September 2010

Hello Current and Future Interns!

One of the unique experiences I had this summer was a chance to visit and tour the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (NCGRP). Their mission is, ” to acquire, evaluate, preserve, and provide a national collection of genetic resources to secure the biological diversity that underpins a sustainable U.S. agricultural economy through diligent stewardship, research, and communication.” Getting to see where some of the thousands of seeds I collected this summer end up (in a minus 20 degrees Celsius freezer or vat of liquid nitrogen) really made my contribution seem a lot more salient. All the at times monotnous hours I spent out in the field in Colorado enables the valuable research that goes on here – to preserve food security and protect the biodiversity of our country. It was a nice reminder that even the seemingly menial and repetitive tasks you may have to perform as a CLM intern, such as seed collection, have important conservation applications and do make a positive impact.

A vat of liquid nitrogen.

Where the genetic material is kept.

This is how the seed is packaged for long-term storage.

Here is a current germination trial.

If you are interested in learning more about NCGRP, I encourage you to check out their website and take the virtual tour: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/site_main.htm?modecode=54-02-05-00

Cheers,

Diana DelleChiaie

Conservation and Land Management Intern

Colorado State Office of the Bureau of Land Management