06/20/10

An encounter with a bull snake has left me thinking, “This job is awesome!” After jumping back and taking a few long, quick, nervous strides away from what first appeared to be a rattlesnake I found myself smiling widely and feeling very lucky to have the outdoors as my work environment. This CLM internship has afforded me the opportunity to start to get a feel for working for the government at the BLM state office in Colorado while at the same time getting me outside in the foothills almost every day. As an ARRA SOS intern my primary responsibility is seed collection. Little BLM land is located near the Denver area so we have been exploring the Open Space Parks of Jefferson County. Here along the trails in the foothills the wildflowers are blooming and the colors are beautiful. Few populations are ready for collection so we are mainly scouting the parks, taking notes, and making reports. Hiking and searching for wildflowers, what a way to spend the work day!