Spring & Fall
10 Week Paid Internship

Field Work Experience

The Carolina Wildland Foundation offers undergraduate students a 10-week paid field experience. The internship takes place on-site our Southern 8ths Field Station.

This field work being done is creating useful data sets in association with the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) and the USA National Phenology Network.

Students must complete application and interview process to be accepted. Complete an email form to start.

Field Work Experience

What You Will Learn

  • The science of Phenology

  • How to correctly note and input scientific data using methods recommended by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) and the USA National Phenology Network

  • Nature’s Notebook Citizen Science app

  • How to lay transects to create defined study areas

  • Using drone and stop action cameras to make observation

  • Using a weather station

  • Give context to data collection through Journaling

  • Exposure to ideas and writing styles of American naturalists

Program Requirements

  • Weekly attendance is required. No more than two excused absences will be permitted.

  • More than two unexcused absences may result in termination.

  • Weekly upload data of to the Nature’s Notebook app Carolina Wildlands partnership page within 48 hours of each field visit.

  • Keep nature journals and submit entries weekly within 48 hours of each field visit. These journals will be posted on the Carolina Wildlands website.
    Two or more missing journal entries may result in termination.

  • At the end of the semester, interns will each be responsible for delivering a final in-person presentation and short paper to share the story of their unique learning experience.

Meet Our Program Staff

David Harper - Program Coordinator

David Harper
Program Coordinator

Brianna Bergamini - Prairie Keeper

Brianna Bergamini
Prairie Keeper

Student Experiences

No one can give a better perspective on this unique educational opportunity than our interns.

“Everything on Southern 8ths Farm tells a story. The carved and painted logs tell the story and history of the land. The small graveyard we visited told the story of the family who once lived on the land. The trees planted in a row tell a story, and so do the remaining bits of the cattle farm that was once on some of the property. Everyone may have a different perspective, but everyone, and everything, can tell a story if you look and you think. The quiet and peaceful environment around the property can even tell the story of the hard work Brad and others have put into preserving the land.”
Kaitlynn C.
“I find myself paying more attention to the landscape trying to engrain every blade of grass in my memory and reflect on the entire experience from this last year. I have become close to all my fellow researchers… I have learned a lot about fieldwork through this project, but I have also gained some friends and hopefully lifelong connections with the people at Southern 8ths and those who are a part of Carolina Wildlands.”
Kimberly B.
“…the last trip was a beautiful one and this land will forever have a special place in my heart. To the future students, take it all in, enjoy it, and do your best to incorporate similar land across the world. We never know if we will be able to enjoy nature the way we have at the Southern 8ths property.”
Noah D.
“My time at Southern 8ths Farm was an excellent learning experience for me, and I am so glad I jumped on the opportunity to be an intern. I hope to return next year and continue my learning journey. I have a newfound love and respect for plants that I truly hadn’t had before. I can confidently say that I have grown as a person and an aspiring scientist during my time here.”
Emily
“I found it extremely impressive that the farm had many different types of environments from ponds to prairies to marsh-like wetlands.”
Holima K.

“The beauty of our survey is to see how a few hundred feet of difference in habitat can change the outcome of the small mammals caught. It is truly mind-blowing, but this is why you conduct research to see why things are the way they are.”

Clay

“It was awesome to go around the property with Winthrop University researchers, since they are from another school and we are from Francis Marion, and it was great to see what they are doing in addition to our own research.”

Morgan

Education Partners