Here on the front range in Colorado it seems like a very mild and sporadic winter.  One week we get anywhere from 2 inches to 8 inches of snow and then the next day or the next week the snow is gone and it is 60 degrees out.  I’ve been told that the spring along Colorado’s front range is when the snow comes in feet and it is a heavy wet snow, so I am looking forward to seeing how my mountain bike handles those commutes.

At work I have realized that model building in excel will be somewhat helpful to a certain extent, but after that I believe a more robust modeling program will be require to produce the results that I am looking to find for the species I am studying.  For a week and a half I was scouring every biostatistical text that my mentor had, trying to figure out how to apply a McNemar’s sample size specific equation to the data for the Phacelia I’ve working on and did figure it all out.  The issue was the results for the sample size, which was considerably higher than excepted.  Since I am trying to establish an easily followed monitoring protocol, a high number of transects might introduce a risk of misidentification due to fatigue possibly and the fact that it won’t be as quick.  So I have decided to find a different method to monitor the Phacelia that is quick and results in data that is robust enough to hold up to scrutiny from peers.

As much reading and research as I have been doing, I have only been able to get out of the office a couple of times.  I went up to Fort Collins for a Landscape Genetics workshop, which was a part of the Colorado Chapter of the Wildlife Society Meeting that was happening the entire week.  At the workshop the subject matter was all wildlife related as expected, but the methods used in tracking gene flow across the landscape could possibly be implemented into a plant population or at least the software could be utilized.  Even though my main focus right now is on plants, I still found the methods use and subject matter quite interesting (wolverine movements, greater sage grouse, a general overview of genetic lab work, how population genetics can help you transfer into landscape genetics).

The group here at the state office also went to silt to a Level 1 group meeting which include personnel from USFWS, USFS and BLM and was a discussion of the current management going on for sensitive species, both plants and wildlife, and updates on listing status and certain projects that have been completed or want to start.  It was an open discussion type meeting where inputs were given on methodology and application and overall was a very interesting day to see the differences in management priorities between the different federal agencies.  It gave me some insight into the type of management that I would prefer doing in my career and then which agency I would like to work for based on those management priorities.

Regards,

Nathan Redecker

BLM CO State Office

Lakewood, CO

The drought continues here in California.  We did have a few small rain events since my last blog.  They brought enough water to create flooding (ironic because we are still in a “drought” and have had less than 20% of average rainfall).  Water restrictions in Sacramento have been increased to 40% and are being called “mandatory”, but because less than half of the residences in the city have water meters, this is virtually impossible to enforce.  Further complicating the issue is that a significant amount of the water used in the state is by farmers and comes  from private farm wells, which from what I understand is highly unregulated.  In addition, many cities in southern California sell water like a commodity, so local governments are hesitant to put restrictions on water usage fearing lawsuits from water companies.  The entire issue seems quite messy but the bottom line is that there is going to be catastrophic consequences in this state if people don’t start taking the issue of water conservation more seriously.

As part of my position here at the Cosumnes River Preserve I am responsible for overseeing some of the restoration projects currently underway.  I have made water conservation and efficiency major considerations in my irrigation system designs for these projects.  We actually just had a very successful workday last Thursday (2/13) and were able to get one of my drip irrigation systems fully installed.  After months of project reports, proposals, quotes, supply ordering, conceptualizing, schematic drawings, meetings, etc. it is always very exciting to finally see a part of your project installed and functioning properly.  This particular site is fully prepped and ready for plant installation.  Most of what we will be planting are cuttings of native species which I identified and collected several weeks ago from my reference site less than a mile away.  The cuttings are a great way to save money when funding is tight and depending on where you collect can also ensure that you are not introducing new, genetically inapt plants to your site.  More details as project progresses…

It’s been an eventful first month here at the Colorado State BLM Office in Lakewood.  This is my second stint as a CLM intern after spending last field season working at the Alturas Field Office in northern California. It is a definite change of pace and scenery to be living and working in the hustle and bustle of the highly developed and urban Denver Metro Area after spending six months in the Wild West of the Modoc Plateau. I am looking forward to working around the great state of Colorado in some of the off-the-beaten-path areas which characterize the western slope.

As the snow continues to fly in the southern Rocky Mountains (and in great quantities) it will be a while before our field work kicks into gear. In the mean time I am working on a report and demographic monitoring design for an extremely rare endemic species of mustard of the genus Eutrema (related to wasabi). The species was isolated in the high elevation alpine tundra of the Mosquito Range in central Colorado as the glaciers retreated post last glacial maximum. The species from which Eutrema penlandii apparently diverged now persists over 1,000 miles to the north on the arctic tundra of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. This ice-age relict is perhaps the most rare and endangered taxa in all of Colorado; consisting of 13 small populations which cling to extremely specified habitat above 11,800ft.

For me it is fascinating to work with a species which exemplifies the complexity of a changing climate and the dynamic processes which shape life and diversity within the biological community. I am excited to spend the next half a year or so working in various capacities with rare and endangered species while developing my skills both in the field and the office. There should be plenty of good stories and photos to share over the coming months; so stay tuned.

Until next time from the Front Range,

Phil Krening

CLM intern

Lakewood, CO

My internship experience was a challenge to be sure. I learned a lot about where I wanted to be and how affected I was by harsh landscapes and living rurally in the Midwest. I also learned a ton of new plants and gained my first skills in collecting seeds and working in a herbarium. I’m glad for all of these things and will continue to be a seed-curious person for the rest of my days.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of the CLM Internship Program and I wish it and its future interns great luck and success!

This month I have been able to spend more time exploring and monitoring the Coso Wilderness.  It is quite a surprising land.  The Coso Mountains are known for their abundance of prehistoric rock art and the wild horse and burros that roam the area.  During my explorations, I did manage to see one small herd of wild horses and one pictograph site.  Though,  I have discovered the variety and depth of treasures that exist in these desert mountains.   I have spent a couple of month visiting the area, recording the boundary conditions, and making recommendations for restoration.

This wilderness has shown me signs of the past, signs of life and of death, the power of natural forces, and the beauty of its natural landscape.  There has been snow, sand dunes, active mines, abandoned mining site, lithic scatters, pictographs, dry lake beds, snakes, horses, pack rats, birds, bone and skulls, historic cabins, gorgeous views of the high sierra, the famous location of the U2 Joshua Tree,  large stands of Joshua tree, cars now acting as permanent fixtures of washes, roads completely washed out and/or missing, rocks displaying brilliant red/orange/yellow colors, and many more small wonders. My time hiking and exploring the Coso Wilderness has really strengthened my appreciation for the unique value found here in the Mojave Desert and has gotten me to reflect in its beauty.

I have learned that there are many who may consider this desert a dead and barren land; a place that has no life and no use; one that can be ridden over and used without care or consideration.  I will admit, I was ignorant to the desert before moving out here.  I came from a land that is green year around and has rain a majority of the year.  The initial visual impression of the desert was shocking to my eyes.  I saw brown, various shades of brown, what looked like dead vegetation, lack of trees and limited water.  I saw what wasn’t here.  Now, after living here for almost 2 years, I have begun to see what is here.  The unmatched sunrises and sunsets, the open expanses, summer thunderstorms and flash floods, the smell of creosote when it rains, the variety of colors (not just brown), the variety of vegetation and their amazing adaptations, the seasonal blooms, the unique wildlife (Mojave green rattlesnake, tarantulas, scorpions, desert tortoise, ground squirrels, burrowing owls, and others), the fascinating mining history, and that is just to name a few.  It is a place that hides nothing and exposes all.   I have really discovered the life, value, and beauty that exist here in the Mojave Desert over the past 2 years being immersed in its reality.  Yes it is a harsh environment of extremes and a land where survival can be a struggle, but it is also so much more!

Owen’s Dry Lake bed

Coso Wilderness monitoring in the snow!

Coso Wilderness monitoring- old mining site

Coso Wilderness- this car is now the bank of a wash!

Coso Wilderness- monitoring discoveries

Coso Wilderness monitoring- Joshua Tree stand

Coso Wilderness- yes cattle once grazed here and still do in some places!

Joshua Flats hike- Coso Wilderness

Coso Wilderness monitoring- view of High Seirras

Coso Wilderness monitoring- sweet cabin

Coso Wilderness monitoring- inside of sweet cabin

Coso Wilderness- Marty and I

Coso Wilderness monitoring- It does snow in the desert!

Coso Wilderness monitoring- I have to cross that?!

Coso Wilderness monitoring- I crossed that?!

Basal rosettes of a puncturebract (Cienega Seca puncturebract?)

Ruby’s tail. You can see scarring (darker areas) at the very tip.

On Jan. 21^st, we visited a few areas on the forest in the vicinity of the Bighorn Wilderness, which is near the desert side of the SBNF.  The transition to Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) woodland starts a few miles east of the ranger station.  We visited populations of Acanthoscyphus parishii var. cf cienegensis, (Cienega Seca puncturebract), Eriogonum ovalifolium var. vineum (Cushenbury buckwheat, federally endangered), and Astragalus albens (Cushenbury milk vetch, federally endangered).  New finds for the day included a mystery Astragalus (possibly A. tidestromii, SBNF sensitive, or A. leucolobus, Bear Valley woollypod, SBNF watch) and also possibly a new location of Erigeron parishii (Parish’s daisy, federally threatened). We also saw a very large Tucker’s oak (Quercus john-tuckeri).  There was historically a lot of prospecting and mining in the area, and we saw several open mine shafts.  I enjoyed learning a bit about mining law.  Also in late January, we spent a day doing riparian monitoring in the vicinity of the Santa Ana River.     

We’ve largely been continuing work on the invasive plant guide, and are now doing more formatting and editing.  I hiked up to the top of Mt. San Gorgonio on the weekend of January 10-12, and among other species, saw some Eriogonum kenneydi var. alpigenum. The next weekend, I explored the Deep Creek area north of Splinter’s Cabin near Lake Arrowhead.

The office southern rubber boa (Charina umbratica), Ruby, ate two baby mice yesterday (they were already dead).  Southern rubber boas are a sensitive species on the SBNF.  Ruby usually spends her time buried in the litter under her water dish (especially in winter), and so we don’t see her too often.  Rubber boas prey on young mammals, including on deer mice, voles, and shrews.  They are often attacked by the adult prey species in the process of eating nestlings, and so older rubber boas have scarring on their tails (this is visible in the photo).  I didn’t get a picture of her snacking, but it is much more exciting.   

Mountaintop Ranger District

Big Bear Lake, CA

So far, the new year has been relatively calm, as the West Eugene Wetlands is in its slow season. January consisted of a small amount of field work; last fall my partner and I began preparations for endangered plant species augementation. We set up three new macroplots in which plant species will be planted in the spring. We then covered each macroplot with shadecloth to control invasive species that may crowd out the endangered species. In January, we revisited the macroplots to make sure that nothing had happened to the shade cloth. At two of the sites everything was fine, but at one site, we arrived to find several sections of the shadecloth ripped up and what appeared to be a dead animal lying smack in the middle of the macroplot. The supposed dead animal was actually a very ominous and unnerving stuffed animal–a cat, with wide staring eyes that seemed to follow us as we examined the shadecloth. Under the stuffed animal’s scrutiny, we determined that the ripped shadecloth was most likely caused by a coyote looking for food beneath the shadecloth, which will require us to return and patch the holes.

Oregon’s unusual weather continues to persist, I woke up this morning, looked out the window to find a fine layering of snow on the ground. We’ve had our second snow fall in two months, which is nearly unheard of in Eugene. And while I am getting more experienced in driving in snowy weather, at the same time I can’t help but hope for the typical rainy weather of a Willamette Valley winter.

What an incredible opportunity to be able to work and live in the Great Basin! My name is Ethan Hughes and I am working out of the Carson City Field Office of the BLM as a botany intern. The vastness of this area is pretty amazing and I am very excited about getting to learn many new species of plants and animals. Carson City is a nice little town nestled on the edge of the eastern front of the Sierra Nevada range. What beautiful mountains they are indeed!

Today was our first opportunity for field work and we were able to look at the utilization rates of certain plant species by cattle. This field work took us to two really neat places on BLM land. Both were riparian zones and we were able to see Salix exigua, Populus fremontii and other interesting species of plants. The second riparian zone was very cool because it was higher up in Pinyon-juniper woodlands with Juniperus osteosperma, Rosa woodsii, Artemesia tridentata, Elymus elymoides and other species of plants that were very interesting, such as Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum. We also saw a White-tailed antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) and a coyote, which ran across the highway to test his legs!

I am very much looking forward to the great experiences that will be had here and the knowledge gained from this exciting new adventure!

Great Views