1-19-11

Today began from where I left off earlier. I had one more application to create a soil map for, but had been unable to find an address in the application. Thankfully, google was able to find me a location so I wasn't scanning a map over and over again. After that was completed, I helped go through receipts for a project that was currently happening. The client was getting funding to do brush control (remove vegetation) to maintain his pastures as well as range planting (planting pasture seeds). My job was to go through the receipts and add up the cost to see if he would exceed his funding and where the money was going to. Not exactly the most exciting day, but it was just another aspect of the job. I felt like an accountant and was very greatful that I don't have to do that everyday.

We then had some time to discuss what exactly do these projects look like. With the guy clearing brush and planting pasture grasses, he was mostly removing the understory of the forest that was incroaching on the pasture area. This helped with the fire control of that area. Its extremely important to manage your pasture well or it no longer is useful as rangeland and grazing. Many ranchers allow their livestock to have a large rangeland and during the winter this results in compaction, erosion, runoff, all of which don't allow for the grass to grow back for them to graze. I also asked about what do ranchers do with the brush they cleared. Rich said that they could either spread it to create habitat or chip it, or possibly send it to greenwaste. We also discussed the lengths of grass each livestock prefer and the benefit of fencing to help allow for pasture migration.

This all led to a possible senior project (a requirement for my internship) in which I could make a diagram to use at workshops to teach better land practices. There is one upcoming in February that is for horse owners and how they can keep their pasture in better shape by using better land management. My possible senior project could be to create a diagram showing how water reacts with different soils. Whether it runs off due to compaction from horses or if it goes into the soil due to vegetation growing. I'm not exactly the most handy person around, but I think I can definitely come up with something. Then I can go to the workshop and see something I made being used to teach others. It would also be nice to have my senior project done so early in my internship.

I feel like today, while not the most productive day, was really good because I learned a lot about what the NRCS does. I think its really important to inform people and give them an incentive to do things more environmentally friendly. I also might get to go into the field on Monday and help survey a clients land. I better remember to wear comfy shoes!