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NWP Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists - Helena National Forest, Helena, Montana, USA

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Helena National Forest, Helena, Montana, USA
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katbrim1028



Registered: October 2013
City/Town/Province: Helena
Posts: 1
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Growing up in Montana, I have learned to love and appreciate nature on many levels through exploring it first-hand and by reading the works of Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Rachel Carson. From these experiences, I have set my mind on pursuing a degree in conservation. To further my understanding of what I wish to do in my career, I took part in the U.S. Forest Service's Youth Forest Monitoring Program for the summers of 2011, 2012, and 2013. The Youth Forest Monitoring Program, or YFMP, is an opportunity that the Helena National Forest Service provides for high achieving and committed students entering grades nine through twelve to intern with their agency. Over the course of seven weeks each summer, myself and three other crew members (including a crew leader) performed vegetation, stream, soil, amphibian, and wildlife monitoring, learned forest ecology, explored local forest lands, and networked with forest professionals to enhance the health of the Helena National Forest. Each year I went through a week of training in order to learn the principles of ecology, the precise steps of monitoring, and safety in bear and beetle kill areas. Through YFMP, I have had to opportunity to go on backpacking trips in the remote wilderness of Montana, gain basic knowledge in outdoor safety and survival, and gain unique hands-on experience that will aid me in my future studies of the environment. Also, since I had the honor to return to the program twice, I gained a leadership role in helping new students understand the principles of conservation and monitoring. Overall, we looked at the effects fire, tree disease, grazing, recreation, mine reclamation, and watershed disturbance have on the land. At the end of the program, my crew and I presented our findings to the public and Forest Service personnel in a formal presentation. The Forest Service uses the data that we collect and our recommendations for each area to shape their final Forest Plan for that following year. Therefore, benefiting the public and all who use the beautiful forest land in the Helena area.
· Date: October 24, 2013 · Views: 4758 · File size: 26.5kb, 1077.3kb · : 1600 x 1200 ·
Hours Volunteered: 3000
Volunteers: 15
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 17 & 14 to 18
Area Restored for Native Wildlife (hectares): 1000
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