Natural Resources Specialist
CurrentAs part of the nationwide Seeds of Success (SOS) initiative, our mission is to collect wildland native seeds to safeguard biodiversity, support research, and restore ecosystems.This summer from April to October, I will work with the Grand Junction BLM office to collect seeds for restoring habitats across their vast Colorado and Utah land holdings. The BLM manages these lands for both conservation and various activities like recreation and economic development. My responsibilities evolve throughout the season, starting with early duties such as learning target species identification and mastering electronic data entry. As the season progresses, we transition to spending more time in the field. This involves navigating remote landscapes, mapping plant populations, and collecting voucher specimens for herbaria. Our team meticulously collects native seeds, each batch ranging from 30,000+ to 80,000+ depending on species and population size.In addition to seed collection responsibilities, my role encompasses a range of essential tasks to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of our operations. This includes coordinating logistical aspects such as packing trucks with necessary gear for expeditions and utilizing advanced navigation tools like road maps, GIS, and 4WD vehicles to reach remote collection sites. I conduct thorough scouting to identify optimal areas for seed collection and assist in seed cleaning, packing, and preparation of herbarium specimens. Furthermore, I play a key role in maintaining accurate documentation by uploading and manipulating GPS data and adhering meticulously to quality assurance standards during data entry into electronic apps. This comprehensive approach to our work ensures that each aspect of the seed collection process is executed with precision and effectiveness, contributing to the success of our conservation efforts.Stay tuned for updates about seed collection, research, conservation progress, and ecosystem restoration!
