Bat Internships


Volunteer Opportunities (Austin Area Only)


There are many ways for volunteers to become involved with 
BCI, from conservation work afield to educational programs 
and public events. For most of these activities you don’t 
need prior experience, we can provide training. All you 
need is a sincere interest in bats and BCI’s mission and a 
desire to learn more. However, most activities do require a 
personal vehicle.Please read through the list of opportunities 
below and contact Nicole Daspit if you are willing to help. 
(512) 327-9721 

WHAT ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP WITH? 

1. Public Outreach
  *Participating in special events, expositions, 
   festivals, workshops, etc.

  *Giving bat programs to schools, and community 
   groups, using BCI visuals (training will be provided)

  *Distributing BCI literature 

  *Writing pre-approved articles for BCI’s magazine, 
   BATS

  *Collecting and researching for press clippings 
   on bats and BCI.

  *Writing “Letters-to-the-Editor” in local papers 
   as needed



2. Conservation Activities
  *Assisting in the production of bat houses

  *Putting up bat houses in parks, ranches, and other 
   designated areas

  *Examining bridges for bats with BCI biologists



3. Administration, Library Science, & Visual Resources
  *Clerical support: Copying and filing documents, 
   folding & stuffing mailouts

  *Data entry: Computer work for several staff

  *Library assistants: Data entry, reading & filing 
   books and scientific papers

  *Visual resources: Archiving & coding photos and 
   slides



4. Bracken Bat Cave & Nature Reserve Campaign
 
  *Fund raising assistance (mail-outs, phone calls, 
   research)

  *Media relations & outreach (mail-outs, email & 
   written correspondence, phone calls)

  *Assisting with campaign special events 

  *Site-improvement labor (cedar-removal, trail 
   building, and native grass seeding) 


BENEFITS OF GETTING INVOLVED
 
Become part of the Austin team that is working toward the 
worldwide goal of bat and bat habitat education. As part 
of this group of dedicated conservationists, you will be 
able to further your knowledge about how economically and 
ecologically indispensable bats really are! 


Other cool by-products of volunteering with BCI:
 
  *be a part of a leading wildlife conservation 
   organization

  *an opportunity to participate in one of our 
   tours of Bracken bat cave

  *occasional visits with Zoe, our leading "ambatsador"

  *chance of a lifetime to get "up close and 
   personal" with bats

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Flying Foxes



INTERNS & STUDENTS

The Cape Tribulation Tropical Research Station provides 
opportunities for students who wish to examine aspects 
of the biology, geography, sociology, or other aspects 
of this lowland wet tropical environment. It does so 
through the provision of internships or student placements.

The Station subsidizes student and internships costs; 
they are lower than costs to researchers and include a 
significant proportion of Station staff time and involvement. 



  

    


Student Placements


These are usually undertaken as part of programs such as that provided by the School for International Training (SIT), or as part of other Institutional programs, which require that a student undertake a supervised research project, usually extending over a 3-4 week period.



Student placements are usually 1 month in duration, but can be longer, depending on the project undertaken.


Internships


Internships have a much higher proportion of station volunteer responsibilities in addition to the research project, and most internship placements have the advantage of a longer opportunity to work on their projects. Interns will usually spend 50% of their time on research projects and the remainder on Station projects as a volunteer. The idea is that the intern will be exposed to a wider range of activities than would a student, who will of necessity, be highly focused on the research problem at hand.


Student placements and internships are provided full room and board at the Station, access to Station laboratory facilities (computers, library, microscopes, field equipment, etc), and laboratory bench space as required, as well as a minimum of 6 hours/week supervision (students), or 3 hours (interns). Those undertaking a student placement will be expected to spend 100% of their time on the project, be responsible for general cleaning around the laboratory and accommodation, and assist with kitchen duties.




Limitations


The Station can usually accommodate a maximum of 3 students or interns at any one time (more depending on weather, accommodations and the type of project).



Students and interns should not expect access to vehicles - most projects can be carried out within walking distance of the Station.



E-mail, web access and telephone are not usually available for personal use by visitors.


We must have at least a week's notice of specific requirements, particularly dietary. We prefer residents who are prepared to eat a wholesome low meat diet.


We do not have wheelchair access and most field research in the wet tropics is not really suitable for wheelchair-bound individuals.


      
 
  


  

    


HOW TO APPLY

 

Please Email 
 a letter of interest to us, not as an attachment, (don't forget to include your return E-mail address!); an infrequent post makes answering letters a lengthy process. We prefer volunteers to be at least 25-years-old, unless you feel you have skills, which you think we might need (e.g. field experience). Volunteers will be expected to contribute wherever they are needed, and it will not always be possible to provide research experience during a visit, although every effort will be made to do so.





  

    


Please write well in advance of your proposed time of visit and highlight your interests (i.e. visitor interpretation, construction, rainforest regeneration, etc.), and also your qualifications and relevant skills. Tell us what you can do for us and what we can do for you, employment history, and maybe what your ideal job might be. Read the rest of the web pages (especially
 How You Can help?) before applying!


From researchers we would appreciate a C.V. and a list of project interests.


We are aware that it is almost impossible for overseas students to pick a project suitable for the wet tropics, unless they have some advice or actual experience. However, Station staff can assist in this, and there are some projects that students can contribute to. The one important thing to realize about this region, is that almost nothing has been studied in any depth, and the list of possible projects is endless.



Students with particular interests who can gain external funding for their specific projects are welcome to apply, provided the Station facilities can cater to their needs. Please direct your inquiries to the Director.


Because of the constraints imposed by the Queensland and Australian National Parks and Wildlife Departments, projects requiring direct animal experimentation and manipulation cannot be supported, (unless they are linked to current research activities of the Station).


Prospective researchers should outline their research programs (and their level of financial support) in sufficient detail to allow the Station to assess them for their suitability for the facilities available and for the area. If they are not considered suitable, then we will suggest modifications or suggest an alternative venue. They should also outline their needs for National Parks and other permits; the Station Director may be able to assist in getting them. Researchers, especially long-term ones, are requested to contribute labor toward the Station's operation where needed.

      
 
  


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