Dear Colleagues,
Please find following Pacific Vacancies - Announcement No. 2001/ 12
For those interested in applying - Good luck!
Wilco Liebregts
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ECO-CONSULT PACIFIC NOW HAS MORE THAN 650 PACIFIC ISLAND SPECIALISTS ON ITS
DATABASE. IN ADDITION, WE ALSO HAVE AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF INDIVIDUALS AND
ORGANISATIONS IN THE PACIFIC REGION FROM WHERE WE CAN SOURCE EXPERTISE.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.pacificforum.com/ecoconsult
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ECO-CONSULT PACIFIC appreciates a reference to its Pacific Vacancy
Announcement Service if you decide to send in an application.
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WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER NEEDED FOR PLANT MANAGEMENT PROJECTS IN MAURITIUS WITH
THE MAURITIAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
Starting from March 2001 for six months to one year.
The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is a highly successful Non-Governmental
Organisation working to save the globally endangered flora and fauna of
Mauritius and Rodrigues. Notable successes include the conservation of the
Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon and echo parakeet and ecosystem restoration
projects in Mauritius, its offshore islets and Rodrigues.
Plant Conservation Projects
We are seeking a motivated plant ecologist with an interest in invasive
species management to work together with our MWF weed ecologist on the
following current and future programmes on Ile aux Aigrettes (a 25 ha.
island close to the Mauritian mainland that we are currently restoring) and
on the Mauritian mainland:
1. Quantification of the weed potential of Flacourtia indica on Ile
aux Aigrettes. Flacourtia indica is one of the most serious weeds on Ile aux
Aigrettes. Very little is known about its basic ecology on the island.
Investigations are currently under way on such parameters as growth rate,
seed production and contribution to the soil seed bank.
2. Comparison of manual, chemical and integrated control strategies
for weed management on Ile aux Aigrettes. Investigations are ongoing into
the effects of the different strategies on native and non-native plant
regeneration and on the cost-effectiveness of management.
3. Impact of giant tortoises on the flora of Ile aux Aigrettes.
Pristine Mauritius once had two species of giant tortoise, which were the
main large herbivores present on the island. Both species are now extinct
but clearly would have had a major impact on the Mauritian ecosystem. In an
effort to simulate this effect, Aldabran tortoises were released into an
enclosed area on Ile aux Aigrettes in November. Their effects on the native
and introduced vegetation are being investigated.
4. The impact of introduced plants on the native ecosystems of the
Mauritian upland forest. Although information exists on the impact of weeds
on native vegetation in Mauritius few quantitative studies have been
undertaken as yet. This program will establish a priority ranking of weeds
in terms of criteria such as current extent, rate of spread and ease of
control in different ecological zones.
The programs WILL NOT involve long hours of manual weeding!!!! We have
long-term staff available for this.
Requirements
Applicants should be able to key plants to genus and species and have some
experience of plant propagation methods and ecological methodologies. They
must be willing to learn, work in a team, maintain a good attitude, have the
ability to walk across rough terrain and work long field hours. Data
analysis, data presentation and report writing skills are also necessary.
You will also need a clean driving license. Minimum age 21.
Experience gained
You will gain practical experience of weed management, nursery management,
ecosystem restoration, data analysis and presentation, working as a team
member, and group dynamics.
Expenses & living conditions
We cannot pay travel costs to and from Mauritius. Accommodation and relevant
field equipment are provided. You will need binoculars, a compass and field
clothes. You will be based on Ile aux Aigrettes most of the time. The island
has a small house and a bunkhouse. You will have to share rooms with others.
As part of our restoration project the successful applicant will have the
chance to work on Round Island for at least a month. Round Island is a much
more remote island than Ile aux Aigrettes. It has suffered a massive loss of
vegetation because of the activities of introduced rabbits and goats (now
eradicated). We are at the beginning phase of a project to restore the
island.
In addition to Ile aux Aigrettes, we have field stations in four locations
in the Black River Gorges National Park and a house on the Mauritian
mainland for aviary staff and for rest & recuperation for other field staff.
We are currently in the planning stage for the construction of a Round
Island field station. It will be ready by the time the restoration project
begins (May 2001).
We generally advise people to bring the equivalent of about 200 pounds
sterling monthly living expenses.
Although people start as pure volunteers it is sometimes possible to raise a
local salary six months after arriving. However, there can be no guarantee
of this.
Volunteers often go on to pursue post-graduate degrees following on from the
project they were working in or in a linked area. Once again there can be no
guarantee of this.
What to expect
Long field days, tropical sun, tropical seas and tropical rain, meeting new
people, and learning about new places, some of the rarest birds, plants,
reptiles and bats in the world.
Position open until filled. APPLY ASAP.
Contact for further details
Dr John Mauremootoo
Plant Conservation Manager
Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
Black River Office
Avenue Bois des Billes
La Preneuse
Mauritius
e-mail cjmaure@...
Send a covering letter, a CV and letters of recommendation (or names of
referees to contact). Please include the dates you are available.
Further details can be provided upon request.
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PLEASE NOTE:
ECO-CONSULT PACIFIC provides this vacancy announcement to those specialists
on our database who have provided us with an email address. The service is
provided free of charge. Unless otherwise indicated, ECO-CONSULT PACIFIC
will not be involved in the selection process, nor in any of the
negotiations for the position, and will not claim any charges from the
specialists.
The vacancies are obtained from regional and international organisations,
magazines, newspapers and colleagues. Although we will do our best to relate
to you the details on the positions as they have been provided to us, it is
possible that some information may be incorrect. ECO-CONSULT PACIFIC
advises those interested in a vacancy to contact the advertising
organisation directly for specific details on the position. ECO-CONSULT
PACIFIC will not accept any liability for incorrect information.
Although we now have more than 650 email recipients for 'Pacific Vacancies',
your address will remain confidential.
If you do not want to receive the vacancy announcements, please follow the
instructions below to unsubscribe from the mailing list. Of course, you can
always join again later....
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Eco-Consult Pacific
P.O. Box 5406
Raiwaqa Post Office, Suva
FIJI ISLANDS
Tel/Fax (679) - 322 607
