With a continuation of conducive field weather, I’ve had the opportunity to help out with a mix of projects. The larger, longer lasting ones have been through fuels and wildlife. With fuels, I’ve carried on with cutting and stacking sticks to form piles worthy of our fuels ecologist’s approval. She can crack a whip like it’s nobody’s business. Gotta love her for it, though. When you see a side by side of someone’s careless, shoddy stack next to a sturdy, compact stack that will burn the first time, you’ll see the difference. It saves the BLM money and resources, too.

With wildlife, I helped with a sage-grouse habitat treatment project. This project basically entails cutting juniper trees down that are migrating outside of deep draws (waterways) and into sage-grouse habitat. The BLM was able to host Montana Conservation Corps (MCC) volunteers to assist with saws and well-needed backbone. Their assistance gave the BLM a chance to reclaim an important corridor for sage-grouse populations to flow between Wyoming and Montana. Fighting the good fight for a potentially listed species.

I saved the saddest part for last, mostly because it’s the most affecting. Two of the interns have left town in pursuit of bigger things. Like all wonderful things (sunshine, fresh seafood, and monarch butterflies just to name a few), they had to set, rot, or fly to Mexico respectively. They were both awesome, and I’m so happy I had the chance to meet them. Sometimes you wish you had more time, but our universe doesn’t care about your wishes. All you can do is reflect on the great times you’ve had and move on to find more. I hope to see them again.

Two interns left to dominate Buffalo. Let’s see if we make the local newspaper. Well… until next time.