![\"bluff\"](\"https:\/\/dev-clm-blog.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/bluff.jpg\")
<\/a>Cerastium arvense<\/em> at Kellet Bluff, San Juan Islands National Monument<\/p><\/div>\n Seeds of Success is almost completely new to the San Juan Islands. \u00a0Before last summer neither I nor the full time employees of our office had a clear understanding of the program. \u00a0That changed when I attended the Chicago Botanic Garden’s CLM intern workshop. \u00a0Hearing from Peggy Olwell and Meagan Haidet, I was inspired by what I learned about SOS and was more than keen to get a collection team started for our islands. \u00a0Luckily, my mentor shared my interest once I told her more about the program and she was able to get funding to start collecting. \u00a0(this was supposed to be a heartwarming ‘we interns can make a difference’ story but apparently I am not pulling it off).<\/p>\n Anyway, I started working for San Juan SOS two weeks ago and have been intensely busy since. \u00a0Week one was spent at the National Native Seed Conference in Santa Fe, where I met a number of incredible people, learned a hundred things about seed, and spent days generally not knowing what I was talking about. \u00a0Week two I have been meeting with partners, making lists, visiting sites, and teaching school children about monitoring. \u00a0All while still knowing minimally what I’m talking about.<\/p>\n The most rewarding part of the past week was talking to a group of 5th graders from our local school. \u00a0I am by no means a \u00a0skilled educator or kid wrangler, but it is amazing to see and help children think critically about the natural world around them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hello. \u00a0I am back working at the San Juan Islands National Monument for my second year. \u00a0Last year I spent most of my time doing botanical surveys following the AIM strategy (Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring). \u00a0This year I am very … Continue reading <\/p>\n<\/p>\n