Young tree huggers may apply

The National Park Service's Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is recruiting a college-ageTREE and SHRUB intern.

Teens Restoring Endangered Ecosystems (TREE) and Students Helping Restore Unique Biomes (SHRUB) programs of SMMNRA are educational programs designed for elementary and middle school students. The TREE and SHRUB intern will assist with both programs which take place on Thursdays and some Saturdays at Rancho Sierra Vista-Satwiwa in Newbury Park.

Interns will assist with logistics, site preparation and maintenance, hands-on lessons and student supervision.

The 5th grade SHRUB program involves 50 to 60 students visiting the park every month to restore a 1/4-acre plot of land. Students also participate in natural history lessons, 1-hour hikes and are trained to develop and present programs related to their yearlong study. The TREE program for middle school students also focuses on hands-on habitat restoration work in the park and plant propogation activities at the school's plant nursery, said Sheila Braden, NPS ranger.

Requirements:

* Background in biology, botany, ecology or education is beneficial
* Current college enrollment or recent graduation from college
* Interest in restoration ecology and education
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Minimum 16 hours/week; additional hours may also be available. However, must be available on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1::30 p.m. to assit with scheduled school program.
* Housing not vailable
* Must provide own transportation to restoration site in Newbury Park

Work Site and Condtions:

* Programs will take place at Rancho Sierra Vista-Satwiwa or at local schools
* Position can involve strenuous field work including mortorized augering and brush-cutting, digging and carrying equipment/supplies weighing up to 25 pounds. Interns must be in good physical shape

To apply:Send letter of application, resume, three references and unoffical transcript by email to:

sheila_braden@nps.gov, or postal mail to Sheila Braden, National Parkl Service, 401 W. Hillcest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360