It has been great to get back to work and jump back onto ongoing projects.
The past couple of months I have primarily been working on projects related to the desert restoration crews. It has been a push to get everything completed as their season started in October! I have been gathering field data and putting together work plans for the Student Conservation Association’s (SCA) Desert Restoration crews. I have spent a good bit of time in the field hiking/driving around wilderness areas documenting restoration sites, seeing it rain (yes, it can rain here!), catching a glimpse of wild horses, and generally enjoying working in such beautiful terrain. I have also spend a fair bit of time compiling all my data into maps and work plan portfolios. I led 4 days of training for the SCA Project Leaders. I trained them on fence building and hard barrier construction. It was refreshing to be back out camping in the desert and enjoying the desert nights as we transitioned into the desert fall!
In addition to all the restoration planning, I assisted in the opening of the Nadeau Trail. The first National Recreation Trail in California. It is an historic transport trail used by Remi Nadeau in the transporting of gold down to the LA area and supplies back up to the mountains. It is now used as an off highway vehicle trail. A pretty cool trail with lots of great views, old mines, and cabins.
I also joined the Wilderness Coordinator in attending the Wilderness Leadership meeting at the California Desert District office. I was able to sit in on some of the behind the scenes discussions that go on between BLM field offices and public groups concerning the management of wilderness areas.
I am currently emerged in the world of Wilderness First Responder training in Bishop, CA. I am learning and practicing all the wonderful and valuable medical skills that are required to aid in a medical emergency in wilderness settings. Bring on the patients, litter carries, splint building, injury make-up, sucking chest wounds, and wound care! We got this!
Farewell til next time!
Catherine