This internship has definitely put me into a position to meet lot of people that work in the conservation and land management field. Out here in the west there are so many offices that work in these areas; be it the BLM, Park Service or Forest Service. In work week 2, our crew got to meet a manager from the Lake Mead Recreation Area to talk to us about desert tortoise and the unique plant genetics of her management area. I have also gotten some great opportunities to visit the BLM office in Ely, NV. This week off I decided to travel up and do some volunteer work for them. It has been a great way to see what the BLM is all about and some of the work and issues they deal with. It has been very informative to some one from the East Coast where we don’t get much exposure to that administration.

The skills I have gained from working with the very knowledgeable people involved in this program have been great. My mentor is an encyclopedia of knowledge on plant species in Nevada and very knowledgeable about the ecosystems as well. I’ve learned so much about the major species in the Mojave Desert which will be invaluable as the eyes of conservation begin to focus in on this region. Even the vast number of things I’ve learned, barely scratches the surface of information to be learned about this region.

Moving a long way from home has also definitely taken me out of my comfort zone. After having established myself in my college town for a few years and having a great base of friends, it has been hard to reorient myself in this new place; especially with such a strange work schedule and not having a solid base office to work from.

It has been a challenge to suppress my desire for that safe and yet stagnant place of comfort and keep perspective on the great opportunities this internship is providing for me. I’ve had the chance to meet people from all over the country and learn from their differing perspectives and experiences.