Description

Para La Tierra internships are aimed specifically at current biology students and recently qualified young scientists looking for some field work experience to help them gain employment after university. As an intern, we will help you develop your project design and management skills along with, report writing and field work techniques. You will leave Para La Tierra with a good knowledge of how to carry out field projects as well as an understanding of neotropical flora and fauna.

As an intern you are expected to design and execute your own project with the help of the scientific team and agree to meet with a member of staff at least once each week to discuss your progress. You can also enlist some volunteers to help you with your fieldwork. We also ask that you write up your findings as a report and give a presentation of your results to the other interns and volunteers. At the end of the internship we will provide you with an academic reference.

Highlights

Paraguay remains one of the least visited countries in South America yet is also amongst the most friendly, safe and traditional. Paraguay is perfect for an adventurer ready to explore a different world off the beaten track.

Para La Tierra operates from Laguna Blanca, a beautiful location in the east of Paraguay, boasting a clear freshwater lake ready for swimming in, and a sandy beach for you to relax on at the end of a hard day.

Laguna Blanca lies on the frontier of the Paraguayan Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest, two of the most interesting and important habitats in the world. The Cerrado was named a biodiversity hotspot by Conservation International while the Atlantic Forest is one of the five most rapidly disappearing habitat types on Earth. You will be able to explore both of these areas and see some of the biodiversity that Paraguay has to offer such as the maned-wolf, jaguar, capuchin monkeys, brock deer, burrowing owl and armadillo. Perhaps the most important species of all is the White-winged Nightjar which is found to breed near Laguna Blanca and in two other locations in the world. It is of critical importance that we study this bird's life cycle, habitat and behaviour in order to ensure its survival.

You will be directly involved in helping us to conserve this threatened habitat by aiding us in scientific investigation of the area and making our results public to help raise awareness of the ecological importance of Laguna Blanca.

As an intern, you will also be given the opportunity to see your name in print in a scientific paper, book or in some of our educational material and we are always careful that interns receive full credit for their work.

Qualifications

To apply for an internship you need to be a graduate or be able to provide evidence that you are studying towards a degree. You also need enthusiasm for the position and a willingness to help us conserve Laguna Blanca.

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

800 USD for first 2 months, 700 USD per subsequent month

Program Fees Include:

800 USD for the 1st 2 months, 700 USD for each subsequent month. You can also pay on a weekly basis pro rata. There is a 25% discount for South American nationals.

This price includes all of your living costs during you stay with us. The meeting point is in Santa Rosa which is the nearest town to the reserve. The price does not include flights to Paraguay, travel to Santa Rosa, travel insurance or alcoholic drinks. It does include 3 meals a day with unlimited fruit juice and mineral water, accommodation, administrative costs and a small contribution to Para La Tierra's projects.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of small numbers

Application Process Involves

• Written Application
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

4 days

Para La Tierra's Mission Statement

Para La Tierra is a not-for-profit organisation focused on the conservation of Reserva Natural Laguna Blanca through scientific research and community outreach.

Year Founded

2009