Working 10 hour days doing repetitive tasks can seem boring and hard to some, and some days it is not the most fun, but what really makes it enjoyable is the people you work with. Crew culture can make or break your season. It is the people you smile with while it rains on you, the people you sing in the car with, and the people you rely on when the going gets tough.
I have been lucky to have a large crew on the Umpqua Nat’l Forest. I get to work with 3 USFS employees, 2 interns through the Scientists Conservation Association, 2 interns through the local community college, and of course my fellow CBG intern, Hannah. Having such a large team allows me to work with different people everyday, sharing stories, and making memories. Another plus is that everyone is from all over the United States. We cover the Southwest, Midwest, East Coast, and the Pacific Northwest. With that I have gotten to experience the cultural differences from across the U.S. It has been so interesting to hear about crab boils from Maryland or meeting people from Arizona who have never seen snow (that is crazy as a midwesterner).
In the field it is really great to have such a large group to pull from. We each bring a different set of skills and knowledge. I have been able to learn just as much from my crew lead as I have from my co-workers. The local interns have such an impressive knowledge of the native species. They have helped me learn how to identify our collection species more quickly than I would have by myself. One of my assistant crew leads, Bridget, comes from the Midwest with a background in invasive species management. She has really helped us be more efficient when dealing with weeds and even helps us estimate how long a treatment area may take.
At the end of the day this crew has become a second family. We regularly hangout outside of work, and are able to be true selves with each other. When you take a field position your crew can make or break your season. So show up with a smile, open heart, and be ready to make some of the closest friends you will ever have. It makes the beauty of your surroundings shine even brighter.
Umpqua National Forest
Emma Landenberger