Hello fellow CLM-ers!

I know many of you live in remote areas of the country.  I live in a town of 4500, which is small, but it’s still suburbia nonetheless.  I have the library, gym, grocery stores, and restaurants to keep me busy if need-be.  Also, the Big Horn Mountains are right here for adventures.  But with all the other interns gone it’s kind of lonely.

Let me elaborate, this summer I had 2 room mates and 4 friends outside the homestead. We hung out all the time! Exploring the area, traveling around the state or to Colorado and South Dakota, we exercised together (Ms. J. Pastick), went to conferences together and then worked together! A lot of ‘we’ time. Well…that is no longer.

My time in Buffalo became quiet very quickly. Initially, I didn’t want to just enjoy it, so I turned to the office to get that socializing ‘fix’ I need, as if it’s a drug. I worked with range-land conservationists, wildlife biologists, environmental policy specialists, natural resource specialists, and the recreation planner (she’s fantastic, a lot of personality, and very admirable). As you can see, there is a lot of networking to be had in this office. Then, after work I went to a co-workers house for dinner and look at these great leftovers!

Then, the moment of truth-a field day to myself!!! (queue the music-dun dun dun).

I started to worry for me, thinking I would lose some sort of character I’ve obtained through socializing all these years and all this time in Buffalo.  I know this seems irrational, mainly because it’s only 1 day, and that our line of work (botany, wildlife, and forestry) requires independent field work. In my defense, here at the BFO we haven’t had any solo field days! We’ve always gone out in groups-always.

So, I went out there…gulp….by myself….and….IT WAS AWESOME!  I hadn’t realized how independent I can be.  I drove an hour out, then onto snow covered secondary roads, made a radio call into the office every now and then, went up hills and through valleys.  Then I came to a funky gate that looked difficult.  I decided I shouldn’t open it for fear I couldn’t close it on my own.  So, I parked the truck and walked in a mile.  On my hike, I saw wildlife tracks in the snow, heard bird calls, appreciated the view (see below), and sang to myself.  It was nice.  Not terribly different from being with my co-workers, yet in the same respect, I was alone!

To all of you interns out there dreading this day-fear not! It’s worth it.  It might even be something to push for if you haven’t already had the experience. On another note, I realized the truck I was using didn’t have chains for the tires or kitty litter. Then, I realized I don’t know what sort of snow conditions would make me want to use the chains.  I don’t know how to put them on either.  I watched a video once, but it’s more memorable to do it yourself. So, that’ll be another project this week.  Yay, more work!

I haven’t talked about science at all in this blog. So…let me talk about my project with the Powder River Basin Restoration Initiative (PRBRI).  Utilizing GIS, I use the buffalo field office layer, than add Greater sage-grouse core and connectivity layer, within those parameters I add the fire perimeter layer and pick a historic fire.  Call the lessee or land owner by looking up their information in the physical range files (billing history).  I double check this information online because sometimes a person has changed ranch hands. Possibly a death in the family or old age. I don’t want to call a landowner and them tell me, “oh, that was my mother-she died.” After I receive permission, I ask for best road access and conditions, inquire about locked gates and the fire. Also, I give a time frame of when to expect me on the property.

I print out maps that include the following details; coordinates, township, range, section, ownership, basement and topography (separate maps), prairie dog towns, fire perimeter, roads w/ names (if available), well #’s (for locating purposes), and fence line (if available). I print out my comprehensive field form. This may take 1-2 hours to assemble, print, and organize.

For mobilizing, I grab 2 GPS units with backup batteries, uploaded maps, and Terrasync technology.  Also, make sure the updated data dictionary has been installed.  Grab UTM’s for road access. Don reflective vest, warm clothing, bring back-up warm clothing, gators, and hand/foot warmers. Check out on white-board, grab a field buddy, and field vehicle.

Now, ready for the field-whoopeee!!  In the field, ALOT of time is spent going to and fro, then traveling down secondary or two-track roads-safely, to get to your destination.  Once I find my historic fire, I hike up to the top of the tallest mound.  This is to get a good vantage point.  In the fall, I can easily use ocular estimation to determine cheatgrass infestation-it is whitish compared to say crested wheatgrass. Then I’ll walk a transect of the fire, taking a vegetation inventory as I go, and mapping distinct areas of cheatgrass infestation, juniper, and sage brush revival.

That’s all for now folks!