Agency Sponsor: Elizabeth Howard, eahoward@ucsc.edu
If Interested, submit the Younger Lagoon Reserve 2-Unit Songbird Banding Internship Application. This is an unpaid internship.
# of Interns:
- Fall 2025: Sponsoring 3-5 interns enrolling in ENVS 84, 83, 183 and 183A/183B.
- Winter 2026: Sponsoring 3-5 interns enrolling in ENVS 84, 83, 183 and 183A/183B.
- Spring 2026: Sponsoring 3-5 interns enrolling in ENVS 84, 83, 183, 183A/183B.
Agency Description:
Younger Lagoon Reserve is part of the UC Natural Reserve System, a collection of protected natural areas throughout California used for university-level teaching, research, and public service. Student interns conduct native habitat restoration and biological monitoring at the reserve. Prospective interns should be prepared for repetitive, physical work in inclement conditions.
Intern Responsibilities:
Interns will assist at the Younger Lagoon Reserve Songbird Banding Station for six hours on Friday mornings starting an hour before sunrise. Interns will assist with net set and open, data collection, and weekly operational tasks such as feeding traps and washing bird bags. Students will be trained in safe handling techniques and may progress to extracting birds from traps, processing banded birds, and releasing processed birds. Depending on intern aptitude and station capacity, interns may learn how to extract birds from mist nets and/or how to place a band. The highest priority is given to animal welfare.
Other Requirements:
An academic background in birds required (e.g. must have taken Natural History of Birds, Ornithology, or similar course).
Intern Shifts:
Interns must be available for 6 hours on Friday mornings starting an hour before sunrise.
Location: Younger Lagoon Reserve, 145 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Key Words: Biodiversity Conservation, Ecology/Natural History, Insects/Wildlife