Your Practicum in Canada:
The Chilcotin Ark Institute, a non-profit, is located in the Chilcotin Ark, a unique place for nature and wildlife due to the diverse combination of ecosystems. We are committed to sustainable land management, stewardship and conservation of wildlife of this unique environment. To do so, we facilitate and conduct participatory action research and conservation projects.
Your practicum combines nature conservation with personal development and nature connection. During your practicum you will experience a variety of fields such as invasive species management, habitat management, wildlife studies, proposal writing, project management, content creation, marketing, non-profit administration and eco-tourism by educating visitors and getting them involved in hands-on conservation projects in the area. Personal and professional development is a cornerstone of your practicum with ongoing support on your journey.
If you have a specific research interest or project that you would like to conduct, you have the opportunity to plan and conduct it as part of your practicum. We work together with universities and facilitate co-op terms. Our ranch-based research centre and remote satellite research stations in the Chilcotin Ark in British Columbia, Canada are the ideal place to facilitate your project.
We are flexible with the start date and will also support you with the visa process.
Job description:
We have different opportunities to join us depending on your studies and interests. You can also combine different areas. You will have the opportunity to gain experience in the following areas including, but not limited to:
Conservation:
● Implement the Chilcotin Ark’s mission and objectives, involving all community partners
● Coordinate stewardship and resource management projects
● Develop citizen science projects for the collection of wildlife data, to educate guests and the public about conservation and get them involved in conservation projects
● Participate in hands on conservation projects such as removal of invasive plant species or monitoring of white bark pine.
● Collect and analyze data on wilderness trips
● Respond to consultations and referrals and organize meetings with relevant stakeholders
● Organize research projects with universities and other institutions
● Manage ongoing stewardship and resource management projects, plan future projects and secure funding for the Institute’s projects
● Complete land plans including wildlife, land and resource management
● Research wildlife studies that support regulation and management of wildlife
Non-profit Administration/Marketing:
● Organize meetings and schedules
● Recruitment and Coordination of Volunteers
● Organize meetings with relevant stakeholders
● Educate the public about our conservation projects and the Chilcotin Ark
● Support and facilitate the implementation of conservation projects
● Content creation for different Marketing channels, e.g. Social media, websites, newsletter, signs
● Create newsletters, email campaigns, online promotions, etc
● Organize volunteers to create content to share on social media
● Develop educational material, e.g. Brochures, posters, signs, online courses, websites
Sustainable Forestry:
If you would like to focus on Sustainable Forestry, you can focus on the following areas:
● Plan cut blocks and identify trees for select logging
● Use equipment like chainsaw, skidder, Cat and logging truck
● Skid trees to landing by mechanical or horse logging
● Buck and limb trees to specification
● Educate yourself on government regulations and communicate with forestry management
● Learn specification to mill standards and work the sawmill
● Manage carbon storage sequestration opportunities on all levels
● Engage in habitat enhancement and manage the woodlot from a conservation perspective
Requirements:
The requirement for staying with us is your commitment to your Personal Development and to contribute to our self-sufficient community. You are ready to view challenges as opportunities to grow and learn and take initiative to leave your comfort zone. Our priority is to create a community where we believe the best of each other, want the best for each other and hold one another accountable - If you share this approach you are ready to join us.
Benefits:
● Live by our Six Principle Philosophy of Nature Connection, Nature Conservation, Personal Development, Self-
Sufficiency, Empowerment, and Conscious & Aware.
● Your Personal Development is the priority of your experience, so we facilitate the environment and
material for you to grow and evolve towards your best self.
● You become part of our international community where we support each other in our goals and mission and
share our personal experiences on a daily basis.
● Participate in hands-on conservation projects using horses to access the backcountry sustainably for field research.
● Develop your skills in being flexible and adaptable, resilience, leadership, efficiency, team work,
problem-solving, responsibility, initiative-taking, commitment and keeping a positive attitude no
matter the challenge.
● You will live and work in a remote wilderness environment and experience a new lifestyle, where
you reconnect with nature and yourself.
● Develop your self-sufficiency skills and learn how to embrace the lifestyle in the remote wilderness by growing and harvesting our own food, maintaining our gravity-fed water system, backcountry navigation, wood heat and more.
● We share our home with horses, chickens, cats, dogs and the resident wildlife
● You create your own work schedule that meets your interests and moves you towards your goals.
Find out more:
https://chilcotinarkinstitute.com/
Want to know how your practicum could look like? Watch this video: