With a continuation of conducive field weather, I’ve had the opportunity to help out with a mix of projects. The larger, longer lasting ones have been through fuels and wildlife. With fuels, I’ve carried on with cutting and stacking sticks to form piles worthy of our fuels ecologist’s approval. She can crack a whip like it’s nobody’s business. Gotta love her for it, though. When you see a side by side of someone’s careless, shoddy stack next to a sturdy, compact stack that will burn the first time, you’ll see the difference. It saves the BLM money and resources, too.

With wildlife, I helped with a sage-grouse habitat treatment project. This project basically entails cutting juniper trees down that are migrating outside of deep draws (waterways) and into sage-grouse habitat. The BLM was able to host Montana Conservation Corps (MCC) volunteers to assist with saws and well-needed backbone. Their assistance gave the BLM a chance to reclaim an important corridor for sage-grouse populations to flow between Wyoming and Montana. Fighting the good fight for a potentially listed species.

I saved the saddest part for last, mostly because it’s the most affecting. Two of the interns have left town in pursuit of bigger things. Like all wonderful things (sunshine, fresh seafood, and monarch butterflies just to name a few), they had to set, rot, or fly to Mexico respectively. They were both awesome, and I’m so happy I had the chance to meet them. Sometimes you wish you had more time, but our universe doesn’t care about your wishes. All you can do is reflect on the great times you’ve had and move on to find more. I hope to see them again.

Two interns left to dominate Buffalo. Let’s see if we make the local newspaper. Well… until next time.

Despite the government shutdown, the past four weeks have been filled with some interest. During a full week, the entire computer system was down due to the Colorado flooding. No email, no shared drive, no files (a lot less than what a number of people experienced). It was time for the office to get creative. As a group, the four of us interns received some fuels duties from the office fire ecologist which involved split team mapping of soon-to-be-burnt slash piles and assessing previously burnt ones. The assessment of burnt piles was basically supplying photo points and native/invasive regeneration documentation. The soon-to-be-burnt pile mapping was quite literally that… mapping piles of slash. While it may not seem that important, this practice actually helps the fire crews find and burn every pile during the heavy snows in winter so their resources are spent more accurately and wisely. This was somewhat monotonous, but what a wonderful break from the office. I’ll take a paid high elevation woodland hike any day!

Around the same area, we had a small amount of trail maintenance going on. Three of us on that day kicked that trail’s butt. Albeit short for a trail, it held some gorgeous views and perfect weather. Lunch on a shaded rock with some cool people and more high elevation hiking… yes please!

Having the chance to receive saw training (“chainsaw” if you’re a newb like me), I jumped on that as fast as I could. The classroom part of training held at a nearby field office supplied the chance to meet some other BLMers and get some absolutely incredible Mexican fast food for lunch. Did you say, “what the what!?” Me too. Authentic Mexican as fast food? Unbelievable. That stuff was awesome! One plate being enough to feed two, it kept my appetite at bay for quite some time afterwards. My eyes are open to a new world of possibility. It’s probably for the best that this place is a long drive from Buffalo. I’d be broke, heavy, and happy. Then again, maybe that’s the purpose of life. Later on in the week, us trainees went out with our awesome office fire crew for the field part of training. I felt great on how my cuts and felling (dropping) went. The trees landed right where I predicted they would. Limbing (bucking) was a fun chore, but my gosh do those saws get heavy. Assessing rangeland all summer can make one’s arms soft. As a side note for the hyper-concerned about cutting trees, they were near a major road, close to town, and adjoined a larger stretch of forest. The cutting of smaller trees serves as a fire break so the larger trees don’t catch, destroying the whole forest and local buildings causing more harm.

While on furlough, I’ve been looking for other jobs for when this awesome one ends – Harder than it seems. I’ve also been hanging out with my fellow interns – Always a blast. And I’ve been exposing myself to educational documentaries of every kind – The more you know.

Any-who, it’s been an interesting ride lately. What else does the world have to offer?

So… apparently summer doesn’t last forever in the desert-like environment of Wyoming. Somebody once told me it had to do with the way the Earth tilts and rotates around the Sun, yet, according to some groups, that theory is still up for debate. I’m not here to choose sides, I’d just like to let my devout followers know that the times they are a changin’.

My intern counterpart, Dan (along with some assistance from our friends Nick and Kelley), and I have knocked out around 50 grazing allotments, photo-points, and range improvements. Not too shabby for less than 3 months with a mixture of other projects. Feeling pretty happy about that, the question comes to mind, “what happens when the grass ain’t grass no more?” There is but one answer: DATA ENTRY! I understand you might have just jumped back in your seat. That’s a perfectly normal reaction. Really, its not that bad. You find your own system. Mine is the occasional standing stretch to get some uninhibited blood flow and a monitor break.

While our office time has been looming, we’ve also been involved in some recreation projects. One of which: all four of the interns were invited along to clean fishing access trails and stream beds of trash that may have been forgotten about. This was quite the exciting adventure with mule deer, evidence of mountain lions, large centipedes, and an abundance of aquatic plants. To top the 2 day trip off, we were able to see some of the local caves (or as far as a head lamp could shine down steep, light-less drop-offs). Quite the rewarding trip to know you’re helping clean a beautiful area and see parts of it most locals my not have ventured. This was one of the coolest trips we’ve taken through the recreation program.

With more projects through range, recreation, and possibly other fields, I’m looking forward. For now, back to our collected data.

So this is apparently a fairly long growing season for the Buffalo Field Office. We expected to be done running transects by late July. Our stack of completed allotments continues to grow, and more exciting opportunities keep showing up. Even more amazing… after all this time in the field, we keep finding species we haven’t come across before. We’ve literally been all over these plains, seen numerous ecosites, and are still keying new plants. There’s even a grass (commonly called Buffalo Grass) we’ve seen in one allotment growing abundantly that we’ve yet to see again. Pretty Awesome.

Earlier, I had the chance to camp out for about 4 days and assist in an interdisciplinary assessment of a local wildlife study area. The first part involved boring a number of trees for age, checking them for insect damage, and overlooking the canyon below (for science, of course). I learned so much about the effects of fire and insects from our fuels specialists and her counterpart from a nearby office. They are so knowledgeable  professional, and instructive. Really impressive people. Next, it was quite the hike down to the bottom of the canyon where there were water assessments, invasive plant assessments, raptor nest scouting, and bat collections going on. My first time seeing a bat   up close, and let me tell you, It Was Awesome! My girlfriend, who works with bats, would always tell me how cute they are. I naturally shrugged it off until I had my chance. They’ve got some amazing adaptations. From the structure of their arms to their squished noses to their incredible ears. We caught a rarity once. It’s called the Townsend Bat. Look it up, and see those ears and nose for yourself.

One of my fellow interns Kelly and I were given the task of corralling a group of children for a morning lesson on plants. We were given the freedom to create our own lesson plan, so (with the aid of the awesome booklets Kelly made) we were able to describe many uses for plants and how pollinators work in a particular ecosystem. Apparently edible plants are the best way to get a youngster’s attention, but maybe not hold it. They were so anxious to eat every berry they could find. Thankfully they ran up to us and asked if they were “eat-able” first.

Not so much job related, but I was graced with a visit from my significant other between her bat studies. I had prearranged plans during that time so I was here for about half of it. Thankfully, she had Kelly as appointed ambassador of Buffalo to show her the rodeo and other excitement. I feel fortunate to have had the time to show her around the amazing town that is Buffalo. We were able to see Devil’s Tower during Sturgis bike week. The monument is stunning. The theory on its formation is mind blowing. The statement in the visitor center on the aim towards silence while hundreds of bikes roar around was humorous.

Onward to more fun in the sun with the friends and coworkers I have here in Wyoming. Stay tuned for more action.

Since my return from Chicago, Dan (the other range intern) and I have been busy cranking out transects. Being in a fairly dry area, and at an elevation that ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 ft., we’ve honed our skills quite quickly to get as much of the grazing allotments done within the short growing season. “It’s all about teamwork,” is what you might hear just before we back each other up singing hits from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s on the way to the next allotment. We’ve also had the pleasure of a few jam sessions with the SOS interns, as we assist each other on our various projects. Nick and Kelly are awesome!

Things have been great! I’ve finally got desirable items in my apartment after loads of yard sale scouring and free item snatching. That affordable, non-air conditioned place is starting to feel like a home. I’ve never needed much, and I feel college, backpacking, and all my other hobbies (or shenanigans) have prepared me for a nomadic lifestyle. However, I do like cooking and lounging, so I’ll gather those “necessary” items for the time being.

My plans for the near future entail monitoring as long as the fields hold some color, hanging out with other employees, and hiking the Big Horn Mountains. Despite day hikes, I have yet to pull an overnight hike near one of the many peaks in that range. Although, I suppose my problem is a good one. Getting caught up in the frequent festivals and employee get-togethers are a welcomed treat from Buffalo and its inhabitants.

That’s all the news for now. Goodnight, Buffalo.

This place is gorgeous!

Some might say it’s small and a bore. All that means is there’s more to explore. So spend your money on great food and gas, and keep driving that motor home right on past. (Working on my hokey rhymes!)

Driving from good ol’ Tennessee, I thought I’d be lonesome in the expansive fields of crops our nation’s farmers tend. Experience is quite the opposite! Blaring whatever my car’s AM/FM radio would pick up (rock, pop, country, and NPR), I toted my belongings right along. Most of my trip’s action was surprisingly in South Dakota where I saw the world’s only corn palace, the highly advertised Wall Drug, and Badlands National Park with all its beauty and wildlife. All this to crest over a Wyoming town and see the ice-capped skyline of the Bighorns. This was my first driving view of the western mountains, and man, did I feel small?

I’ve been here for 2 weeks now, and making my way in Buffalo has been a smooth transition. My mentor, the other interns, the entire BLM staff, some NFS staff, and other locals have been more than friendly. Smiles and “good mornings” make it sound cheesy, but try staying grumpy when your time off has so much potential between the active townspeople and the Bighorn mountains (maybe 5 miles away).

The first week was filled with documentation, government approval, and a quick outing. The second week, however, we’ve really hit the field as Range interns . Being in a new environment, I feel I’m relearning some of my plant identification. TN’s got its trees and mosses, and WY’s got its grasses and sagebrush. Spending time training in the field has exposed me to a new ecosystem, one in which cattle and sheep have been utilized as factors for land use and preservation. In running through protocols, we’ve begun to develop an understanding of what our role, through BLM, is in monitoring and managing land use.

Soon, myself and fellow interns will be cut loose to conduct our work. Looking forward to a great internship in Buffalo, WY!