California Marine Sanctuary Foundation/ Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Plasticulture Internship
Host: Since 1995 California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF) has worked to protect the state's coastal ecosystems while strengthening coastal resilience in the face of population growth, urban and industrial uses, climate change, and resource extraction. Working together with local communities, government agencies, tribal communities, harbors and marinas, and NGOs, we identify and then implement practical and effective solutions to reduce human impacts and increase stewardship of our state's coastal resources. Our core focus is on improving coastal resilience by using an interdisciplinary approach, engaging stakeholders, members of the public, as well as experts to help drive cutting edge and creative solutions. For the past 28 years CMSF has proven to be a strategic partner and innovator in coastal programming.
CMSF partners with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) on many projects and this partnership is integral in working toward water quality improvements. MBNMS is one of our nation's largest marine sanctuaries, encompassing more than 6,000 square miles of central California coastal waters that contain a rich array of habitats and marine life, and is surrounded by productive agricultural fields. The sanctuary program provides protection of these natural resources through research and education to foster public understanding and stewardship of this nationally significant marine protected area. MBNMS supports an active and multi-faceted water quality protection program (WQPP) for the sanctuary, for which CMSF is a principal partner.
Location: Monterey (map); Frequent travel to agricultural fields in Monterey County. Occasional travel to field sites in Santa Maria and Oxnard. Optional: travel to Agriculture Plastics Recycling Conference in San Diego, August 14-16, 2024.
Format: In-person
Internship Dates: June 3 to August 16, 2024
Stipend: $8,000
Time Commitment: The internship is a full time, 11-week commitment. Hours may occasionally include long days in the field (10-12 hours) and weekend days. Over the 11 weeks, the intern may take up to five days off for personal reasons, vacation, or illness. If participation is less than 100%, the stipend will be prorated.
Position Description and Responsibilities: Plasticulture, the science and practices of using plastic in agriculture, has greatly transformed the industry. However, plastic used in agricultural fields is prone to entering the environment, including the soil, water and air, because they are exposed to the elements and to equipment used in the fields that cause breakage and degradation. An assessment, conducted by the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF) and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS), of watersheds in agriculturally dominant areas have shown high amounts of agricultural plastic fragments after heavy rainfall. Watersheds that drain into National Marine Sanctuaries can easily transport plastic pollution into marine ecosystems during heavy rainfall, creating marine debris. CMSF and MBNMS, leads scientific research on agricultural plastic pollution and solutions in watersheds through a partnership with UC Cooperative Extension, local growers, researchers from Washington State University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and industry representatives.
CMSF seeks one (1) intern for the Summer of 2024 to assist with research on improving end-of-life management of plastics used in agriculture. This intern will gain professional development and research experience through fieldwork, data analysis, outreach preparation, and project support in agriculture fields that drain into MBNMS, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. This internship position will collect data on trials with soil-biodegradable mulch as an alternative to traditional plastic mulch used in strawberry fields and explore end-of-life solutions for plasticulture. Data collected will be analyzed and presented at educational outreach events tailored to agricultural stakeholders.
Tasks:
- Weekly data collection on strawberry yields in soil-biodegradable mulch trial;
- Occasional soil sampling and survey for visible plastics in agricultural fields;
- Monitor plastic performance and plastic degradation in the field;
- Assist with project management and creation of outreach materials;
Analyze data collected and share results at educational outreach events with agricultural
stakeholders;
- Create social media content to highlight soil-biodegradable mulch trial and end-of-life management of agricultural plastics;
Opportunity to attend and present data at the Agricultural Plastic Recycling Conference
in San Diego, August 14-16, 2024. Networking opportunities and great chance to interact
with agricultural professionals and stakeholders.;
Other tasks may arise as projects evolve.
Preferred Experience and Capabilities: This internship will require excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills. Experience with data management (MS Office and ArcGIS) is desired. Experience with outreach and education, and previous experience working in the field collecting scientific data is a plus. Intern must have the ability to multitask in a team-oriented process while taking initiative and working independently.
Skills Gained: The intern will gain hands-on experience with agricultural research and gain public speaking skills from interpreting data to a wide audience. The intern will gain perspective on the nexus of land-to-sea, sustainable agricultural practices, plasticulture management, and barriers to reduce plastic pollution. The intern will learn to work with a dynamic group of CMSF colleagues, industry partners, universities, farmworkers and agricultural professionals. The intern will contribute to research for plastic pollution/marine debris prevention from agricultural fields that drain into National Marine Sanctuaries.
Eligibility/Requirements:
-Must be available to work some weekends
-Must be comfortable to work outdoors for field data collection
-Internship will be located in Monterey, California.
-A Federal background check will be required.
Applicants are also subject to general general eligibility requirements.
Return to Announcement for Application and Additional Requirements