![\"image](\"https:\/\/dev-clm-blog.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/image-2.jpeg\")
<\/a>The Deep Springs Resource Management Team meeting on site, where the cowboys tend the herd of cattle.<\/p><\/div>\n
Aside from office work, I still manage to get a few field days in. The Ridgecrest Field Office is part of an interesting arrangement with a local farm\/college, Deep Springs. Deep Springs\u2019 ranching operations are supported by the Deep Springs Resource Management Team (DSRMT), which consists of representatives from the College and Trustees, BLM, Inyo National Forest, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The DSRMT meets bi-annually, collects and analyzes monitoring data on Deep Springs\u2019 BLM and Forest Service grazing allotments, and participates in inter-agency coordination and planning to develop best management practices and to inform agency decision making processes. During the summer meeting in the beautiful White Mountains, Deep Springs was gracious enough to feed everyone great farm raised fresh food, we experienced a flash flood and also had amazing cooperation among the agencies. By hearing the concerns about an allotment from all agencies, I was able to experience the development of a very thorough land management plan. It almost made my head spin with how organized it was. \u00a0I really hope this inter-agency hands-on model spreads to more offices.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Some arrowheads found onsite while performing surveys of the pastures.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The farm fresh steaks, potatoes and corn provided by Deep Springs.<\/p><\/div>\n
The horses the cowboys use to manage the cattle. They forage in the same campsite with the cowboys after work is done. Cowboy life is a rare sight to see, and we were very lucky to be invited to be a part of it.<\/p><\/div>\n
Cheers and happy botanizing.<\/p>\n
Leah Madison<\/p>\n
BLM, Ridgecrest CA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Many things have happened since my last post in May, the highlight being that I have been extended for another two months! I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity. My supervisor has really gone out of his way to … Continue reading