Latvian Fund for Nature (LFN) offers internships to students of natural or agricultural sciences who are interested in working with grazing management, herd management and pasture management in the field. You will have an opportunity to participate in the GrassLIFE2 project, which deals with the restoration and management of EU priority grassland habitats. One of the grassland restorations tools used in the project is mobile grazing herds of Galloway cattle that are transported over the country to ensure the grazing of the most valuable habitats not owned or managed by farmers.
At the start of the internship, interns will be provided with initial training in herd management and then assigned to carry out independent field work under the supervision of a GrassLIFE2 herd manager. The work will include extensive field work (setting up the fencing for pastures, mowing of grasslands, checking on animals, etc.), working outdoors in various weather conditions and sometimes camping in the field. We will provide interns with transportation and cover transportation and accommodation costs while working in the field (if these costs are not covered by Erasmus or other scholarships).
We offer a unique opportunity to participate in the practical nature conservation work, and become a part of a grassland restoration and management team. You will acquire field work experience in herd management for nature conservation and a lot of practical experience in daily pasture management.
Duration: 3-4 months
Period: May 1 to August 31, 2024
Commitment: Full time
Field of studies: Natural sciences / agricultural sciences
Level of studies: Bachelor
Skills required:
• Good English skills
• Drivers licence (EU category B) and driving experience
• Familiarity with agricultural work, working in the field
• Physical fitness to work in field conditions
• Experience in working with tractor, it’s implements (mower, trailer etc.), skills for working with chainsaw and brush cutter/trimmer would be an advantage.
• Interpersonal skills - independent, proactive and good team player. Able to adapt to changes in the work schedule.
Additional information:
• The internship is UNPAID, priority will be given to applicants who are part or are planning to apply for Erasmus+ or other scholarship.
• Legal eligibility to work in the EU is a must.
• Foreign students should be covered by health and travel insurance from their home country. We will provide accident and liability insurance.
• We will help to find an apartment for rent in Sigulda.
• We will cover the transport and accommodation costs while working in the field (if Erasmus or other scholarships would not cover those costs).
HOW TO APPLY
Deadline to apply: February 29, 2024
1. Record a short (max. 3 min.) video about yourself: brief presentation, your study area, why you want to come here, everything that you would like to tell us! Upload the video on any video sharing platform you use - Dropbox, YouTube, Vimeo, WeTransfer, etc.
2. Prepare your CV.
3. Apply by sending a link to the video and your CV:
via the Erasmus internship portal
OR
to Latvian Fund for Nature e-mail: ldf@ldf.lv
About Latvian Fund for Nature
Latvian Fund for Nature is a non-profit non-governmental organisation working in the field of nature protection and habitat/species management in Latvia. The organisation was established on 1991 and our mission is to preserve biological diversity in Latvia. To achieve this, we are engaged in practical activities to preserve the environment and to educate society about the importance of biodiversity. We implement various national and EU-level projects dealing with habitat restoration and management and engage society in nature protection via citizen science and other activities. Our office is located in Riga, the capital of Latvia.
More information about Latvian Fund for Nature: www.ldf.lv
Here you can read internship stories from 2021 - 2022.
Here you can read internship stories from 2023.
For more information, please contact internship coordinator Nora Rustanovica at nora.rustanovica@ldf.lv
Blaumana st. 32-8
Phone: +371 67830999
E-mail: ldf@ldf.lv