Project Abstract:
For this summer 2017 I will be using my IIC internship through SUU working for the BLM office based out of Kanab, Utah as my EDGE project required by Southern Utah University. The Kanab BLM office works mainly on the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and the basis of my workload will be monitoring, studying, collecting data, and learning about the Southern Utah region. This internship is unique because it is an experience not many choose to take advantage of. The working conditions are not ideal as we are out in desert flats working under the hot summer sun, utilizing the same types of range monitoring techniques on an extremely repetitive basis for many of the same types of topography. I get a first-person experience being out in the field identifying different aspects of our landscape. The focus of this internship is mainly botany and vegetation, with a secondary emphasis on soil and crust conditions. For these reasons I believe this internship will build my work ethic, character, and appreciation for the area that I live in during my time at SUU.
Project Learning Goals & Outcomes:
My goals for the summer are to become more familiar with native plant species, landscape, and soil profiles. I will learn to better work as a member of a team and work together in the field so we can complete our assignments more efficiently and with higher quality data. By achieves these goals we will experience a successful season, complete an impressive amount of the plots that we have to work in our area. This data is important because it is made available to the public online and is used widespread in the agricultural world by government agencies, schools and universities, and individuals.
Outdoor Significance:
Aside from a few hours of office work per week, this internship is strictly outdoors and allows me to see our landscape in a hands-on way that I wouldn’t be able to otherwise. We use GPS systems and maps, we have to calibrate our instruments, we have to be prepared to handle any emergency situations that arise in the field, and be on the lookout for others who may be in trouble. The Grand Staircase is an incredible area and I feel as though it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be working there every single day.
Personal or Professional Development:
This internship will help me in personal development by building patience, work ethic, and integrity. I am learning to become patient because the work can be extremely tedious, like roping off a plot of soil based on precise measurements and 6 different variables relating to the plants in that plot. It is hard work that nobody else at the BLM wants to do, and one needs to take an initiative to be an asset to the organization. I will build integrity because I have basically no supervision, and the data that I will provide must be accurate or if it were audited and found to be incorrect this could lead to a lawsuit or other sanctions.
Furthermore I will develop professionally because of the high standard set for me as a government employee. It is important to show up to work on time and mark our own time sheet, we must be dressed in uniform at all times, and complete all necessary forms before deadline such as vehicle inspections, first aid kit checks, and making sure all my trainings are up to date.
Safety Briefing:
There are many potential risk factors when working in a hot summer Southern Utah climate and landscape. In order to mitigate these risks, as part of my orientation with the IIC I had the opportunity to complete several in-depth safety trainings including the following:
Project Analysis:
I was immediately excited about using this internship for my EDGE project because it is my second season with the BLM in Kanab and I know the program really well and how much success I can have. Upon my returning season I was offered a raise and increased responsibility from BLM management which I have been told may result in an offer for full-time employment. I know the work is hard and strenuous and extremely strenuous at times but I know that through these trials of endurance I will build true character and grit. I am extremely excited for another opportunity to work for the IIC while continuing my education and finishing my EDGE project to get one step closer to graduation.
For this summer 2017 I will be using my IIC internship through SUU working for the BLM office based out of Kanab, Utah as my EDGE project required by Southern Utah University. The Kanab BLM office works mainly on the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and the basis of my workload will be monitoring, studying, collecting data, and learning about the Southern Utah region. This internship is unique because it is an experience not many choose to take advantage of. The working conditions are not ideal as we are out in desert flats working under the hot summer sun, utilizing the same types of range monitoring techniques on an extremely repetitive basis for many of the same types of topography. I get a first-person experience being out in the field identifying different aspects of our landscape. The focus of this internship is mainly botany and vegetation, with a secondary emphasis on soil and crust conditions. For these reasons I believe this internship will build my work ethic, character, and appreciation for the area that I live in during my time at SUU.
Project Learning Goals & Outcomes:
My goals for the summer are to become more familiar with native plant species, landscape, and soil profiles. I will learn to better work as a member of a team and work together in the field so we can complete our assignments more efficiently and with higher quality data. By achieves these goals we will experience a successful season, complete an impressive amount of the plots that we have to work in our area. This data is important because it is made available to the public online and is used widespread in the agricultural world by government agencies, schools and universities, and individuals.
Outdoor Significance:
Aside from a few hours of office work per week, this internship is strictly outdoors and allows me to see our landscape in a hands-on way that I wouldn’t be able to otherwise. We use GPS systems and maps, we have to calibrate our instruments, we have to be prepared to handle any emergency situations that arise in the field, and be on the lookout for others who may be in trouble. The Grand Staircase is an incredible area and I feel as though it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be working there every single day.
Personal or Professional Development:
This internship will help me in personal development by building patience, work ethic, and integrity. I am learning to become patient because the work can be extremely tedious, like roping off a plot of soil based on precise measurements and 6 different variables relating to the plants in that plot. It is hard work that nobody else at the BLM wants to do, and one needs to take an initiative to be an asset to the organization. I will build integrity because I have basically no supervision, and the data that I will provide must be accurate or if it were audited and found to be incorrect this could lead to a lawsuit or other sanctions.
Furthermore I will develop professionally because of the high standard set for me as a government employee. It is important to show up to work on time and mark our own time sheet, we must be dressed in uniform at all times, and complete all necessary forms before deadline such as vehicle inspections, first aid kit checks, and making sure all my trainings are up to date.
Safety Briefing:
There are many potential risk factors when working in a hot summer Southern Utah climate and landscape. In order to mitigate these risks, as part of my orientation with the IIC I had the opportunity to complete several in-depth safety trainings including the following:
- First Aid/CPR
- Defensive Driving
- FISSA (Cyber Awareness)
- Safety Briefings
Project Analysis:
I was immediately excited about using this internship for my EDGE project because it is my second season with the BLM in Kanab and I know the program really well and how much success I can have. Upon my returning season I was offered a raise and increased responsibility from BLM management which I have been told may result in an offer for full-time employment. I know the work is hard and strenuous and extremely strenuous at times but I know that through these trials of endurance I will build true character and grit. I am extremely excited for another opportunity to work for the IIC while continuing my education and finishing my EDGE project to get one step closer to graduation.