Grassland Ecology Internship (Botany Focus)

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) is offering 3 internships for current students, or recent graduates, with interest and experience in plant identification in grassland ecosystems. All interns will join local field crews working to assess plant communities and grassland health using a variety of survey methods at multiple bison restoration sites in Northern Montana under the Inter-Tribal Grasslands Network (ITGN), a collaboration between Tribally managed bison restoration efforts (Fort Peck, Fort Belknap, Rocky Boy, Confederated Salish and Kootenai, and Blackfeet Nation) and Tribal College STEM departments (Fort Peck Community College, Aaniiih Nakoda College, Stone Child College, Salish Kootenai College, and Blackfeet Community College) with research support from Smithsonian scientists. 

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable field experience working in grassland systems under the mentorship of Smithsonian Ecologists. The cohort of 2026 Interns will make valuable contributions to the historic launch of the first Inter-Tribal Long-term Ecological Research Network focused on sustainable management of grassland ecosystems, the most critically endangered habitat in the world.

For more information on the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, visit:

• Main Website: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/conservation 
• Great Plains Science Program: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/restoring-americas-prairie

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Interns will be split between 3 regional crews in Northern Montana:

• East – stationed at Fort Peck with one overnight trip to American Prairie
• Central – stationed at Ft. Belknap Indian Community and Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation
• West – stationed at Blackfeet Nation and Confederated Salish and Kootenai

Housing will be provided at the end of field season, during which time 3 botany interns will work as a team to process collected specimens they were unable to identify in the field.

Through this internship, the intern will learn to:

• Apply skills in plant identification
• Apply conservation techniques and survey protocols
• Use of camera traps, soil, vegetation, acoustic, and scat surveys for ecological monitoring
• Discuss and present collaborative conservation projects to diverse audiences
• Navigate in remote landscape with 4x4 vehicles and on foot
• Compile and manage botanical specimens and data

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Enrollment in or recent completion of a B.S. or M.S. in Botany, Plant Ecology, Rangeland Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or a closely related field
• Coursework in plant taxonomy and/or plant systematics
• Demonstrated experience identifying plants to species using dichotomous keys
• Experience conducting vegetation surveys or ecological fieldwork
• Experience using regional floras or taxonomic keys (e.g., ability to navigate technical botanical manuals)
• Strong organizational skills for managing plant data, specimens, and field notes, including experience using Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to hike long distances over uneven terrain and work in variable weather conditions

Preferred:

• Ability to work independently in remote field conditions
• Demonstrated ability to train or mentor peers in plant identification or field methods

TERM OF APPOINTMENT 

3 months, May  25th until August 14th.

COMPENSATION 

$800 per week + per diem when traveling away from home communities; travel costs reimbursed by Smithsonian Institution.