Hello from Rawlins, WY! I’m just finishing up my second week working at the BLM under the Seeds of Success Program. The main goal of our particular project is to gather seeds from species that will benefit the Greater Sage Grouse and pollinators. For the most part, it’s still a little too early for things to be blooming, but we’ve managed to collect voucher specimens for Lomatium foeniculaceum (desert biscuitroot), Phlox hoodii (spiny phlox), and Erysimum capitatum (wallflower). I’m sure a few of you guys are familiar with these plants.

I’ve only made it out into the field a couple times, but I absolutely can’t wait to head out again. The Rawlins Field Office is extremely vast, and covers a wide range of landscapes and environments. My favorite place I’ve been so far is the Ferris Mountains. I wish I had pictures so I could show everyone how spectacular this little mountain range is, but I have a feeling those hypothetical photos still wouldn’t do the place justice. Plus, it’s where I saw my first rattlesnake!

Speaking of rattlesnakes, the wildlife here is as astounding as it is prevalent. I can’t go five minutes without spotting mule deer or pronghorn, and I honestly can’t see myself getting sick of seeing these cool animals any time soon. Some other exciting critters I’ve seen include burrowing owls, a mountain plover, a badger, a moose, and a horned lizard, just to name a few.

While the animals are pretty awesome, I have to admit that the plants have me even more excited. I’m a total plant geek, and having been dropped into an entirely new ecoregion with which I’m completely unfamiliar is absolutely thrilling. I’ve learned a solid 20-30 plants so far, and I look forward to learning as many as I possibly can in the months ahead!