Research internships run for approximately 12 weeks during the summer time: June - August. The exact start and end time of the internship will vary depending on the research project and the intern's availability. Students applying for our research internships will submit a short proposal (five pages or less) on a specific topic/question chosen from a  list of projects of interest to the Sanctuary, or the applicant can choose to develop his/her own research question. The list of research topics/questions provided is updated every year.

 

Topics for 2025 Research Internship

Excavating African-American History at Emory Waters Preserve:

Jug Bay's Emory Waters Preserve was once the location of the Patuxent Fishery Plantation. Research is currently underway to learn more about the people who lived and worked on the plantation, both enslaved and free. The intern will work with county archaeologists and local historians to research the history of the Patuxent Fishery plantation, and design and conduct archaeological excavations at the site of a possible slave quarter or tenant house.

The intern will be based at the Anne Arundel County Archaeology Laboratory in Edgewater, MD and conduct fieldwork at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Lothian, MD. Graduate students and undergraduate students with archaeological excavation experience are invited to apply.

Mentor: Andrew Webster, Archaeologist with Anne Arundel County, Cultural Resources Section.

 

Studying Jug Bay's Wild Turkey Population:

Not much is known about Jug Bay's turkey population. Hence, the main goal of this project is to survey Jug Bay's properties to identify and if possible quantify the presence of turkeys (male and females) and map/characterize their location and home ranges.

Mentor: Dr. Patricia Delgado, Wetland Ecologist (JBWS).

 

Determining the Use of Sanctuary Meadows by Butterflies and/or Native Bees:

The intern will design an experiment to compare the presence and use by butterflies and/or native bees, between a newly established and an old pollinator meadow. Research questions can explore spatial and temporal variability and plant species differences. This study will provide valuable information about the importance of pollinator meadow habitat. 

Mentor: Dr. Patricia Delgado, Wetland Ecologist (JBWS), and Dr. Timothy McMahon, Volunteer Researcher, USGS Native Bee Lab.

 

Waterbird Population Trends:

Jug Bay citizen scientists have been collecting waterbird data (species presence and counts) since 1990. Although some analyses were done with early data, not much has been done with the entire longterm data set to identify, for example, species temporal trends. This project will mostly consist on data mining and analysis but, some field work can be added to (a) to learn how the current survey is conducted and to (b) collect additional data that may complement the proposed research question. 

Mentors: Dr. Patricia Delgado, Wetland Ecologist (JBWS), with the assistance of citizen scientists conducting the surveys.

 

Choose Your Own Research Topic:

The intern is encouraged to visit Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary before developing the proposal so she/he can learn about what we do and our research needs. With this information on hand, the intern will develop her/his own research project based on personal interest, experience, and Sanctuary needs. The proposed research question would have to be approved by Patricia Delgado before moving forward with writing the proposal. This is an open opportunity to develop your own research question!

Mentor: Dr. Patricia Delgado, Wetland Ecologist (JBWS).

 

For more information regarding project topics/questions, please contact Patricia Delgado via email at rpdelg88@aacounty.org

 

Qualifications

Internships are open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who are capable of working independently with mentor guidance. Students should be self-motivated, have good communication and writing skills, and be comfortable working in physically challenging environments.

Application Requirements

Qualified applicants should submit the documents listed below via email to Patricia Delgado at rpdelg88@aacounty.org

• A short proposal (five single-spaced pages or less that include a title, introduction, literature review, methodology, and cited literature);
• One-page resume;
• Copies of unofficial transcripts;
• Two letters of recommendation (these can be attached with the student's application package or send directly to P. Delgado by the person offering the recommendation).

Internship Requirements

The successful applicant is expected to fulfill the following requirements during the time of the internship:

• Develop an expanded, detailed research project;
• Conduct independent research with support from the project mentor;
• Develop a final report;
• Give a presentation at the Jug Bay's Annual Volunteer Picnic;
• Write an article for Jug Bay's newsletter, "Marsh Notes," or our website summarizing research findings.

Financial Support

The Friends of Jug Bay will provide a stipend totaling $4,000; two equal installments of $1,500 will be given during the first two months of the internship. A final payment of $1000 is made upon receipt of the final report. Interns should expect to work approximately 12 weeks during the summer (June through August).

Housing: If needed, housing at the residence of a FOJB member and volunteer will be available at no cost for one of the interns.

Transportation: Applicants must provide their own transportation.

 

To submit your application or for more information contact:

Patricia Delgado at rpdelg88@aacounty.org