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.

 

Examples of Topics for 2026 Research Internships

 

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.

 

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

The Sanctuary recently renovated several acres of old meadow habitat to benefit the local population of pollinators. The intern will design an experiment to compare the presence and use by butterflies and/or native bees, between newly established and an old pollinator meadows. 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.

 

Studying the Role of Beaver Dams in Stream Water Quality:

Beavers are well known for their role building dams across streams to create ponds, impacting the surrounding environment in different ways including vegetation growth, movement of water, water quality, sedimentation, etc. The intern will conduct field work and data analyses to characterize vegetation and water quality in both an old and newly formed beaver dam, and adjacent stream. This project will document the role of these creatures in the local stream water quality dynamics.

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

 

Green Ash and Forest Regeneration Post Emerald Ash Borer Impact:

This study will take a close look at tree regeneration of green ash forest areas that were heavily impacted by the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. At Jug Bay some of these areas were used as experimental sites where selected mature ash trees were innoculated against EAB and also reforested with other tree species. The study will look not only at tree regeneration, but will also assess the status of tree seedlings planted during the reforestation effort of these impacted areas.

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

 

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) 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.

 

Surveying the Box Turtle Population Around a Stream Restoration Site:

As the Sanctuary prepares to start a large stream restoration project at the Jug Bay Emory Waters Nature Preserve we are collecting as much baseline information as possible on different wildlife populations. This study will focus on surveying and characterizing the box turtle population around the three stream reaches that will be part of the restoration project. Turtle counts, sex identification, individual characterization by size and weight, and home range calculations are some of the parameters that can be collected as part of the research intern study.

Mentors: Dr. Patricia Delgado, Wetland Ecologist (JBWS), with the assistance of citizen scientists currently conducting box turtle studies.

 

Surveying the Fish Population Within a Stream Restoration Site:

As the Sanctuary prepares to start a large stream restoration project at the Jug Bay Emory Waters Nature Preserve we are collecting as much baseline information as possible on different animal populations. This study will focus on surveying and characterizing the fish community within the three stream reaches that will be part of the restoration project. Fish species diversity, density, individual characterization by sex (when possible), size and weight as well as water quality data (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH) are some of the parameters that can be collected as part of the research intern study.

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

 

Snapping Turtle Population Study:

Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) are Maryland's largest freshwater turtle species residing in both tidal and nontidal waters of the state. Common snapping turtles are wild-caught in large numbers in Maryland and across the country for the food and pet trade. Currently, Maryland restricts the commercial harvest of snapping turtles to tidal waters but allows an unlimited harvest. Unlike other state-regulated fisheries, snapping turtle population size, health and dynamics are not routinely surveyed to understand how the fishery is impacting the species long-term health and stability. The Sanctuary is seeking an intern to undertake such a study using mark/recapture techniques within the Jug Bay Natural Area to create a baseline understanding of the local population with an emphasis on those species demonstrating reproductive viability.

Mentors: Dr. Patricia Delgado, Wetland Ecologist (JBWS), and Liana Vitali, Citizen Science and Stewardship Coordinator (JBWS).

 

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

Rustic housing can be provided at the Jug Bay Education, Research and Discovery (JBERD) Field Station at no cost during the time of the internship. Accommodations include a shared cabin with other interns, the use of a bathhouse, and the availability of a small kitchen for cooking in a nearby facility. For any questions please email Patricia Delgado at rpdelg88@aacounty.org

Transportation: Applicants must provide their own transportation.

 

To submit your application or for more information contact:

Patricia Delgado at rpdelg88@aacounty.org