Through a generous grant, Earthwatch is able to offer SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Discovery Cove personnel fellowships to facilitate professional development on one of our biodiversity and conservation expeditions.

Earthwatch fellowships provide unique opportunities to gain scientific knowledge and skills, participate in teamwork, and develop mentor-like relationships with exceptional role models.  The impact of a single fellowship is multiplied 100-fold when fellows return from the field to share what they have learned, e.g. addressing colleagues and friends at meetings, taking the lead in local river clean-up and tree planting, leading individuals in soil sampling, or initiating community media coverage. This uniquely positioned group will spark a multiplier effect, bringing their energy to fellow employees, the zoos in which they serve, and the leagues of individuals who visit and respect the parks.

If awarded a fellowship, you will travel to one of Earthwatch's expedition projects. There you will join scientists and other civilian team members to receive training, collect data and gain perspective on wildlife and conservation issues abroad. Potential destinations have been outlined in another document.  Earthwatch will select the project site for each SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Discovery Cove zoo fellow.

Eligibility
SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Discovery Cove management will determine who is eligible to apply. Zoological operations employees are eligible to apply.  Applicants must be in zoological operations, fulltime employees and employed for no fewer than 12 months at the time of application.  In order to be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must have approval from their direct supervisor as outlined in the form provided.

Fellowship Coverage
Fellowships are awarded through a competitive application process. The award will cover the cost of the expedition, including the financial support of scientific research, food, accommodations, on-site travel, and all the various costs of field work (permits, equipment, etc.) within the team dates. As this is a professional development assignment, approval by the nominee's direct supervisor is required with salary/wage to be paid for by the park which employs the selected staff member.  The employee's park would also be responsible for any costs of the expedition not covered by the fellowship.

Fellowship Requirements
As part of the fellowship, you must:

  • Work with your park's public relations department to pursue press coverage about the fellowship and expedition before and/or after the expedition.
  • Agree to participate in surveys and interviews about your experience three months after expedition.
  • Complete and return any and all Earthwatch post expedition survey materials about your experience.
  • Create a post expedition presentation for your colleagues, supervisors and community (within three months of the project's end).
  • Utilize any positive lessons learned about biodiversity and conservation to benefit practices of SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Discovery Cove; submit these ideas and suggested implementation to supervisors and Earthwatch.
  • Keep a journal in the field; write a report about your experience.
  • Intend to remain at your current position at SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Discovery Cove for at least one year after awarded fellowship.
  • Attend orientations or post-expedition gatherings held in your area.

Possible Projects - Download the 2-page PDF summary

Ready to apply?

Complete and submit the Application online. (PDF)

Applications are due by May 8 2009.

If you have problems with or questions about the online application, or if you want to learn more about this or another fellowship, please contact our Education Programs Coordinator at 1-800-776-0188 x265 or  fellowshipawards@earthwatch.org.

Other Opportunities and Resources