View the BRITE Internship - Partner Organization Evergreen Statements below. Contact partner organizations directly to discuss potential internships. If any internship opportunities are of interest, please contact the BRITE coordinator (biodiversity.brite@ubc.ca) with questions and for organization contact info.
There is no deadline to submit full applications to the committee, however successful applications will be funded on a first-come first-served basis.
BC MINISTRY OF FORESTS
The Ministry of Forests is responsible for supporting a sustainable and competitive future for B.C.’s forest sector, while taking action to keep forests healthy and protect communities in the face of climate change and extreme weather events.
Contact: Tanya Hoesing, Program Lead
Skills that may be required: field work, research proposal development, short study/assessment, data collection, data/statistical analysis, GIS analysis, policy analysis, survey design, model development
Description of potential internship opportunities: B.C.’s north is a great place to develop your career in the natural resource sector. Our employees have excellent opportunities in a wide array of work experiences.
BC MINISTRY OF WATER, LAND AND RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP -- BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEMS BRANCH
The Biodiversity and Ecosystems Branch within the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship is responsible for supporting collaborative stewardship of biodiversity, habitat and healthy ecosystems with innovative policy and applied science.
Contact: Kim Richardson
Desirable skills may include: field work, research proposal development, literature review, short study/assessment, data collection, data (especially spatial data) science and statistical analysis, GIS analysis, policy analysis, model development, writing, visual and oral communication.
Description of potential internship opportunities:
The branch consists of over 40 staff involved in a diversity of work, from field research on plant and wildlife species, to provincial policy and legislation related to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. Prospective interns may contact the Branch to explore potential internship opportunities. Examples of work that the intern may engage in include, but are not limited to:
- Supporting the development of conservation prioritization frameworks and tools
- Developing empirical, spatial models of wildlife habitat and biodiversity
- Assessing and improving ecosystem and wildlife habitat conservation policy
- Weaving indigenous and western knowledge to support conservation initiatives
- Supporting the designation of conservation areas
Location and terms of employment can be flexible.
BC MINISTRY OF WATER, LAND AND RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP -- CARIBOU RECOVERY PROGRAM
The Caribou Recovery Program within the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring management actions and provincial strategies to achieve caribou population and habitat objectives.
Contact: Tyler Muhly
Desirable skills may include: field work, research proposal development, literature review, short study/assessment, data collection, data (especially spatial data) science and statistical analysis, GIS analysis, policy analysis, engagement and facilitation, writing, visual and oral communication.
Description of potential internship opportunities: The caribou recovery program consists of over 40 staff that support caribou recovery across British Columbia. They deliver a diverse range of work related to caribou habitat and population management, science and public engagement and planning. Prospective interns may contact the program to explore potential internship opportunities. Examples of work that the intern may engage in include, but are not limited to:
- Developing and applying science to assess and implement caribou habitat restoration
- Supporting the designation of conservation areas for caribou
- Developing empirical, spatial models of caribou habitat
- Assessing and improving caribou conservation policy
- Weaving indigenous and western knowledge to support caribou recovery initiatives
Location and terms of employment can be flexible.
BIRDS CANADA
Birds Canada is a non-profit, charitable organization built on the enthusiastic contributions of thousands of caring members and volunteer Citizen
Scientists. Our mission is to drive action to increase the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of birds in Canada.
Contact: David Bradley, BC Director
Essential skills required: short study/assessment, field skills, volunteer management, data collection
Optional skills required: bird handling/banding, study design, time management
Description of potential internship opportunities: In 2025, Birds Canada is looking to host a BRITE student intern to lead a field study of Tree Swallows at Iona Beach Regional Park involving the capture and banding of adult birds from nest boxes, and attaching Motus tags to assess the birds’ local-scale foraging movements utilizing the Motus Wildlife Tracking System. The main goal of the study is to provide habitat restoration guidance to Metro Vancouver Parks as they upgrade the Iona Water Treatment Plant. This internship position will involve regular checking of the existing nest boxes to assess optimal timing for captures, as well as coordinating volunteers to assist on the project. It is anticipated that the internship role will take place over 6-8 weeks between April 20-June20.
CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY (CPAWS)
Established in 1963, CPAWS has played a leadership role in creating over two-thirds of Canada’s protected areas. CPAWS’ long-term vision is to protect at least half of our public land and ocean in a framework of reconciliation – for the benefit of both wildlife and humans.
Contact: Anna Pidgorna, National Senior Conservation Coordinator
Essential skills required: literature review, short study/assessment, data/statistical analysis, policy analysis
Optional skills required: GIS analysis, funding/grant proposal, model development
Description of potential internship opportunities: CPAWS is looking to host a BRITE student intern to lead on a project identifying potential terrestrial candidate OECMs (other effective area-based conservation measures) as well as assessing their estimated contribution to conserving 30% of Canada’s terrestrial areas by 2030.
CAŇO PALMA BIOLOGICAL STATION & CANADIAN ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL EDUCATION AND RAINFOREST INITIATIVE
Caño Palma Biological Station is a scientific research station in Costa Rica, operated by the non-profit Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC). Our mission is to produce theoretical and application-oriented research on tropical biodiversity, ecology, and conservation. Caño Palma hosts researchers, students, and volunteers to learn about and actively participate in conservation science, maintain and contribute to long-term databases, execute graduate and undergraduate thesis projects, and support local and regional conservation goals. For more information, please visit: https://www.coterc.org/.
Contact: Dr. Emily Khazan
Essential skills required: research proposal development, literature review, short study/assessment, data/statistical analysis, model development
Optional skills required: field work, data collection, GIS analysis, policy analysis, survey design, funding/grant proposal
Description of potential internship opportunities:
REMOTE:
1. “Data rescue” of long-term datasets (e.g., caiman, macaw, large mammal, river otter, plant phenology). This internship entails the standardization, organization, documentation and archival of data that promotes its clarity and longevity far into the future while using transparent and reproducible practises.
2. Conservation science data analysis using long-term monitoring datasets. This internship entails developing a research question to be answered using one or more of our long-term datasets, data analysis, and interpretation of results.
FIELD:
1. Contribute to data collection for long-term research and utilize the database for an independent project.
2. Creation of taxonomic lists and guides to document flora and fauna around the station. This would include literature reviews, participation in surveys at the station, species identification, and communication of findings in written and visual format (e.g., lists, field guides, report). Interns would choose a taxonomic group based on current needs of the organization and area of interest/expertise.
3. Partner with Caño Palma and the Costa Rican Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MINAE) in Tortuguero to digitize and organize all regional reports received by MINAE in a database. The student will design the database, which will be used to directly inform conservation management decisions. Proficiency in Spanish required.
CITY OF SURREY
The City of Surrey is BC's second largest city and one of the largest by area. Over a third of the City is within the Agricultural Land Reserve and supports hundreds of publicly owned parks, open spaces and natural areas. We were the first city in BC to develop and implement a Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (BCS), as well as a long-term habitat connectivity plan (the “Green Infrastructure Network” or GIN). Understanding how well biodiversity goals are being achieved within the City is integral to meeting community expectations around conservation efforts. One of the core objectives of Surrey’s BCS is to develop biodiversity metrics or indices to measure how effective conservation and planning actions have been and how effective they will be over time.
Contact: Pamela Zevit, Biodiversity Conservation Planner
Essential skills required: ability to travel to various parks and collect observations and field data, data analysis, ability to ID a range of plant, animals, and fungi
Optional/possible skills required: GIS analysis, project planning
Description of potential internship opportunities: The purpose of this position is to support the City of Surrey in its biodiversity monitoring efforts. Specifically, the curation, management and analysis of the City’s growing community science data resources (e.g., iNaturalist and eBird) and related indicator species monitoring.
Specific objectives:
- Capture, compile and support the identification of flora, fauna and fungi observations and occurrences through iNaturalist & eBird across various city parks and other city lands
- Mine relevant reports, management plans and other City records for occurrence data to add to iNaturalist and/or eBird
- Export and analyze occurrence data for various applications (e.g., spatial distribution and occurrence patterns of biodiversity indicator species, invasive species)
- Assist the City in refining a beta ArcGIS biodiversity atlas and database.
- Help with the annual City Nature Challenge and other BioBlitzes (this would be dependent on timing of the positions i.e., if they started early to mid-April).
Optional:
- Assist the City in refining a biodiversity atlas and database (designed in ArcGIS).
- Research wildlife camera trapping programs and opportunities for the City (example projects: Calgary Captured and Metro Vancouver Parks wildlife camera program*).
GLOBAL CROP DIVERSITY TRUST
The Global Crop Diversity Trust is a non-profit international organization dedicated to conserving crop diversity and making it available for use globally, forever, for the benefit of everyone.
Contact: Dr. Sarada Krishnan, Director of Programs
Possible skills required: field work, research proposal development, literature review, short study / assessment, data collection, data/statistical analysis, GIS analysis, policy analysis, survey design, model development, funding/grant proposal
Description of potential internship opportunities: The Crop Trust is the only organization in the world that focuses solely on building and supporting a global system of genebanks for the conservation of crop diversity.To be able to maintain their plant genetic material in perpetuity, genebanks must be capable of carrying out a range of essential operations to agreed standards, including acquisition, storage and monitoring, safety duplication, regeneration, multiplication, documentation, and distribution of their material. The Crop Trust funds essential operations of genebanks through our endowment fund and through projects. An internship at the Crop Trust could involve working with our scientists in assessing impacts of our projects and genebanks in general, monitoring and evaluation of genebank programs, genebank data mangement, genebank quality management systems, dissemination of knowledge and others as new projects arise.
The Institute for Multidisciplinary Ecological Research in the Salish Sea (IMERSS)
The Institute for Multidisciplinary Ecological Research in the Salish Sea (IMERSS) is a non-profit organization based on Galiano Island. The mission of IMERSS is to conduct multidisciplinary research, monitor biodiversity and the environment, and communicate results to better understand and respond to change in the Salish Sea bioregion. IMERSS supports transboundary community participation in science, art, and scholarship, and is engaged in collaborative biodiversity research with partner organizations throughout the region.
CONTACT: Andrew Simon or Emily Adamczyk
DESIRABLE SKILLS MAY INCLUDE: Data/statistical analysis, biodiversity data curation, model development, short study/assessment, taxonomy, labwork, fieldwork, literature review, GIS analysis, data collection, survey design, research proposal development, funding/grant proposal development
DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
- Ongoing diatom surveys (morphological and molecular study): Diatoms are a major group of photosynthetic microalgae living in marine and freshwater environments, which provide vast quantities of oxygen, food and nutrients for a wide range of organisms. This project aims to establish an updated taxonomic inventory of diatoms known to the Salish Sea, including detailed descriptions, observations and references. We apply light microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to determine species based on key taxonomic features. To extend this work, we are also exploring the application of third-generation molecular sequencing technology to barcode diatoms and promote community access to genomics research.
- Relevant skills include: lab work, fieldwork, culturing, and bioinformatics.
- Curation of legacy biodiversity data (e.g., Janszen Legacy Project, Salish Sea Biodiversity): Historical biodiversity datasets represent fundamental baselines for the study of biodiversity change. IMERSS is advancing several research projects focusing on the preservation of legacy biodiversity datasets. These include: the Janszen Legacy Project, which preserves the work of the late Harvey Janszen, a botanist who dedicated his life to the study of the vascular plants of the southern Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands, and Saanich Peninsula; and the Salish Sea Biodiversity project, a broader initiative to engage communities in the synthesis of baseline biodiversity data within the Salish Sea bioregion.
Relevant skills include: data synthesis, curation and analysis, and the digitization of voucher specimens.
- Biodiversity Change Studies: IMERSS is dedicated to mobilizing biodiversity data to better understand change and inform conservation decision-making. Currently we are developing a protocol for the detection of species extirpation, integrating data from historical collections, community science, and targeted surveys in a robust Bayesian inference framework. As an extension of this work, we are working in partnership with regional conservation organizations to develop frameworks and best practices for biodiversity monitoring and stewardship.
- Relevant skills include: field data collection, long-term monitoring, community outreach, data analysis and occupancy modeling
- Xetthecum: The Xetthecum pilot project is an initiative to weave together Indigenous ways of knowing and Western ecological science into an ecocultural map of Retreat Cove (Xetthecum in the Hul’qumi’num language), Galiano Island, BC. Created in partnership with Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaborators, this participatory mapping program, developed in a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework, is using online data visualizations to communicate historical and contemporary biodiversity data, terrestrial ecosystem mapping, written and spoken Hul’qumi’num, and stories of place. Beyond this pilot project, we aspire to adapt these practices in partnership with Whiteswan Environmental to create ecocultural maps of significant sites throughout the Salish Sea.
Relevant skills include: multidisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration integrating biodiversity data and Indigenous knowledge.
MACKENZIE NATURE OBSERVATORY
The Mackenzie Nature Observatory (MNO) is a bird banding station that studies the fall migration of passerines and Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO). The research relies on mist-netting and banding, conducting a daily census, and conducting daily avian observations. The data collected includes demographic and physiological information and can be used to multiple ends: habitat conservation, land management, avian evolution and/or physiology, etc. MNO also focuses on outreach and education, especially to the locals of Mackenzie. We host station tours, owl visitor nights, and student groups from schools and universities. Where: Mackenzie, BC. When: The passerine season runs yearly from July 19th to September 30th. The NSWO season runs yearly from September 1st to September 30th.
Contact: Laura Tabbakh, Bander in charge
Essential skills required: research proposal development, literature review, short study/assessment, data/statistical analysis
Optional skills required: field work, data collection, GIS analysis, survey design and also potentially, policy analysis, model development, and funding/grant proposal
Description of potential internship opportunities: The station has two projects to suggest:
Project 1: We are interested in obtaining a GIS Map of the vegetation at the station (net lanes, census trail, and surroundings)
Project 2: We have just reached 10 years of standardized banding data that we’re interested in having analyzed. The main goal is first to organize the data then retrieve a preliminary analysis that would include general numbers and trends.
Alternatively, prospective interns are welcome to contact us with their own proposals, which can cover a variety of topics, from field research on plant and wildlife to projects related to avian ecology, physiology, evolution, etc.
Special note: a) the intern would receive the staff's support while working on the project and b) in return, we're happy to introduce them to banding if they desire.
THE NATURE TRUST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
The Nature Trust of British Columbia is dedicated to conserving BC’s biological diversity through securement and management of ecologically significant lands. Since 1971, The Nature Trust of BC, along with our partners, has acquired more than 500 parcels of land in BC for vulnerable flora and fauna.
Contact: Leanna Warman, Conservation Ecologist
Possible skills required: field work, literature review, short study/assessment, data collection, data/statistical analysis, GIS analysis, survey design, model development
Description of potential internship opportunities: The Nature Trust of BC is interested in partnering with a BRITE intern to further explore our assessment criteria for identifying important conservation areas within BC. We currently use several criteria based on province-wide data to aid in our conservation related decisions. The Nature Trust of BC has other project options that would benefit from working with a BRITE intern. For instance, we have been collecting photo points within some of our conservation areas over several years. There may be methods to assess change over time based on the images, which could aid in stewardship of these lands. Other possibilities depending on our needs at the time, could include field surveys and/or research related to species at risk and their habitats within our conservation areas, such as identifying the effects of public uses. Depending on the intern’s interest and expertise, we could also consider other projects that aid in our conservation securement and stewardship decisions.
STANLEY PARK ECOLOGY SOCIETY
Registered as a charity since 1988, the Stanley Park Ecology Society is the primary provider of land-based education interpretive services, conservation research and monitoring, and stewardship programs within in Stanley Park. SPES also advises the Park Board on conservation issues within the Park.
Contact: Dacyn Holinda, Conservation Projects Manager
Essential skills required: field work, data collection, data/statistical analysis, survey design
Optional skills required: policy analysis, literature review, research proposal development, short study/assessment, GIS analysis, model development, funding/grant proposal
Description of potential internship opportunities:The Stanley Park Ecology Society has the potential to host two internships:
- Assisting SPES with our Coyote Trail Camera monitoring program, which would include processing, retrieval and data management / analysis on a 24-camera grid within Stanley Park.
Design a study assessing and monitoring wildlife feeding within Stanley Park.
VANCOUVER AVIAN RESEARCH CENTRE
The Vancouver Avian Research Centre (VARC) is a Canadian Registered Charity dedicated to education, outreach and research related to birds and bird habitat.
Contact: Jason Jones, Director
Essential skills required: data/statistical analysis
Optional skills required: field work, research proposal development, literature review, short study/assessment, data collection, GIS analysis, policy analysis, survey design, model development, funding/grant proposal
Description of potential internship opportunities: VARC are interested in a partnership with a BRITE intern to further advance our understanding of local bird population dynamics in the Lower Mainland of BC. In addition to our broad education mandate, VARC has been operating a bird migration monitoring station at Colony Farm Regional Park since 2009 and has amassed a large, and largely un-analyzed, data set on birds captured or otherwise observed during our monitoring activities. In addition to furthering our understanding of how local bird populations have fluctuated over time, many ecological questions remain. For example, can we use rates of mass gain during migratory stopovers as an index of habitat quality? Students with an interest in statistical analysis, coding, conservation, and science communication will find an enjoyable home at VARC. VARC board members and volunteers are experienced biologists, statisticians, educators and conservation practitioners/enthusiasts with a wealth of information and experience to share.
YELLOWSTONE TO YUKON CONSERVATION INITIATIVE
Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative strives to support people, all wildlife and natural systems in the region between the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Canada’s Yukon Territory
Contact: Libby Ehlers & Erik Olsson
Essential skills required: Previous experience using GIS
Optional skills required: GIS analysis with vector datasets (geoprocessing tools, georeferencing old maps, creating polygons using legal land descriptions); knowledge of environmental legislation and park management plans; interest in biodiversity conservation.
Description of potential internship opportunities: This internship, in collaboration with the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative and conservation experts from other organizations, will contribute towards research concerning whether the Yellowstone to Yukon region, a 30-year binational landscape-scale approach to conservation, has impacted the durability of state-designated protected areas (PAs). Recent research has identified many cases of PA downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD), legal changes that temper, reduce, or eliminate protected areas around the world (see PADDDtracker.org). Globally, PADDD has increased over time and has had numerous implications for biodiversity and conservation, including deforestation, carbon emissions, and habitat fragmentation. We are now examining the degree to which the Y2Y region has experienced and been shaped by PADDD since the first PAs within the region were established.
The intern will have the opportunity to engage in one or more aspects of this research in accordance with their skills and interests: (1) Conducting archival research to piece together legislative timelines and identify PADDD leads at the provincial level, particularly in Alberta and British Columbia; (2) Collecting spatial data for PAs or generating spatial data for PAs from legal land descriptions; and (3) Building a database of PADDD events to inform the manuscript analysis. In addition, the student will have the opportunity to be included as a co-author of the resulting manuscript and participate in the subsequent manuscript analysis and writing which will begin during and continue after the fixed term of the internship.
Deliverable(s) by the end of term (6 weeks full time or multiple months part time, up to student):
- Completed tabular database of provincial PADDD events informed by archival research
- Completed spatial database of boundaries that correspond to PADDD events
Additional activities:
- Descriptive statistics, graphs, and maps
- Potential to contribute to a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.