Climate Change Interns Sought for Haleakalā Silversword Research

Haleakalā silversword landscape. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

Local college seniors and recent college graduates have an opportunity to work and learn alongside professionals at Haleakalā National Park under a new Climate Change Internship position.

Students selected for the program will assist with research and public outreach concerning climate change impacts on the viability and population of the threatened ‘āhinahina or silversword plant, a park announcement said.

Haleakalā silversword. Photo by Wendy Osher.

“The intern will receive scientific direction and training from Dr. Paul Krushelnycky, of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and will also work directly with the Resources Management and Interpretation staff from Haleakalā National Park to accomplish the goals of the program,” park officials said in the internship announcement.

The first phase of the year-long internship is set to start on September 2, 2013.

According to the announcement, the selected intern will receive a living allowance of $280 per week, and will be eligible for an AmeriCorps Educational Award that can be applied towards higher education costs, such as payment towards student loans.

Applications are available at the Student Conservation Association website at www.thesca.org/serve/internships under the position number #PO-00225966.

Additional parameters:

• To be eligible for the program, candidates must be a resident of Hawaiʻi.
• According to the announcement, “Preferred applicants are those who have graduated within the past two years with a degree in botany, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.”
• Declared seniors may also apply, but must be working towards an undergraduate degree in one of the above fields.
• Work is full-time status for the duration of the program.

The internship is made possible through Haleakalā National Park in partnership with the Hau‘oli Mau Loa Foundation, which provided grant funding for the project.

Haleakalā climate change. Photo by Wendy Osher.