We have two exciting research & service internship positions available to students interested in forest ecology and old-growth forests. Students earning one of these internships will conduct botanical surveys in the historical plots of Lilley Cornett Woods and lead weekly public hikes explaining the value and unique attributes of old-growth forests.

Forest research has been conducted in the permanent plots of Lilley Cornett Woods once a decade for nearly 40 yrs. These studies have taught us much about the dynamics of forest through time. There are few data sets with greater history and species richness than the data available from Lilley Cornett Woods.

However, significant environmental change is now taking place in periods as short as five years. For example, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) has caused significant mortality in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in roughly 5 yrs. Unfortunately, HWA has been found at Lilley Cornett Woods and is threatening the lives of 300 to 400+ year old eastern hemlock trees. Therefore, one of the goals of these intern positions is to initiate annual surveys of Lilley Cornett Woods so we can better understand the dynamics of ecosystems in the southern Appalachian Mountains and Cumberland Plateau. The Summer 2009 Old-growth Forest Internship position will represent the leading edge in these studies.

If you are interested in this position, please contact Dr. Neil Pederson and submit a cover letter and resume by April 1st.

Preferences will be given to students interested in botany, old-growth forests and experience with identification of woody plants of the mixed-mesophytic forest. Details for this summers position is listed below.

Application Due Date: April 1st

Starting Date: late-May, 2009
Internship Duration: up to 12 weeks
Hours Per Week: flexible, up to 30 hrs
Pay: $10/hr

Eligibility: an undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled at EKU for Fall 2009. Students from other universities are eligible for this position if enrolled in a summer course at EKU during Summer Session II. Please contact Dr. Pederson if you are a student not currently enrolled at EKU for more details.

Position Responsibilities: As a team, you will survey seedlings, saplings and trees in eastern hemlock-dominated permanent plots at Lilley Cornett Woods. Once a week you will lead guided hikes into Big Everidge Hollow in Lilley Cornett Woods educating people on the value and unique attributes of eastern old-growth forests.

Accommodations: An apartment is available at Lilley Cornett Woods for overnights. It is anticipated that one would not have to spend no more than 3 nights/week at Lilley Cornett Woods. These details will be worked out during interviews.

Please contact Dr. Neil Pederson for more information.

Funding: Funding for these positions is graciously provided by Dr. Melinda Wilder, Director of EKU's Division of Natural Areas.