I had the opportunity to attend the 2023 US Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region Public Services employee meeting in the picturesque setting of South Lake Tahoe, California. The meeting was a profound experience for me as a resource assistant and a member of this vibrant community. The primary goal of this gathering was to reconnect and reengage our group, a community that has navigated the challenges of the past three years with resilience and dedication. It was an occasion to recommit to our collective work and mission, reminding us of the significance of our roles and the impact of our collaborative efforts. The meeting comprised various sessions, each uniquely designed to foster team building, knowledge sharing, and collaborative thinking. One such session, titled "Reconnecting in Public Services," focused on team building and celebrating our achievements through awards and recognitions. It was an uplifting experience that reinforced the spirit of unity and camaraderie within our group.

Another notable session was "Access Needs," which was a joint session with the engineering team. The focus was on cross-boundary programs and shared monitoring, aiming to enhance collaboration and streamline our efforts. This session was particularly insightful, providing new perspectives on access needs for timber and fuels work and the critical roles lands and engineering play in this context. A standout learning experience for me was discovering the work of the heritage group, which manages historical locations. The insights into clearances and documentation processes were invaluable, adding a new dimension to my understanding of our collective responsibilities. Other notable sessions were about the climate change adaptation plan and mapping connections across program areas.

For me, a significant highlight was meeting colleagues in person, most of whom I usually interact with remotely. Building these personal connections was enriching and added a human element to our virtual interactions. Additionally, the opportunity to travel beyond my computer screen to physical locations was an exciting experience.

On the final day, field trips to various significant sites like Taggart/Fallen Leaf Lake, Taylor Creek/Tallac Historic Site, and the Camp Richardson Resort, provided a tangible connection to the landscapes we work to protect and manage.

This meeting was not just a professional gathering; it was a celebration of our shared goals, diverse expertise, and the unyielding spirit of collaboration that drives us forward. As I reflect on these enriching experiences, I am filled with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm for the future endeavors that lie ahead in our collective journey.

The picture from the meeting captures a memorable moment. The photo features key members of the Public Services Region 5 team. From left to right, we have Susan White, the Regional Heritage Program Manager; me, a proud resource assistant; Nancy Parachini, Deputy Director; Christina Henderson, Acting Director; Dawn Alvarez, Program Manager of the Regional Hydropower Assistance Team; and Monique Sanchez, Hydropower Coordinator. This image symbolizes the diverse and dynamic team that I am honored to be a part of.