In light of the approaching holiday season and the conclusion of my internship I have written a song, with the help of the other interns, to summarize my internship. I have tried to incorporate parts of all of the major aspects of my internship; my time was divided mostly into SOS collections and fire monitoring. Our field work contained many adventures with rugged mountain roads, wildlife, and inclement weather. I am thankful for the great opportunities this internship program has given me to gain professional work experience and skills. I will be leaving Carson City, NV at the end of the week with fond memories and ambition to further my career as a botanist!

12 Days of Seed Collecting (to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas)

On the first day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
A plant press in a juniper tree.

On the second day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree.

On the third day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
Three soil samples
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree.

On the fourth day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
Four pruning sheers
Three soil samples
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree.

On the fifth day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
Five ER-NA*
Four pruning sheers
Three soil samples
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree.

On the sixth day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
Six cows a grazin’
Five ER-NA
Four pruning sheers
Three soil samples
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree.

On the seventh day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
Seven sage a seedin’
Six cows a grazin’
Five ER-NA
Four pruning sheers
Three soil samples
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree.

On the eighth day of seed collecting
Eight interns camping
Seven sage a seedin’
Six cows a grazin’
Five ER-NA
Four pruning sheers
Three soil samples
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree.

On the ninth day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
Nine weeds a mappin’
Eight interns camping
Seven sage a seedin’
Six cows a grazin’
Five ER-NA
Four pruning sheers
Three soil samples
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree.

On the tenth day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
Ten fires finished
Nine weeds a mappin’
Eight interns camping
Seven sage a seedin’
Six cows a grazin’
Five ER-NA
Four pruning sheers
Three soil samples
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree.

On the eleventh day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
Eleven roads a washed out
Ten fires finished
Nine weeds a mappin’
Eight interns camping
Seven sage a seedin’
Six cows a grazin’
Five ER-NA
Four pruning sheers
Three soil samples
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree.

On the twelfth day of seed collecting
My mentor gave to me:
Twelve PVC pipes
Eleven roads a washed out
Ten fires finished
Nine weeds a mappin’
Eight interns camping
Seven sage a seedin’
Six cows a grazin’
Five ER-NA
Four pruning sheers
Three soil samples
Two GPSs
And a plant press in a juniper tree

*Ericameria nauseosa, a common shrub of the Great Basin.

Mary

CCDO