Megan's journal

 About the Naturalist-in-Residence Program

     Sweet Briar College's "Naturalist-in-Residence" program provides funds for a scientist/naturalist to conduct field research that uses our 3300 acre campus and involves our undergraduates. Our goals are (1) to increase our knowledge about the biodiversity of our land, and (2) to provide high quality field research experience for our students. The grant is open to Ph.D. candidates, postdoctoral fellows, or Ph.D.-level field scientists. Preference is given to a candidate with experience supervising undergraduates, and who will be actively involved in the research on a daily basis.

     The maximum duration of the grant is six months during one field season; the minimum duration is 3 continuous weeks. The grantee agrees to (1) hire, train and supervise at least one Sweet Briar student as a research assistant; (2) conduct breeding bird surveys and bluebird box surveys on campus during the period of residency (or supervise the Sweet Briar student in doing so) and provide the data to the college; (3) conduct at least one community event per month during the residency, such as leading a bird walk, offering a nature program to campus children, or presenting an evening lecture; (4) acknowledge the Naturalist Fund and Sweet Briar College in all papers, talks, etc. resulting from the research; (5) send two copies of any publications resulting from the research to the College; (6) write a final report suitable for a general readership within three months of the end of the grant period, that may be published on the Natural History web site and in other Sweet Briar publications.

     The award, up to a maximum of $6000, can be used towards any of the following: living expenses, travel, expendable supplies, field equipment, stipends for field assistant(s), stipend for grantee.

     The 2001 Naturalist-in-Residence grant competition will be announced in January 2001; the application deadline will be in early March. If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact Dr. Linda Fink, Department of Biology, Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar VA 24595.