Seeking volunteers to conduct ecological research on the Olympic Peninsula
July 14 to Aug 18, 2014
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is looking for four adventurous, self-motivated people for a six-week project to establish a long-term vegetation monitoring project along some remote, beautiful streams on the Olympic Peninsula.
What is the project? The Riparian Status and Trends Monitoring in the Olympic Experimental State Forest (OESF) is a long-term, multiple basin project to document changes in riparian and aquatic conditions overtime. The management of aquatic resources on the OESF is based on the working hypothesis that the natural processes of ecological succession and disturbance (including past logging disturbance) will continue to improve habitat conditions in managed forests. Together with the interaction of ongoing protecting of streams within riparian management areas, this project of natural stand dynamics will provide valuable context on how best to meet riparian conservation objectives.
The task: Establish permanent forest plot network to document changes in overstory and understory vegetation on transects from the stream edge extending 60 m into the adjacent riparian forest. Experience with forest measurements and plant identification is desired. Training will be provided in plot establishment, stand measurements and plant identification. Plots established this year will be used to interpret gradients of microclimate, changes in stream temperature, and the delivery of instream wood and detritus.
Conditions: The crew needs to be prepared to navigate off trail, travel to remote areas, and over rough terrain. Safety gear and protocols will be provided.
Work cycle: The full duration of the project is six weeks divided into two-week cycles of eight, ten-hour days working in the field and then six days off. See draft schedule below.
Expenses covered and stipend provided: DNR will cover transportation from Olympia and in the field, housing with cooking facilities, a meal per diem of $61 per full day, and a $500 stipend for a six week commitment. Housing will be a the Forest Service Snider Ridge Work Center the first eight day period and then at the University of Washington Olympic Natural Resources Center (in Forks) for the last two periods.
To apply please send resume to:
Richard Bigley, Forest Ecologist
State Lands HCP, Forest Resources Division, Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Office (360) 902-1717, bigleyr@evergreen.edu
I will be travelling with limited e-mail access from June 17th to July 6th, my response might be delayed a couple days during that period.