My internship is coming to a close, not because my hours have run out, but because I am getting on a plane to Scotland tomorrow to start my Master’s degree. Unfortunately I am departing when the weather is finally starting to cool down, but I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything.
The month of August I joined forces with Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden and was their eyes on the ground in the Palm Springs field office to scout populations for fall seed collections. Based on herbarium vouchers and word of mouth I developed routes for the desired species, which were documented with GPS locations, pictures and a record of associated species. All this information was complied into a summary packet of pictures, maps generated from GIS and community descriptions.
Alligator Rock looking to eat my Jeep during a survey in Desert Center
Bullet holes and giant cholla (Cylindropuntia munzii), perks of the Bradshaw Trail
Final Product!
I also got to participate in a rare plant survey of Monardella stoneana on Otay Mountain in San Diego County. Volunteers from California Native Plant Society and BLM employees used previously recorded locations of this species as a starting point and then we expanded our search from there. Afterwards I took the GPS coordinates recorded and plotted them on a map to see the land ownership where this population lives.
Monardella stoneana in the foreground and the wash I walked down looking for it.
This internship has been an great opportunity to work with a variety of scientists and understand the possibilities of my future career. I have learned a lot of applied skills, from recognizing desert species to making maps in sophisticated software. After being a lab rat (no pun intended) for so many years, it was a nice change to be out in the field even when it was 110 degrees. My mentor gave me substantial freedom to complete tasks I felt were necessary for future success of the field office, and this encouragement has allowed me to develop personal habits that will be essential in my future endeavors. I am known to be shy and follow whatever I am told, but during this internship I was encouraged to network with a wide group of people and take the initiative to accomplish important goals. I got to see a great deal of our massive field office and experience different ecosystems: the high, cool Mojave Desert, the valley inferno of the Sonoran Desert and the variety of coastal plant communities in San Diego County. I have learned tons and will take all of this new knowledge on my next adventure!
Tioraidh! (Bye in Scottish Gaelic)
Kelsey
BLM Palm Springs – South Coast Field Office