One fine day here in Wyoming a botany intern lead a range intern and a wildlife intern (that’s me!) off into the wild to collect bitterroot seeds. Thankfully, Chris (the botany intern) had planned ahead on this day. Knowing full well that his help was well intentioned but not your typical over-the-top plant loving SOS interns, some much-needed precautions were taken.

First, we were given a rundown of collection protocol so that we didn’t damage the population. I did not realize how many seeds we would need to collect!! This little info session also made me realize how long it had been since I’d had to count past 100…by ones. He finally told us what we were collecting…you guessed it Lewisia rediviva or more commonly known as Bitterroot. Coli (the range intern) and I were so excited! It is one of the most spectacularly colored wildflowers in our office!

Bitterroot Flowers

Bitterroot Flowers

Anticipating a field covered in lovely flowers imagine my slightly let down expression when we were faced with this.

Collection Site

But, all was not lost! The most spectacularly colored flower transformed into a capsule that almost resembled a magnolia blossom (one of my favorite flowers).

Capsule in Life Position

Coli and I were delighted that we were still going to collect something beautiful! The three of us descended upon the hillside and it was not long before all of our bags began to fill with the lovely little pink & cream capsules scarcely bigger than the tip of your thumb.

Collected Capsules

After the collection was done we came back and poured out our bags into a box to let the seeds dry before they continue on their journey. At the end of the day I reflected on my experience and as much fun as this day was, I think I was placed in the right department. Plants are amazing but to me they just aren’t as much fun to search for as the wild creatures of Wyoming.

Collected Capsules

Just another intern making the jump from the East to the West – from Virginia to Wyoming to be exact. I am a part of a smaller group of interns that were lucky enough to land wildlife positions.

When offered the position in Lander I was beyond excited! I have always wanted to live near Yellowstone National Park and study the wildlife in the area. Nothing like checking two things off your bucket list at once! I can say with confidence that this position is helping me to build a strong foundation for my future career. Working with CBG and the BLM has really helped me figure out my path and I am starting to think I am right where I need to be.

Not only do I hike every day for work but I do it on the weekends as well! Lander is a beautiful town with so many things to do I could easily do something different every weekend. My favorite place to adventure near town is Sinks Canyon. You can hike to the waterfall at the top and see a lot of really cool birds on the way. Rock climbing is popular here as well. Recently they opened the Loop Road allowing access to lakes at the top of the mountains.

The falls at Sinks Canyon

The “sink’ at Sinks Canyon

Another place near town is Johnny Behind the Rocks (JBR for short). There are a plethora of hiking and biking trails at JBR. I think I have been to JBR more for work than I have on my own time. But I can’t complain when I work in a place like this.

Johnny Behind the Rocks

Part of my training included a nature walk with the botanist to help me learn the common plants. Many people have this misconception that wildlife people only need to know the wild creatures in an area; this is not the case we also have to know what they like to eat. That meant I had to familiarize myself with all of the grasses, forbs, and woody plants that are commonly eaten by wildlife. JBR is great for wildlife viewing, the trails take you far enough out that you are guaranteed to encounter some wild things.

I am so thankful to be living and working in such a beautiful area of the country. There’s nothing better than being in a field where every day seems less like work and more like a grand adventure.