My work uniform on Halloween at BLM Carlsbad.

Sitting at a plastic table in an airplane hangar and eating my plate of barbecue, I looked around and thought about my place at the BLM. All around me were firefighters, ranchers, contractors, pilots, politicians, movers, shakers, and BLMers from all levels of the agency. BLM New Mexico was celebrating the two millionth acre treated under the Restore New Mexico program, and it was a perfect closing for my internship in Carlsbad. I was a grunt-level contributor, spraying weeds and observing aerial treatments. As such, I didn’t appreciate the scale of our project until then. Over an area bigger than Delaware, the grasslands were producing grass again.
If I had worked anywhere but Carlsbad, this would not be my closing memory. Many factors made two million acres possible, not least of which was collaboration with partners from beyond the BLM. Popping in through the CLM program, I guess I’m one such partner, a small one. But a coalition of small partners galvanized by big personalities can do big things.
I end this internship oozing with institutional pride. I hear Carlsbad praised over and over again for its efficiency, thanks to its use of technology and to its extra-agency relationships. When managing multiple uses goes smoothly, it frees the BLM here to play a proactive role. The Restore New Mexico program and the promise of being “a steward of the land” is what fuel my plans to return to the BLM.
I felt at home with the BLM in Carlsbad. Any time I needed help, or information, or guidance, or a vehicle it felt natural to go to the right person and ask. I could expect them to listen and help me out. Despite their different outlooks and responsibilities everyone was my teammate. On Halloween, our team’s uniform included an outfit for the office costume contest. I cemented my sense of belonging when I stepped up as the Jolly Green Giant to receive the winning prize. I am so, so thankful for the CLM program, without which I would never have made it to this part of the world, never cruised through the sand with the windows down, never learned my desert grasses, never painted oil pads with blue with herbicide, and never worn green face paint to work.