Wildlife Monitoring Apprenticeship Opportunity – Supporting Diverse Learners in the Conservation Field – Conservation Northwest

Report on the Community Wildlife Monitoring Apprenticeship Initiative

Program Overview and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Conservation Northwest has announced a seasonal, part-time apprenticeship opportunity within its Community Wildlife Monitoring Program. This initiative is designed to advance wildlife conservation efforts in the Cascade Range of Washington State while simultaneously contributing to several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program seeks to recruit a cohort of 4-6 individuals for its annual winter field season, focusing on developing skills in winter outdoor recreation, wildlife research, and tracking.

The core objectives of the program are directly aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:

• To gather critical data for wildlife conservation, directly supporting SDG 15 (Life on Land).
• To provide educational and professional development opportunities, contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• To foster social inclusion by actively recruiting from underrepresented communities, thereby advancing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• To build collaborative partnerships between professionals, volunteers, and the community, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Contribution to Specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 15: Life on Land

The program’s primary function is to engage in fieldwork directly related to wildlife conservation. This hands-on monitoring is essential for protecting terrestrial ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss.

• Apprentices will participate in wildlife monitoring near Snoqualmie Pass, WA.
• The work contributes to the scientific understanding and protection of wildlife and wildlands in the Cascade Range.
• This initiative directly supports the target of taking urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities & SDG 5: Gender Equality

A significant emphasis is placed on increasing the representation and participation of diverse communities, addressing systemic inequalities within the environmental sector.

• The program strongly encourages applications from individuals from historically underrepresented groups, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and English as a second language speakers.
• This recruitment strategy aims to ensure that diverse voices are included in creating conservation solutions, acknowledging that marginalized communities are often disproportionately affected by environmental issues.
• By creating an inclusive cohort, the initiative promotes equal opportunity and works to reduce inequalities of outcome.

SDG 4: Quality Education & SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The apprenticeship is structured as a comprehensive learning and career development opportunity, providing participants with valuable skills for future employment in the conservation field.

1. Field Training Certification: New apprentices receive formal training, enhancing their qualifications.
2. Ongoing Mentorship: Participants work alongside and learn from wildlife professionals, fostering significant professional growth.
3. Skill Development: The program focuses on tangible skills in winter field research and wildlife tracking.
4. Career Pathways: Access to a network of outdoor, conservation, and wildlife professionals provides a foundation for future career opportunities in the green economy.

To remove economic barriers to participation, Conservation Northwest can help outfit individuals in need of field gear, ensuring more equitable access to this educational opportunity.

Program Structure and Application Details

Operational Framework

The apprenticeship is a seasonal, part-time role structured to integrate participants into the existing Community Wildlife Monitoring Program. The cohort will primarily work on weekends, collaborating with volunteers and established wildlife professionals. This model fosters community engagement and supports the partnership-based approach central to SDG 17.

Application and Inquiries

• Priority Application Deadline: December 4th, 11:59 PM PST.
• Application Method: Interested individuals are directed to an online application form.
• Contact: Further inquiries can be directed to the program coordinators.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article describes an apprenticeship and internship opportunity focused on providing skills and training. It offers “field training certification, ongoing mentorship,” and “significant professional growth and career development,” which directly relates to providing quality education and vocational training.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article explicitly aims to increase diversity and inclusion in the conservation field. It “strongly encourage[s] individuals from historically underrepresented communities in the environmental and conservation field to apply,” including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and English as a second language speakers, directly addressing the goal of reducing inequalities.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The core purpose of the program is “wildlife conservation in the Cascade Range of Washington State.” The work involves “wildlife research and tracking skills” and participation in a “Community Wildlife Monitoring Program,” which are essential actions for protecting terrestrial ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The initiative is described as a “Community Wildlife Monitoring Program” where a cohort of apprentices will work “alongside volunteers and wildlife professionals.” This collaborative model, involving a non-profit organization (Conservation Northwest), volunteers, and professionals, exemplifies a civil society partnership to achieve conservation goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.” The apprenticeship is designed to increase participants’ “winter outdoor recreation skills, wildlife research and tracking skills,” providing them with technical skills for a career in conservation.
2. Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The program’s stated goal to “increase the representation and participation of all our diverse communities” and its targeted outreach to “historically underrepresented groups” directly aligns with this target of promoting inclusion.
3. Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The program’s fieldwork, focused on wildlife monitoring, is a direct action aimed at gathering data to understand and protect wildlife populations and their habitats, contributing to halting biodiversity loss.
4. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The Community Wildlife Monitoring Program, which brings together an organization, volunteers, and professionals, is a clear example of a civil society partnership working towards a common sustainable development goal.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicator for Target 4.4: The number of individuals (4-6) who complete the apprenticeship and receive the “field training certification.” This measures the increase in adults with relevant vocational skills.
2. Implied Indicator for Target 10.2: The number and proportion of apprentices from “historically underrepresented communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and English as a second language speakers)” who participate in the program. This directly measures the program’s success in promoting inclusion.
3. Implied Indicator for Target 15.5: The data collected through the “annual winter field season of wildlife monitoring.” While the article doesn’t specify the data type, this monitoring activity serves as a measure of the status of local biodiversity and ecosystem health.
4. Implied Indicator for Target 17.17: The establishment and operation of the partnership itself, measured by the number of participants in the “Community Wildlife Monitoring Program,” including the cohort of apprentices, volunteers, and wildlife professionals involved.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: conservationnw.org