The beginning of my internship included a few weeks of introductory Realty Training. During this training, I learned foundational knowledge for key vocabulary and land acquisition processes, which has been so helpful as my mentor includes me in several meetings regarding current land acquisition cases. These meetings include colleagues from RLAT, partners from land trusts, and supervisors who also join to stay updated on the team's progress. Being a part of these meetings truly helps me understand each and every requirement it takes in order to gain forestland in Region 5.
In addition, I had the opportunity to travel to the Regional Office (for R5’s Central Zone) in Vallejo for a day. The objective was to ship multiple pallets of stored files to a facility where they will be digitized. Eventually, these files will be accessible online rather than being stored in filing cabinets at the Regional Offices. This was interesting in so many ways! Even the drive into the office was interesting as my mentor explained the history of the R.O.’s location.
Currently, I am responsible for researching Region 5's recent contributions to the America the Beautiful Initiative while my mentors wrap up some loose ends as we move into the new fiscal year. The ATB initiative, which has been in existence since 2021, focuses on resource conservation, Tribal inclusion, and improvements toward accessibility for outdoor recreation across the USA. My work will be compiled into a briefing paper and presented at our next Environmental Quarterly in November.
Looking ahead to September, I have several exciting events planned. I will be flying to Loveland, Colorado, to attend the 2024 Society of American Foresters Convention (SAF2024) with support from my professional funds. I am eager to visit Colorado for the first time, gain extensive forestry knowledge, and tour nurseries. When I return to Sacramento, I will begin a new Land & Water Conservation Fund case with my mentors in Region 5, focusing on the Martis Valley Headwaters land acquisition project in the Tahoe National Forest.
My work is all office based, but we have several cases opening and closing, where this presents the opportunity to attend initial property inspections, or ribbon cutting ceremonies for finalized projects. I can’t wait to see the forests in person when these site visits do come around and continue to advocate for forestland conservation through new land acquisitions for the USFS!