Wilderness Interns

Bleak Taylor Ranch Field Station Wilderness Internships

Wilderness Internships provide excellent opportunities for University of Idaho undergraduate students to get hands-on experience while learning about the ecology of the Idaho wilderness. Wildlife biologists and station managers Jim and Holly Akenson teach interns field research and monitoring techniques and wilderness skills.  Students have an opportunity to participate in research activities with other field station scientists.  Students help with field station maintenance to defray their lodging expenses.                          
   
The Ralph M. Bleak Endowment Fund established by Clara Bleak provides funding for this 10-week summer program designed to give students hands-on experience in a breadth of field techniques for natural resource research and management. This internship provides 3 students with the training and field experience necessary for careers in natural resources. Gaining more than just work experience, student interns learn traditional ways of living and working in the backcountry.  Last year student interns were involved in these activities:

• using GPS, maps, and compass 
• identifying plants and plant communities
• radio telemetry and tracking wolves 
• measuring annual vegetation production
• sampling aquatic invertebrates and stream substrates
• monitoring noxious weed spread and containment
• using remote cameras and hair snags to monitor black bears
• giving presentations and leading discussions on ecological topics 
• assisting student researchers with marmot research, elk calf survival research, fishermen surveys, and stream bed geology
• survey whitebark pine communities for reproduction, mortality, and blister rust
• learning about the process of archaeological discovery and documentation
• interacting with visiting researchers and graduate students at the barbecue pit
• snorkel survey for fish 
• putting up hay with mule teams and pitchforks
• packing and riding mules in the backcountry
• using traditional tools such as crosscut saws
• traditional archery - a "new" Taylor Ranch tradition

Application

Student Intern Photos   
        Photo Gallery of Interns from 1999 through 2002
        Photo Gallery of Interns from 2003 and 2004
        Photo Gallery of Interns 2005
        Intern Diary 2005  
        Photo Gallery of Interns 2006   

Taylor Interns
    2009 - Joel Ruprecht, Janette Rounds, Ryan Blackadar, Jacob Johnson    
    2008 - Kristen Pilcher, Delmar Day, Calla Hagle  
    2007 - Luke Cerise, Scott Fereday, Mindy McAllister, Tracy Buchanan
    2006 - Brad Tucker, Ashley Lange, Holly Tuers
    2005 - Neal Richards, Sara Jones, Melissa Lamb
    2004 - Greg Hansen, Anna Pierce, Cinnamon Robinson
    2003 - Corey Shake, Troy Hinck, Mackenzie Shardlow
    2002 - Tyler Morrison, Amie-June Brumble, Nathan Borg
    2001 - Dave Speten, Josh Holloway, Andrea Bristol
    2000 - Ken Hobson, Jeremy Kleinsmith, Sam Cooney
    1999 - Ken Clark, Renan Bagley, Crystal Strobl
    1998 - Jennifer Roger, Matt Jones