NOW RECEIVING APPLICATIONS FOR 2012!

Introduction

Great Wilderness is a 501 “c” California-based, international, non-profit, conservation organization. Great Wilderness partners closely with Ecuadorian and Venezuelan non-profits, as well as private biological reserves in the common mission to conserve and preserve threatened tropical forest and its ecosystems while improving standards of living in rural communities. GW is dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and works with local people to protect natural resources and develop sustainable ways of living.

GW supports the Tropical Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) at Hato Masaguaral (HM) in the Llanos of Venezuela. HM is a private preserving reserve whose main mission is the conservation of the endemic neo-tropical fauna such the Caiman del Orinoco and ecosystems of Los Llanos of Venezuela. Both the HM and the TCEC function as one unit promoting active stewardship of the local and international community through various ongoing activities. Such projects include environmental education and awareness programs in local communities and schools, captive breeding and reintroduction programs of endangered species such the Caiman del Orinoco, and local involvement as a strong voice for the protection of the environment in Los Llanos de Venezuela and the region.

As a growing organization GW and Hato Masauaral welcome the help and knowledge of interns who are willing to whole heartedly devote their time and knowledge towards safeguarding, promoting and enforcing our main mission. Great Wilderness extends a call to interested persons to volunteer as interns with HM through the Tropical Education Centre Internship Program.

Main Goal of the Internship Program:

To offer interns first hand experience working with ongoing programs within Hato Masaguaral and in the  TCEC .

Specific Objectives:

a. Animal Managements Program

Interns will be expected to:

• Assist in the care and maintenance of endangered Orinoco Crocodile.
• Assist in wildlife interpretative tasks for Masaguaral visitors and tour groups.
• Be involved in ongoing wildlife conservation projects at the HM such as the forpus project, caiman breeding center, monitoring, reintroduction program, etc.
• Improve exhibit designs
• Assist the HM’s manager with daily activities at the Hato.

b. Environmental Education

Interns will be expected to:

• Be actively involved in introducing visiting school groups to the caiman breeding center and Hato Masaguaral
• Help in delivering and developing environmental education and awareness lessons to visiting school groups to the hato and caiman center.
• Participate in community outreach programs currently being held by the Hato Masaguaral and caiman center.

Other activities

 Interns will be expected to

1. Write grants and participate in fundraising campaigns
2. Update Masaguaral’s website
3. Develop a network nationally and international for Masaguaral’s conservation initiatives

Responsibilities:

Interns will be responsible for:

• All travel arrangement to and from the country of origin including visas and other travel documents and transportation cost from their point of entry to the TCEC.
• Respecting the rules and regulation for HM staff, proper work ethics and proper dress codes for the task assigned e.g. interns working with animal management are encourage to wear long trousers, shirts with long sleeves and properly covered foot wear.
• Signing a disclaimer that relieves GW and HM’s Tropical Education Centre of any responsibilities to interns traveling on their own or interns who decide to part take in activities outside of those specified by their program’s supervisor.
• Keeping a journal of their internship experience and presenting an electronic copy to GW and HM prior to departure.

Hato Masaguaral will be responsible to:

• Provide trained personnel to work and guide the intern during their stay
• Offer a secure working environment to the interns
• Answer any queries or concerns about their assigned task or responsibilities
• Provide intern with certificate of achievement upon successful completion of the program.

Duration of Internship:

The internship program is designed for no less than three months; however, the time can be extended based on the interests and needs of the intern. (See video) 

To apply please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it