Land Management Grant

  • Grant amount: $5000 (single person) -$7000 (a couple) grant/scholarship plus free accommodation.  
  • The deadline to apply is January 31st 2019.  
  • Preference will be given to a couple.  

It entails living on site in a canyon above the small town of Magdalena, NM from April through September 2019.  The successful candidate/s will receive hands on mentoring by two local experts in the fields of geology and fire control.  This grant provides both academic as well as a hands-on practical learning experience and includes off-the-grid, rustic, accommodations with an option to stay on for free.   

The successful candidate/s will be responsible for the hands-on stewarding of a 40-acre sanctuary surrounded by the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico during April-September 2019.  The will be required to:

  • physically implement natural rainwater harvesting methods designed to prevent and repair water erosion whilst at the same time having the dual function of helping with fire control management.  
  • volunteer for the local fire service, attend meetings and shadow a current fire volunteer.
  • attend two workshops in natural building and learn how to build using adobe/cob.  

The tools they would be required to use during the period of this grant would be ladders, a dolly, wheelbarrow, shovel, fork, pick, pruners, and saw (possibly a chainsaw). They will also be responsible for the upkeep of these tools ensuring their proper maintenance.  

The candidate/s will document (both photographically and in writing) their work with the aim of being published in a scientific journal so that their work can benefit society as a whole.  

The candidate/s (preference will be given to a couple) - need to be:  

  • Hard-working 
  • Prepared to work physically and able to lift 50 lbs
  • Passionate about environmental affairs and the earth (soil erosion, geology, fire control, natural building) 
  • Prepared to document and be committed to publishing their work in a relevant scientific journal, 
  • Ready to spend days on their own, 
  • Stay in a remote location from April through September 2019 (5-miles from the small town of Magdalena NM with the nearest neighbor being a 15-minute walk away) with an abundance of wildlife.
  • Open to opening a business or looking for a job in, and considering moving to, the small town of Magdalena and volunteering at the fire/forestry department.  In this case, a continuation of free accommodation, would be highly likely.

Mentors for this internship:

Prof Peter Scholle received his B.S. in Geology from Yale University in 1965 and his Ph.D. in geology in 1970 from Princeton.  His professional career includes five years with various oil companies (Cities Service, Gulf and Chevron) and nine years with the U. S. Geological Survey, including three years as chief of the Oil and Gas Branch.  He taught at the University of Texas at Dallas for three years and was Albritton Professor of Geology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas from 1985 to 1999.  From 1999 to his retirement in 2011 he worked at New Mexico Tech where he was the State Geologist and Director of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (the state geological survey). Through those years he has worked extensively as an industry consultant and has written or edited 8 books (4 of them for students and young professionals dealing with the microscopy of sedimentary rocks) and roughly 250 papers and other publications.   He has run numerous short courses and field seminars for all levels from the general public to industry professionals.  Prof Scholle has received numerous awards from the AAPG (American Association of Petroleum Geologists), is an honorary member of SEPM, has received  the Sproule Memorial Award, and the R. H. Dott Sr. Memorial Award and recently received the AGI Ian Campbell medal for service to the geosciences.

Michael Mideke worked for 23 years as resident caretaker/manager of a remote wilderness property in the Santa Lucia mountains south of Big Sur, CA. During this period he became involved with radio geophysics, working on projects with Stanford University and NASA as well as in film, and  photography. He was on the front line when it came to starting a local fire department in Magdalena, NM. In 2003 he completed the VLA Antenna Transport Video (still on view at the VLA Visitor Center.)   As a mentor he is kindness personified, an adventurer, and a seeker with many wisdoms beyond fire management, photography and video production. 

Both Peter Scholle and Michael Mideke live in the area.

Cari Corbet-Owen is a passionate natural builder who has built everything from benches, chicken coops, pizza ovens, walls and cottages from earth.  She’s a Clinical Psychologist who teaches people to take pleasure in simple sustainable, active and healthy lifestyles.

To apply for this grant please contact Cari

The land to be stewarded....

Cabin on property
Magnificent sunsets
Daisy meadow
Firepit with a view

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