learn several lab and field-work techniques, challenge communication and people skills, and learn about working within a unique research and outreach structure. Depending on the outcome of the field season’s activities, there may be opportunity for write-up and publication in the Journal of The American Chestnut Foundation and/or a Chapter newsletter.
How to Apply
Application is easy. Applications will be accepted by both e-mail and regular mail. Please feel free to contact Kendra if you have any questions. Please send, as soon as possible, a cover letter, resume and three references to:
Kendra Collins
The American Chestnut Foundation
705 Spear Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
e-mail: kendra.collins@acf.org
Phone: 802-999-8706
Remuneration: The internship pays $12.50/hour for approximately 12 weeks during the field season: mid-May – mid-August, depending on intern availability. Travel reimbursement will also be provided.
For more information on our project, the following references are recommended:
The American Chestnut Foundation: http://www.acf.org; the ME Chapter: http://www.me-acf.org/Home.html; the VT/NH Chapter: http://www.acf.org/ChapterNews_vt.php; the MA/RI Chapter: http://masschestnut.org/index.php; the CT Chapter: http://ctacf.org/index.cfm; and the Chestnut Growers website: http://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/chestnut
1. Jacobs DF. 2007. Toward development of silvical strategies for forest restoration of American chestnut (Castanea dentata) using blight-resistant hybrids. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION. 137: 497 –506 (available on-line at: http://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/chestnut/meetings/regional-restoration-meetings/background-materials )
2. Ecology of the American chestnut: Paillet, F.L. 2002. Chestnut: history and ecology of a transformed species. Journal of Biogeography. 29: 1517-1530. (available on-line at: http://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/chestnut/information/journal; Volume 8, Issue 2, page 18 of TACF Journal)