This program aims to support young people starting their careers in the field of conservation. Under this program internships are carried out within the Príncipe Foundation, in which interns integrate conservation projects taking place within the Príncipe Foundation in order to develop their conservation skills and tools.

Between 2017 and 2018 the Foundation hosted Davide Dias as a CLP intern and he was integrated in the conservation project of the threatened flora of Príncipe Island. In this contact, Davide developed a series of practical skills in biological and social data collection and management, caring for tree and orchid species in ex-situ mode, gaining experience in the Foundation's internal work and helping to reduce direct pressure on forest resources.

Context:

This internship program is run with the support of the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP), an organization that seeks to build skills and empower individuals and institutions to protect the planet's natural resources. CLP is made up of three conservation partner organizations - Birdlife International, Fauna & Flora International, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Founded in 1985, it has supported more than 600 high-priority conservation projects in over 100 countries. Together with the Príncipe Foundation, it has worked to enable the development of young people from local communities in the field of conservation.

Main activities developed:

Support environmental education campaigns for various projects of the Príncipe Foundation

Administrative support to the terrestrial conservation program and FP office: organizing the logistics of two phases of botanical expeditions, digitalization and management of social and biological data
English language training
Training and acting as local botanical expert in the floristic survey of Príncipe Island
Management of the database of the herbarium of Príncipe's Natural Park and preparation and maintenance of samples of the collection, as well as the creation and maintenance of the Orchidarium of Príncipe's Natural Park
Organization and execution of two trainings in GPS - Ecotourism class and Regional Direction of Infrastructures
Support in carrying out the forest inventory in the Agroforest of the Associação dos Terapeutas Tradicionais do Príncipe (Association of Traditional Therapists of Príncipe)
Training and act as local botanical expert in the floristic survey of Príncipe Island awarded with a travel grant (Alumni Travel Grant) for two weeks of exchange in the Botanical Institute of São Paulo, Brazil, for training in botanical collections.