The workshop in Chicago was a great experience, and I highly recommend going (if feasible) to all future CLM interns that are thinking about it. The first day we attended a symposium at the Chicago Botanic Garden called “Seed Sourcing for Restoration in a Changing Climate.” We were fortunate to be able to hear from recent academic researchers as well as professionals that work for various government agencies, including: Dr. Julie Etterson, University of Minnesota Duluth; Dr. Matt Horning, USDA Forest Service; Jack Pizzo, M.S., The Pizzo Group; Greg Houseal, program manager, Tallgrass Prairie Center; Peggy Olwell, plant conservation lead in the BLM.
Q & A session
At the end of the day, we had plenty of daylight left to explore the garden.
I also recommend eating at the garden’s cafe at least once during your stay. Their veggie burgers and grilled portabella mushroom salad are amazing options for the vegetarians out there. The brat and cheddar beef burger were also a favorite for the omnivores.
CLM interns hard at work in the classroom
We reviewed the protocol and methods for the SOS program, and even for an intern that does not work specifically with SOS, I enjoyed the training and hope to be able to be a part of the program in the future — perhaps a second internship! There was also a “crash course” in the botany of the West, which was extremely helpful. I look forward to going out into the field in my free time to practice plant identification.
practice with plant identification and seed collection
plant press demonstration
I would also like to point out that the amount of resources they provided all interns with was nothing short of impressive. We received two binders and also a flash drive, full of information that was organized to perfection. So many kudos go out to both Krissa and Rebecca for everything they do for us.
I am most grateful for all of the amazing people I had the chance to meet and get to know. The Wyoming interns and those close by are planning a camping trip / 4th of July get-together in Lander, and I cannot wait to see them again. From the West to the East coast, and even all the way from Alaska, we are as diverse as the plants and wildlife we observe, while our passions for conservation and field work bring us all together.
a beautiful welcome back home to Wyoming
Cheers,
Valerie
Pinedale, Wyoming