As my time as a Field Ranger comes to a close, I have reflected on my time working with the US Forest Service, National Forest Foundation, and Hispanic Access Foundation. A week from now, I will have completed the Field Ranger Program. This upcoming Friday, we will be having a graduation ceremony for the program. This ceremony is special to me because I have never had a celebration of any sort when leaving internships in the past. Our graduation highlights the unique nature of the Field Ranger program and the bond we have created with one another along the way.

A recent memorable experience was when my cohort and I went to The Huntington, a collections-based educational and research institution that is composed of botanical gardens, a library, and art museums. As I toured The Huntington, I got to take in the beauty of the gardens, each of which represent a country. I found the Chinese Garden to be especially eye-catching. The pastoral aesthetic of the garden brought me to a different place in time. The ornate and traditional style of the architecture contrasted what I see in my day-to-day life. When I toured the library, I was shocked to see an original document of the Declaration of Independence as well as how English and writing had changed over time. This experience made me realize how impactful informal education is in making people care about something they otherwise wouldn’t care for.

In this program, I have developed my skills in communication and public service. I also received in-depth education regarding the Angeles National Forest and the functions and operations of the US Forest Service as a whole. I had the privilege to speak to many USFS employees who shed light on their duties, the federal hiring process, and the pros and cons of what they do. As I figure out exactly what I want to do within the environmental science field, the advice and information given to me by US Forest Service workers, the National Forest Foundation, and other non-profits who I came in contact with, has been of great value.

My time as a Crew Member for the Angeles National Forest has so far been very pleasant and educational. At first, I was timid around my crew members. After getting to know each and every one of them, I became more open and comfortable with my crew. Our weekend field days have allowed me to get in touch with the public and become familiar with the land. We recently began our California Naturalist course with Maya Morales as our instructor. I am excited to read the handbook and hopefully learn things about California that I did not before. I also hope to find parallels between what I already know about California. My favorite part of the program so far is our weekend orientations. During this orientation, we visited Sturtevant Falls, Millard Falls, Crystal Lake, and the San Gabriel River's east fork. This orientation helped me bond with my cohort and get to know the Angeles Forest. 

Since starting the Field Ranger Program, I have thought more about my future and what direction I want to take my career. I have become interested in working in fire or law enforcement for a land management agency. I think this position aligns with my personality and personal goals. While I was at Crystal Lake, our crew briefly spoke with an LEO at the Angeles Forest. He spoke well of his position and he further interested me in that career path. I am broadly interested in regulation and compliance and would like to work in that field. 

Challenges so far in this program would mainly have to do with time and distance. In total, I drive 2.5 hours for work, which is more than I am used to. I have also been adjusting to the 40-hour work schedule, as this is my first time working in a full-time position. I think this program is great for students to get acclimated to a 40-hour work schedule. On the other hand, I like that this program is experiential and educational, giving us time to both learn and apply what we’ve learned. I feel that the Field Ranger program is balanced in that way. For example, we are given time to stretch in the morning, which is in my opinion, a necessary part of the day.

My name is Adrian Arias and I am a recent graduate from Cal State University, Long Beach. I obtained a degree in Environmental Science and Policy, B.A.. In my time at CSULB, I was a Secretary at ReWild CSULB, a student-led organization striving towards making campuses healthier and more sustainable by limiting uses of fertilizers and pesticides while putting in more native plants which emphasize soil health. I also worked on a state transition model for my capstone, which encompassed ecological interactions and historical significance of a working landscape called River Ridge Ranch. I have experience in customer service, community outreach, and environmental advocacy. In my free time, I like to go to the theater and hike.