It is hard to believe that I am halfway through! I have seen and experienced so much since my last post…where to begin?  Stephen and I are up to over thirty collections and will have a busy week ahead of us.  As my collecting area is the Colorado Plateau, I have been fortunate to see beautiful parts of Arizona, Utah, and Colorado!

We just returned from Montrose, Colorado where we spent a week camping and collecting on BLM land located on the Uncompahgre Plateau.  The Uncompahgre Plateau covers around 2,300 miles on the western slope of the Rockies and is a high domed upland peaking at 10,300’.  Due to the elevation gradient, the UP supports a wide range of plant and wildlife communities and is BEAUTIFUL! The plateau’s varying landscape ranges from shrubby desert plants in a pinyon-juniper woodland to lush green forests comprised of Ponderosa pine, aspen and blue spruce.  It is so interesting how drastically different the life zones are given the close proximity.

We met with folks from the Uncompahgre Partnership, comprising of Sate and Federal agencies including: Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Public Lands Partnership, Western Area Power Administration and Tri-State Generation. The Uncompahgre Partnership strives to improve the ecosystem health and natural functions of the Uncompahgre Plateau. We’ve had the privilege to play a role in the partnership’s goal of improving habitat quality for threatened and endangered wildlife species- specifically, the Gunnison sage grouse. We collected seeds from plant species that are of special concern for reestablishing a healthy habitat for the sage grouse. It is very rewarding to play even the smallest role in working towards conserving the habitat of a declining species. Hopefully with time, sufficient habitat for the sage-grouse can be restored and enhanced. Well, until next time.  Hope all is well!

One of our collecting sites

Lupinus argenteus-my favorite forb!

enjoying the desert

Rebecca

Flagstaff, AZ

Hello from Flagstaff, AZ! Where to begin? Three weeks ago I graduated from a small liberal arts college in Minnesota. The following week was spent unpacking my college life and re-packing for the adventure in the southwest, a place I had never been. Phoenix’s 104 degree weather was a real treat as I stepped off the plane. However, I was headed north to beautiful “Flag”- and here I am in the Ponderosa Pine city! Highlights thus far include:

1. Abert’s squirrels- one of the funniest little creatures I’ve ever laid eyes on. At a first glance, I thought it was a rabbit. If you’ve never caught a glimpse of this squirrel-gone-rabbit critter you should google image it- they’re pretty funny.

2. Fires in Flagstaff- my first time witnessing a forest fire and I get to see three at once! Luckily it is now at 30% containment and people are able to return to their homes.

3. Forests intermixed with Lupine and Ponderosa- it is beautiful.

As many of you have noted, I have already learned a great deal and created everlasting memories. My mentor, Patty West, is wonderful and teaches me new things everyday- from seed collecting to ethno botany to the secrets of making curry sauces! I am so excited to meet you all in a few days at the Grand Canyon It should be a fantastic time! Hope all is well!

Rebecca Rand,  Seeds of Success Intern

Landsward Institute,  BLM,  Flagstaff, AZ