Volunteers Field Assistance Needed

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Volunteers are needed immediately to help a graduate student conduct field research in Death Valley National Park (DEVA) on an invasive weed (Russian thistle) and an endangered native species (Eureka Valley evening-primrose). Multiple related projects will take place from May 2012 until September, 2013. Volunteers are needed for any part of projects.

Project 1: Eureka Valley evening-primrose counts - May 21st-28th, 2012
Spend a few days or up to a week at the beautiful Eureka Valley sand dunes in DEVA to help estimate the population of the endangered Eureka Valley evening-primrose. Learn to use distance-sampling techniques to count individual plants and quadrat sampling techniques to estimate plant cover. Hike from 5 to 12 miles per day across sand fields and climb dunes.

Project 2: Rabbit herbivory of vegetation at Eureka Valley
Rabbits feed on the endangered evening-primrose as well as other plant species in Eureka Valley. This study will observe rabbit foraging behavior and forage selectivity over time to assess potential effects of herbivory on the evening-primrose population and other plant species in the sand dune community. Data collection includes counting tracks, fecal pellet clusters, and plant species in herbivory plots. Learn or improve your skills in identifying plant species and animal tracks. Data sampling of evidence of rabbit herbivory on the plant community surrounding the main dunes of Eureka Valley will occur monthly from May 2012 – September 2013, and twice a month between months of May – June. Each trip will be 2-3 days long where we will be walking up to 6 miles per day across sand fields.

Project 3: Russian thistle counts
Invasive Russian thistle plants are abundantly found along park roadsides and wilderness areas. This project monitors the spread of and change in populations of thistles along roadsides and in wilderness. This is about a week long trip during early June to count and weed thistles. Come explore parts of the park off the beaten path of the typical DEVA visitor.

For all projects, volunteers must be physically able to withstand working long hours (about 10hrs/day) in the heat (from 85-110F) and keep their wits about them to carefully record data. We will be camping in field sites where most locations have few to no amenities. Some camping equipment may be supplied to volunteers. Volunteers either meet at field sites or in Bishop, CA where project headquarters is located. Only transportation between headquarters and field sites will be provided. Must be okay with a flexible schedule.

Please email a CV or resume. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks!

Elaine
ekych(a)ucdavis.edu