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So I just started working at Fort Ord National Monument in Marina, California a couple of weeks ago and it has been a blast so far. Bruce Delgado (my mentor) has taught me so much about California flora and has let me get right into the mix from day one. He allowed me to drive the F-450 flatbed truck loaded down with 4500lbs of water, translate for a radio show interview with Philipe the sheep herder, and get smelly re-baiting the pig traps.

I drove the flatbed truck loaded down with water on gravel roads up steep terrain to Oil Well restoration site, planted in 2013. The view alone was totally worth it and it was  relaxing to look out over the rolling hills. You can almost forget you are working when watering the plants surrounded by the scenery. I also found this mantis camouflaged amongst the dying Avena barbata at Oil Well which was awesome.

Philipe uses border collies to herd the sheep into locations for grazing, and while I was watering the Oil Well restoration site he let me hold one of the puppies!

All in all, it’s been a really fun and awesome experience. I’m excited to continue learning about California’s rich natural history and natural resource management at Fort Ord National Monument.

Cheers,

Manuel Casanova