Participate in a unique six-month learning opportunity at TNC’s remote field station at Palmyra Atoll. Conservation Science Volunteers gain first-hand experience implementing innovative science projects, engage with the complexities of conservation in the face of climate change, and learn about tropical island conservation and the interconnectedness of “rainforest to reef” ecosystems. This opportunity is ideal for early career conservation science professionals and those passionate about working in conservation. In six months at TNC’s remote Pacific field station, volunteers acquire field research and professional skills while making valuable connections lifelong memories.
About Palmyra Atoll
One of the great “hope spots” of our planet, Palmyra Atoll is a Nature Conservancy Preserve and research station located within a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge. Situated about 1,000 miles south of Hawai‘i, it is also within the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, the largest collection of ocean and islands protected under a single jurisdiction in the world.
The amazing wildness and protected status of Palmyra Atoll creates a “living laboratory” to develop and test solutions for global conservation challenges. TNC focuses on three strategy areas at Palmyra Atoll under our Climate Adaptation and Resilience Laboratory (CARL): coral reef resilience, island conservation, and blue water research.
Volunteer Time Commitment
Palmyra Conservation Science Volunteers each serve six-month terms at Palmyra Atoll, with two volunteers on the atoll at a time year-round (four volunteers each year). Volunteer terms typically start in March, June, September, and December of each year.
Directions
What You Will Do
In six months at Palmyra Atoll, volunteers gain hands-on experience with wildlife ecology, rainforest management, coral reef science, science project management, data organization, and more. Experience with specific projects varies from season to season depending on the status of projects, current research priorities, and visiting research teams.
During this program, you will:
- Spend six months at TNC’s Palmyra Atoll Preserve, a tiny, isolated, and diverse community of scientists and animals, following TNC’s Code of Conduct and Preserve policies.
- Contribute to priority conservation science projects, including seabird restoration, ecological monitoring, native rainforest restoration, invasive species management, coral reef monitoring, and fisheries science.
- Connect with visiting research teams about their work on Palmyra.
- Gain experience with data handling and organization.
- Learn about tropical atoll ecosystems and their management.
- Acquire skills in species identification, scientific field work, data collection and analysis, independence, leadership, boating, snorkeling, and more.
Conservation Science Volunteers in Action
The amazing wildness and protected status of Palmyra Atoll creates a “living laboratory” to develop and test solutions for global conservation challenges. TNC focuses on three strategy areas at Palmyra Atoll under our Climate Adaptation and Resilience Laboratory (CARL): coral reef resilience, island conservation, and blue water research.
Palmyra Volunteers: Conservation science volunteer assisting a researcher with tagging a red-footed booby. © Sara Maxwell.
Palmyra Volunteers: Conservation science volunteer participating in research on pelagic fish. © Kydd Pollock
Palmyra Volunteer: Conservation science volunteer planting native trees as part of the rainforest realignment project at Palmyra Atoll. © Mollie Ginther
Palmyra Volunteer: Conservation science volunteer servicing a Song Meter. © Annie Loggins/USFWS
Desired Experience
Conservation Science Volunteers at Palmyra Atoll are passionate, motivated, and highly independent people who are looking for hands-on experience to launch their conservation science career. To qualify for this position, we are looking for those who have:
- A high school diploma/GED and 1 year of college-level coursework in biological sciences, conservation science, or natural resource management -OR- equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
- Experience with scientific studies and following established scientific protocols, including recording, entering, and organizing observation-based data.
- Experience living and/or working in very remote environments or small communities with limited access to resources and the luxuries of every-day, modern life.
- Experience performing work that requires physical mobility in a hot, humid, wet, and salty environment, and ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Experience with waterfront comfort and safety, specifically regarding swimming, recreating, and navigating in open water.
- Experience with MS Office and associated programs, notably Word and Excel.
FAQs
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Conservation Science Volunteers play an incredible role in supporting TNC’s Climate Adaptation and Resilience Laboratory (CARL) at Palmyra Atoll. They participate in a wide diversity of TNC-led conservation science projects, including rainforest restoration, ecological monitoring, and seabird conservation. Additionally, volunteers may have the opportunity to assist partners and researchers that visit the atoll with unique marine or terrestrial research projects, which provides valuable experience to grow as conservation science leaders.
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No, there is no compensation or stipend for Conservation Science Volunteers. TNC does cover the cost of airfare to/from Honolulu (<$1200) and accommodation while in Honolulu. TNC also covers the cost of transportation to/from Palmyra, board and lodging at Palmyra, and required supplies.
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Conservation Science Volunteers remain at Palmyra Atoll for approximately six months.
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We select four volunteers per year, with two volunteers on the atoll at a time. One volunteer is deployed every three months, who joins a volunteer at Palmyra Atoll who has already spent three months on the atoll.
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We typically recruit and onboard a new volunteer every three months. New volunteers deploy in March, June, September, and December, each completing six-month terms. We encourage you to apply if you would like to be considered for any 6-month volunteer term in a given calendar year.
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Please refer to our position posting on the nature.org careers page to see if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
How to Apply
To apply, please go to the careers page on nature.org. Submit an application under the position “Conservation Science Volunteer, Palmyra Program” to be considered.
Please reach out to us if you would like to learn more about TNC’s Conservation Science Volunteer Program at Palmyra Atoll. Visit nature.org/palmyra to learn more about Palmyra Atoll.
Contact: Dana Sabine, Palmyra Science Coordinator, dana.sabine@tnc.org