Woodland Conservation Internships

Killarney National Park,

Muckross, Killarney, Co. Kerry

Ireland

Tel: 353 64 6635211 or 6635215

 

This is an exciting oportunity for students to partake in a woodland conservation project at Killarney National Park 

The work involved requires a good level of fitness as it is outdoors and involves working in woodlands on mountainous terrain

Rainwear and good footwear (boots) are important

Students are required to provide their own insurance

 

This is a fulltime project that runs for 12 months of the year. Students normally work with one of the Park Rangers and can on occasions be involved in different aspects of the work programme. At present there is a major rhododendron clearance programme going on in the park utilising a variety of methods.

Interns work 4-5 days per week (weather permitting) from 10.00 – 16.00 with one-hour lunch break. The work involves removing the invasive rhododendron plant from priority habitat woodlands and heathlands and can involve the picking of seedlings, stem treating rhododendron with small hand held axes, cutting saplings with secateurs and applying minute amounts of herbicide with handheld applicators. Survey work can also be part of the programme on occasions.

Students will have time to pursue their own areas of interest or work on a specific project. Students have the weekends off and are not required to work on days when the weather is inclement.

There will also be some opportunities to experience other aspects of the park. On days when volunteers are not involved with the ranger work programme they are expected to work on their own initiative and make the most of their time in the park, as we are not in a position to provide constant supervision. The work programme and days of involvement can change from time to time depending on weather, circumstances, etc.

The placement is subject to the student’s ability to fit in with the work programme and the park authorities reserve the right to terminate the arrangement if the person is found to be unsuitable.

Students should have the ability to work on their own or as part of a team and should not expect to be directed all of the time.

 

Students are offered free accommodation in small park hostels but are responsible for their own food and bed linen, blankets, duvets, etc. Washing and drying facilities for clothes is available in the hostels. The accommodation is 10 minutes-walk from the nearest shop, 15 minutes-walk to the ranger base and approximately 30 minutes-walk from Killarney town. Pets of any description are not allowed in the accommodation. Smoking is forbidden in all public buildings and work places in Ireland by law.

 

Students must have insurance cover for the duration of their stay in the park.

All the applications should be accompanied by CV indicating the period that they wish to work in the park. Minimum internship period 2 month.

Bus Services:    http://www.buseireann.ie

Rail Services:    http://www.irishrail.ie

Airlines:             http://www.aerlingus.com    http://www.ryanair.com

Taxis from Killarney to Accommodation – approximately 10 euro.

Taxi Rank: 064 6631331.   Killarney Cabs: 064 6637444

Contact person: Peter O’Toole, Conservation Ranger, Tel: +353 87 6781614

Email: Peter.O'[email protected]