VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTION
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Job Title: Lichen Research Volunteer
Location: Daniel Beard Center, accessible from the Homestead entrance to Everglades
National Park
Time Commitment: Flexible, one day per week or biweekly
Job Duties: Park researchers are seeking volunteers interested in helping out with an exciting,
newly established, lichen research study. Volunteer project duties would include curating lichen
specimens by folding labels, creating labels and inputting computer data, assisting with chemical
analysis and identification of lichen samples, participating in lichen collecting field trips and
assisting in lichen identification by dissecting specimens and viewing them under a compound
microscope.
Benefits: Thorough training on all aspects of the park and your position will be provided. You will
have opportunities to learn about a wide variety of park research studies and projects and can take
time to explore, enjoy and learn about park ecosystems, conservation and restoration issues.
A park entrance pass will be provided.
Goal/Outcome of Position: To create an inventory of lichen species and associated data for
Everglades National Park, researchers and educational institutions. Park managers recognize the
importance of creating biological inventories. Several National Parks are carrying out All Taxa
Biological Inventories in order to better know, understand, manage and protect all species within
their care. The identification of lichen species is of particular importance for they are barometers to
ecosystem health, air quality and climate change. Having a baseline of information related to the
abundance and diversity of one widespread order of living things will assist in gauging the impact
of the Everglades Restoration Project.
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Desired: If you are interested in working intimately with
researchers conducting groundbreaking research, would like to become familiar with other park
research projects and are seeking, for educational, professional or personal reasons, research
skills and experience, this is the opportunity for you.
How to Apply: Please call or email Volunteer Coordinator Jackie Dostourian at 305-2427752 or Jackie_Dostourian@nps.gov to learn more about this position and to obtain a
National Park Service Volunteer Application.