In my first three weeks of interning here in Arcata, CA I have had the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the particular vegetation communities throughout this very unique region of the country. This is my second internship through CLM and it is entirely different from my last. I have spent at least 75% of my time in the field. My mentor, Jennifer, showed me through the procedures for two separate vegetation surveys which she does annually, but I was quickly set loose to complete the work solo. I’m grateful that she has such confidence in my ability to learn on the fly to take charge of data collection essentially immediately.

The first project upon which we are focusing is monitoring the life history characteristics of noted specimens of Beach layia (Layia carnosa), a small fleshy plant growing on the naturally disturbed areas of the dunes surrounding Humboldt Bay. While the species is currently listed as endangered, my mentor along with several of her colleagues believe that the species is thriving well enough to merit down-listing by the USFWS. Our data from this season is critical to accomplishing those agenda.

The second project, which has consumed most of my time thus far, is surveying the vegetation along several established transects on the dunes that my mentor and previous interns have been surveying since 1999. This project has forced me to learn 30-40 species of dune dwelling plants, from native and rare to invasive. I have picked up several of the species rapidly, but others take time. Nonetheless my confidence in identification and efficient surveying along the transect has improved in these first couple weeks.

I am very much enjoying my time in northern California. Coming from the east coast, this climate is very similar to what I would be seeing in New England this time of year, but it is also my favorite type of weather. There is ample rain and humidity–without the stifling heat– which is a welcome change from my first internship on the front range in Colorado. I’m looking forward to finishing up the dune work this spring and moving on to other projects that Jennifer has waiting in other areas of BLM land later on in the summer. I expect to have more to write about regarding exploring the thick coast redwood and douglas fir forests in my next entry.

Andy, BLM Arcata