One thing I have loved about this internship and field office, is that we are always getting opportunities to learn new things. In the beginning it was all about learning an entire new set of plants for our range monitoring. Since then, I\u2019ve also attended rangeland trainings, speakers, read multiple papers, and enrolled in the GIS courses online.
\nThe first range training focused a lot on the basics of grazing management, such as what portions of the plant can be grazed without overly affecting plant growth. We did some grass clipping activities to estimate production and the effects on the rangeland. This last rangeland training was focused on a Utah ranch\u2019s success using very frequent pasture rotations to improve grazing and wildlife habitat. They specifically kept cows that could calve on very low quality forage, thus also reducing the ranch\u2019s cost in hay. Meanwhile, in the office during my \u201cspare\u201d time I\u2019ve been able to keep up with my reading. I\u2019ve had some time to read articles on sage grouse, lichens, big game fence interactions, climate change in the rangelands, as well as the NEPA and ESA. Having the time to read this information has helped me so much in understanding a lot of what we do out in the field.
\nI really do love the Buffalo Field Office. Today is the judging of the Christmas door decorating contest, and the range staff\u2019s door is looking pretty promising. We\u2019ve taken some liberties with the original Twelve Days of Christmas and made it into the Twelve Field Days of Christmas, featuring a few adaptations of the original lyrics, such as \u201can eagle in a pine tree\u201d. And while I\u2019m excited to go home for Christmas, I know I will definitely be missing the white Christmas likely to be here in Buffalo.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>The Twelve Field Days of Christmas Buffalo Field Office Map<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One thing I have loved about this internship and field office, is that we are always getting opportunities to learn new things. In the beginning it was all about learning an entire new set of plants for our range monitoring. … Continue reading