Two additional populations of blowout penstemon were found in central Wyoming, by a few hardworking and dedicated CBG interns. Yep, I happen to be one of those interns.
For me, it all started on a cold, wet July morning in Rawlins, WY. I was to meet two other people at the old “town” of Ferris. Down a winding two-track road I drove, with some bluegrass on the radio and the Ferris Mountains guiding my way. I finally met up with my group after a few miles and got out of the government rig to talk about our strategy for surveying the surrounding sand dunes for occupied blowout penstemon habitat. After some discussion it was decided that I would trek around with Emma, a CBG intern based out of Laramie, WY. Emma has spent much time looking at aerial photos of Aeolian (wind-derived) sand deposits in the state, with the goal of mapping all potential habitat for blowout penstemon in the state.
After stuffing some rain gear, food and water into our packs, Emma and I headed towards the sand dunes that are scattered across the valley south of the Ferris Mountains. With the storm clouds building above us we made a pact to head back to the trucks if the rain became a nuisance. I had been out with Emma before scouting for blowout penstemon and had no luck, so I was unprepared to almost step directly on a plant less than 1 mile from where I left my truck. It was at this time that rain drops began to fall. After a high-five, we got out our pencils and paper, threw on our rain gear, and started to systematically survey the sand dune. Within 10 minutes we were soaked, and had only found a few additional plants. We discussed our pact about quitting once the rain became a nuisance, which it had become, but decided to keep on scouting for additional plants. After a few hours, we were smeared with sand, our fingers were turning blue, BUT we had found over 80 blowout penstemon plants that have never been documented before in the area. As we made our way back, the clouds began to break and by the time we arrived back to our trucks the sun was fully out. We ate a late lunch, with our bare feet basking in the sun and our boots and socks strewn across the hood of the trucks to dry out. It was a good day.
Beyond surveying, still working on updating the statewide programmatic biological assessment for blowout penstemon in WY and preparing for a meeting with the USFWS next week….
Surveying for blowout penstemon in the sand dunes of central Wyoming.
"Town" of Ferris, WY.