Hello everyone,
As I sit here on my last day of work reflecting on this internship that has now flown by, I’m realizing a lot. To the top of that list is, well the fact that I don’t have a job lined up for after this. I am very much hoping my family and friends back home will graciously accept my cheap holiday presents in the form of rocks I’ve collected along the way out here. If not, I suppose my large collection will continue to grow…fine with me
glistening gypsum!
I’m also here thinking about the very first day I strolled into the BLM office. It was the Friday before I started work and my mom was still in town helping me find a place to live. I came into the office to sign some forms and meet the team. Nervously, I approached the front door beneath the daunting Bureau of Land Management sign, thinking, “OK, I guess this is it. For the next few months I’ll be working for ‘the man.'” I quietly walked in and my mentor came to the front to meet me. He took me on a tour of the building, one that made me feel like I was finding my way through a maze. Finally we stopped at the cubicles with the other interns, soon to be my work space too. We briefly introduced ourselves, smiled and I was pretty much on my way. Now looking back 9 or so months later, I am so happy I took that chance, packed all my things up and moved 2,800 miles away from home.
In my time out here, I have had some great adventures. Did I save any money while I was out here? Not much, but I have felt like I’ve really taken in the west as much as possible and been paid in more ways than simple monetary checks. Nevada for me has been a place of endless blue skies, more mountain ranges than I can begin to name, and surprising oases popping up in the forms of ephemeral streams, emerging springs, and playa lakes.
Sand Mountain at sunset
In addition to the numerous natural wonders of this area, my time here has been spent with unforgettable field work and tons of learning experiences. I’m leaving Carson City certainly a better botanist than when I arrived, a more in tuned reader of the landscape, and with a head full of latin botanical names that could bore anyone for days. Luckily though, most of my time here was spent with others that appreciate such disciplines. I want to dedicate this post to the 7 other interns from the Carson City office. Together we made over 100 seed collections, monitored our fair share of fires, and put on a large handful of educational outreach events. Above that, I will more remember the late night talks around a campfire, family dinners, farmers markets, festivals, and of course the lamest yet creative botany jokes ever to be made. Together we walked dozens of miles through the back country of Nevada, crawled mountain passes by truck that most wouldn’t even consider walking, and watched hundreds of shooting stars jet across the night sky. In short, it’s been great, and truly an exceptional experience!
Last seed collecting trip: Artemisia cana
Lastly, for any of those reading this and are considering applying for a CLM internship, I say DO IT! Don’t be afraid, take a chance and embrace every second along the way. For those current and recently finished interns of this year, best of luck in all your next steps.
Sunny wishes and Shine On!
Andrew Lyons
Carson City NV, BLM Office
Only in Nevada