NC Maritime Museum Internships Available

Applications are now being accepted for the Summer 2010 North Carolina State Government Internship Program. You can download the internship booklet and an application form from: http://www.doa.state.nc.us/yaio/internprogramdetails.htm. The booklet contains all of the summer program details, including eligibility, application instructions and a listing of available internship projects.

Applications must be postmarked by January 20, 2010, for consideration. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

* Permanent resident of North Carolina,

* Currently enrolled at a college/university and continuing education in Fall 2010,

* Carrying a minimum of a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale,

* Completed high school and subsequently at least the sophomore year of college (or the first year of community college) at the time the internship begins in May,

* And have not participated in the State Government Internship Program or an N.C. General Assembly paid internship in the past.

Internship #43; 1 position in Beaufort

Museum Education Program Assistant, State History Museums

Major(s): Education, History, Maritime History, Museum Studies, Natural Sciences, Recreation and Tourism

Project Objective: The intern will

• receive an introduction to the field of non-formal education in museums
• learn about the Maritime Museum and its departments including collections, research, and exhibit design
• gain professional experience as a program assistant to education curators for public programs and children’s summer camps
• utilize interests, skills, and knowledge to create an original program, offer it to a public audience, and evaluate its effectiveness.

Major Tasks: The intern will assist staff educators by

• conducting/assisting existing programs both in the museum and the field, such as artifact-based presentations, estuary trail hikes, and guided museum tours
• research and create an original education program and offer it to a public audience
• document and evaluate existing education programs.

Final Product or Outcome: The intern will gain valuable experience in educational program design, presentation and evaluation. The museum will increase the scope and depth of its educational services. The visiting public will be provided with more learning opportunities during their museum visit.

Earth Day Network Green Schools Grant (Deadline Dec 7!)

The Earth Day Network is working to build on the success of their Green Schools Campaign by conducting extensive lighting efficiency swap-outs and solar panel system installations at K-12 schools around the country. In addition to these physical upgrades, they will work with teachers and administrators to tie these school enhancements to classroom lessons and community events in order to provide learning experiences for students, faculty and parents. Members of the Educators’ Network are eligible to receive support and donations to carry out green upgrades and educational programs at their schools (sign up at the EDN Web site).

Application Deadline is December 7, 2009.

Complete Details

The Working Waterways and Waterfronts National Symposium on Water Abstracts

On September 27-30, 2010, the Working Waterways and Waterfronts National Symposium on Water will take place in Portland, Maine. The symposium will provide a forum to help communities, organizations,

businesses, and individuals address waterfront access challenges by showcasing successful models and tools from around the country. Applications for abstracts are now being accepted. Abstracts are encouraged from the following sectors: federal, state, regional, and local government officials, staff,

and decision-makers; members of the commercial and recreational fishing, boating, marine, and tourism industries; port, harbor, and navigation district authorities; commercial and residential real estate developers; residential property and business owners; economic development, community development, and historic preservation professionals; nonprofit organizations; environmental and maritime consultants; attorneys; academic researchers and students; and others with unique perspectives to share. Submissions are due January 22. For submission questions, please contact Kristen Grant, Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension kngrant@maine.edu <mailto:kngrant@maine.edu>; 207-646-1555x115. To submit an abstract: http://www.wateraccessus.com/callforpapers.html. To learn more about the symposium and its sponsors: http://www.wateraccessus.com/sponsors.htm.

Paper Explores State and Local Plans for Land Vulnerable to Sea Level Rise

A recent paper, State and local governments plan for development of most land vulnerable to rising sea level along the US Atlantic coast, explores plans for sea level rise among state and local governments. The paper, authored by Jim Titus of EPA and several others, suggests that federal permits for shoreline armoring violate the Clean Water Act, and provide a set of straw-man maps that localities can use to get a dialogue started on where to hold back the sea and where to retreat. To read the article: http://papers.risingsea.net/ERL. To view sea level rise planning maps: http://plan.risingsea.net. To view state-specific findings: http://risingsea.net/ERL. To view the GIS data status: http://risingsea.net/ERL/data.html.

Request for Proposals from the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program

The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program, or APNEP, is seeking proposals for demonstration projects. Grants will be awarded by APNEP, which protects water quality and other natural resources in a 36-county area of northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and institutions in the APNEP region are eligible to apply for grant money.

The projects must have a direct environmental benefit and occur on public lands in the APNEP region. They also must have a constructed component or vegetative planting on-site, feature a strong public outreach or education element, allow for permanent public access and have methods that may be applied in other locations. Past projects included outdoor classrooms, nature trails, rain gardens, green roofs and schoolyard wetlands.

Each project may receive up to $20,000 in funding from APNEP. The APNEP Citizen’s Advisory Committee will select the proposals to be funded and determine funding amounts. Prospective grant recipients are encouraged to partner with others to leverage additional funds. The application deadline is Dec. 31. Awards will be announced in January. All awards are contingent upon the availability of funds.

For more detailed information or to download an application, visit the APNEP Web site at http://www.apnep.org and click on “What's New - Request for Proposals.” If you have questions about the application or eligibility requirements, contact Lori Brinn.

2009 Fall Regional Conservation Summit

Please save the Date: Monday November 9th

What: 2009 Fall Regional Conservation Summit

Date: Monday, November 9th, 9:30-2:30

Location: RTP Headquarters, 12 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709

See http://www.rtp.org/main/index.php?pid=87&sec=4 for directions

To RSVP contact Leigh Ann Cienek, lcienek@tlc-nc.org

Triangle Land Conservancy would like to invite you to a regional conservation summit at the RTP headquarters on Monday November 9^th. The summit will bring together various parties working on conservation initiatives in the Triangle in order to update information and share progress on innovative projects. The goal of the summit is to develop a shared sense of priorities and responsibilities to protect the green corridors and important open spaces of the Triangle.

This year we will be joined by special keynote speaker, Michael Kirschman, Division Director Nature Preserves & Natural Resources for Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation. Michael has been instrumental in setting up the innovative management and stewardship program in Mecklenburg County as well as defining the benefits and economic values of their preserve system.

In addition to our keynote speaker and progress updates, we will be breaking into small groups to brainstorm ways to bridge gaps and pool resources for various open space initiatives across the Triangle Region.

Lunch will be provided with a suggested $5 donation.

Please RSVP by email to lcienek@tlc-nc.org.

Voluntary Agricultural Districts: New Publicaiton

North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the country, which has led to significant loss of forest and farmland. With this growth come residents who may not understand or appreciate traditional rural land uses such as forestry or farming, particularly activities like tree cutting and harvesting. Their concerns may lead to increases in land use regulations, including tree protection regulations, which can affect forestry operations or even result in lawsuits. In North Carolina there are local ordinances, called voluntary agricultural district (VAD) ordinances, that establish programs to promote and preserve traditionally rural land uses like forestry and farming. N.C. State University's forestry extension has put out a new publication "Protecting Working Forests with Voluntary Agricultural District Programs" now available on their website. The publication can be found online at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry/pdf/WON/won44.pdf