May 22 - May 26.
We traveled to Rifle, CO to conduct internship training on a ranch where we camped out for four nights and five days. On our first day, we set up our tents at Rifle Ranch and got to hike to Rifle Falls. Here, we identified native plants in order to compare the ecosystem to that of the restoration project on Rifle Ranch.
Picture of Rifle Falls in Rifle, CO taken by Jennifer Singer.
On Tuesday, we reviewed using dichotomous keys and worked on plant identification. After practicing, we used our knowledge to conduct transect lines with a Line Point Intercept (LPI) process in order to monitor the vegetation.
Photo of interns conducting field work using transect lines taken by CNHP Technician T. Fumagashi.
On Wednesday, we were joined by members of the Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT) to learn about conservation easements. We discussed an arbitrary conservation easement for Rifle Ranch and how we could keep the restoration projects there intact for generations to come.
On Thursday morning, we went birding to identify a variety of birds on the property. We used the app Merlin to identify bird calls and viewed a plethora of birds through binoculars. In the afternoon that same day, we worked with Trout Unlimited and other watershed organizations in order to discuss the importance of water rights in Western Colorado.
Photo of a Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) on Rifle Ranch taken by CNHP Technician T. Fumagashi.
On Friday, our last day, we visited the Silt Preserve, which is under a conservation easement. There, we toured a sustainable produce farm and learned about their practices. After that, we walked around the Silt Preserve to look at the restoration that has been done there. Once we finished up, it was time to head back to Fort Collins.
Thank you again, to John Powers and Jana Six for having us at their beautiful space!
Photo of the 2023 Siegele Interns at the Silt Preserve in Silt, CO taken by CNHP Technician T. Fumagashi.
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