The Field Season is in full swing, and it’s not showing signs of slowing down. I am beginning to work independently several times a week, as well as interacting with other specialists and contractors. Shifting demands have created a workload that is different that earlier in the season, yet still provides countless opportunities for growth and learning, as well as benefiting the Bureau of Land Management and our public lands.
After the legwork early in the season to set up various forest product sales, now the task turns to ensuring contractors and public cutters are following the prescribed statements of work. I regularly visit with contractors on site to check any number of things such as stump height, burn pile placement, safety, and wellbeing as well as general progress. When dealing with public cutters, it often turns into a guessing game of whether or not they cut what they were supposed to. It is infrequent I have the chance to interact directly with public cutters, I merely can see what they have done and use that information to make clarifying changes in the future.
As the sales have now been set up and monitoring continues, my attention is beginning to shift towards forest management and the longevity of a healthy forest. Much of my time and attention has shifted to a track of land we call Pitch Pine, on Muddy Mountain. A meadow restoration project is underway, to facility a balanced ecosystem and create meadow habitat for various species. A species of great importance is the Sage Grouse, given special management concerns in the state of Wyoming. By designating tree islands for forest dwelling species, and opening the meadows by removing trees, a mosaic ecosystem will be created and give benefit to an even wider variety of species.
Today marks the halfway point in my internship, exactly. I’m sure it’s no coincidence I’ve found time to write a blogpost. While I can tell my learning curve is becoming less steep, it is none-the-less still gradually increasing. The main difference is that I have the time to begin perfecting and refining the skills I have learned.
Cascade in the Bighorn Mountains
Bighorn Mountain Skyline
Atop Gardener Mountain