I just completed my first week with the Hollister BLM working as a Botany Technician. This BLM offices administers a very large area mainly on the west side of the I-5 corridor. It contains some of the largest areas of exposed serpentine rock in the state. These serpentine areas support a number of rare, endangered and also some endemic species. During this time of year we are monitoring populations Camissonia benitensis (San Benito Evening Primrose) while it is blooming. This primrose is listed as threatened and was once believed to grow only on serpentine rocks. It has recently been shown to grow in other areas, but its range is quite limited. There is a great Wikipedia page (that I suspect my mentor wrote) all about this plant if you are interested in more info. Monitoring for this plant will be our main focus for the next few weeks as it is much easier to spot when it is blooming ( it is usually less than 10cm tall!). In addition to this plant, I have also gotten to learn about other serpentine plants that I have never seen before, as well as visiting some very out of the way places in California that I have never been before.