Building Capacity in Plant Biodiversity Conservation and Specimen-based Research
Objective: To provide the intern with practical experience in herbarium operations, enhance their botanical knowledge, and contribute to the herbarium’s collections, research, and outreach activities. The program has 6 stages.
Location: Huye
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8-5 pm. (40 hours per week), 6 months
Supervisor: Dr, Michael B Thomas
Trainers: Pascal Sibomana, Sandrine Uwase, and Anathalie Ingabire
Deliverables: Poster and Oral Presentation on approved topic. Final presentation summarizing internship accomplishments and reflections.
2024 Professional Intern: Yves Ishimwe
A Taxonomic Gap Analysis for the Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes from Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda.
Month 1: Orientation and Familiarization
- Goals:
- Understand the herbarium’s mission, operations, and workflow.
- Learn basic herbarium techniques and protocols.
- Initiate passport application.
- Activities:
- Orientation of Website and lesson plans
- Create user accounts for Research Gate, ORCID, Rwanda Biodiversity Specimen data portal
- Submit resume for review, discuss passport and driver’s license status
- Tour of herbarium facilities, collection, exsitu nursery, and online taxonomic resources.
- Orientation on herbarium policies, permits, and ethics.
Collection Managment Policy (pdf)
Loan Policy (pdf)
Destructive Sampling Policy (pdf) - Introduction to specimen handling, mounting, labeling, and data entry.
- Shadow herbarium staff to learn about ongoing projects and research.
- Review Poster 1
- Review Poster 2
- Review Poster 3
- Review Poster 4
- Deliverables:
- Completion of a training checklist for herbarium practices.
- Initial report on the herbarium work
Month 2: Collection Management
- Goals:
- Gain hands-on experience in specimen curation and preservation.
- Learn about herbarium databases and cataloging.
- Activities:
- Assist with specimen mounting, repair, and labeling.
- Inventory and update records for a specific plant family or region.
- Digitize herbarium specimens (scanning, photographing, and data entry).
- Deliverables:
- Curated and digitized specimens for a designated project or plant group.
Month 3: Fieldwork and Collection
- Goals:
- Participate in fieldwork to collect plant specimens.
- Learn field identification techniques and collection methods.
- Activities:
- Assist with planning and logistics for field excursions.
- Collect, press, and document plant specimens with detailed field notes.
- Participate in plant identification workshops or field guides’ use.
- Deliverables:
- A set of well-documented and preserved specimens from the field.
- A field report summarizing the collection trip and findings.
Month 4: Research and Taxonomy
- Goals:
- Conduct a small research project using herbarium specimens.
- Develop skills in plant taxonomy and identification.
- Activities:
- Identify and classify specimens using keys, literature, and expert guidance.
- Conduct research on a plant group or ecological question.
- Attend taxonomy and botanical nomenclature training sessions.
- Deliverables:
- A research report or poster summarizing findings and methodologies.
- Identified and annotated specimens with updated records.
Month 5: Public Engagement and Outreach
- Goals:
- Learn how to communicate botanical knowledge to the public.
- Contribute to the herbarium’s outreach and education initiatives.
- Activities:
- Assist with planning and conducting public tours or workshops.
- Develop educational materials or online content (e.g., blogs, social media posts).
- Participate in community science initiatives or citizen science projects.
- Deliverables:
- An educational product (e.g., poster, brochure, or online article).
- A presentation for a public or academic audience.
Month 6: Specialization and Final Presentation
- Goals:
- Deepen expertise in a specific area of botany or herbarium science.
- Summarize and present achievements from the internship.
- Activities:
- Work on a specialized project (e.g., database improvement, ethnobotanical study, or conservation planning).
- Compile a portfolio of work completed during the internship.
- Deliver a final presentation to herbarium staff and peers.
- Deliverables:
- A specialized project report or product.
- Final presentation summarizing internship accomplishments and reflections.
General Responsibilities Throughout Internship
- Maintain accurate records and documentation of all activities.
- Adhere to herbarium safety, ethical, and conservation guidelines.
- Collaborate with staff, researchers, and other interns.
Expected Outcomes
- Proficiency in herbarium techniques and operations.
- Enhanced botanical knowledge and field skills.
- Contribution to the herbarium’s collections, research, and outreach goals.
- A stronger foundation for future work or study in botany and conservation.