Internship Project: Earth Team Volunteers

The NRCS Earth Team Volunteers program is a special way for those seeking to help the agency do so through their local field offices in the state. This program has many benefits such as saving tax payer money through a volunteer basis, work experience, personal connections, and giving much needed help to those making a difference.
As I started this project I had no idea what this volunteer program is about, so I spent some time looking through the volunteer information binder that has all details of the program. Like many say in the NRCS, "We are good at what we do, not at how be publicize." It was my goal to do just that and make it easier for the volunteers to obtain information and the local field offices gain the much needed help.
I thought about several things that I believed employees and volunteers would like out of the program other than what was specified in the binder. I decided to start with a "Needs Form" that the field offices fill out that has a categorized list of basic areas, which are found in the Earth Team Volunteers binder, where they can put down any specific task that the office needs done. For example, there is a training coming up in Cheyenne and they need 30 binders full of information copied and put together. Yet they have several projects coming to a close that are high priority as well and only a few employees in the office. This is where volunteer help will come into play and elevate the stress of juggling several tasks with limited help.
 This form will also have a section at the top that lets the field office put down public events that the employees attend. When I asked several volunteer based operations, one of them the Sublette County Search and Rescue, how they gained more volunteers throughout the years they stated that they found people were more willing to give their time to a person, agency, company, etc if they know they are doing their part and giving to the community. The old saying, "If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" still holds true.
While this issue with this form is that it is just that; another form to fill out. I contacted the field offices and got their opinions about this form and many were the same. They felt that they did not want to fill out the form either because they are busy or that it would go to the way-side. The other large issue came up of spending their limited time training a volunteer that may not come back. Is it truly worth the field offices' time to train someone who may not come back? That is a risk that all volunteer based organizations must face.
Below is the form for your viewing...

Earth Team Needs Assessment Form

Date: ____________________________________

Field Office: ______________________________________________

Amount of Volunteers Needed: _______________________________

Please list events that your field office holds or participates in throughout the year. This will better assess how each office interacts within the NRCS and with community members.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Below is a list of needs for your office specifically. Please fill in necessary information by the service detailing the needs of your office.  

Clerical Services: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conservation Education:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Conservation Implementation:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conservation Planning and/or Consultation:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Field Maintenance:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Financial Assistance and Fiscal Activities:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Human Capitol:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Natural Resource …:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Outreach Communications:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sage Grouse Initiative:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Snow and or Soil Survey:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 This table can be kept as a reference in your office to assess needs throughout the year. Also, think about importance of the activities and plan accordingly. 

Activities that MUST be Accomplished
Activities not being Accomplished
Activities we’d like to Accomplish
Activities that Volunteers can Accomplish

I also made a "Volunteer Information packet" that will give people interested in the NRCS a way to obtain basic information as well as decide if they would like to volunteer. Since we are trying to market an idea to volunteers I mainly brainstormed ideas and sent these forms to Allison McKenzie in Buffalo for her much needed honest opinion. 

Below are the brain storming ideas...

Earth Team Volunteers

Brainstorming Ideas

1.      Perks to amount of time volunteered

a.       Prizes, recognition, “insider” privileges (spot reserved during workshops)

2.      Work with local schools and school organizations (FFA, 4-H, Ag. Programs, National Honor Society, Student Council, etc.) to gain student involvement

a.       Community service events

3.      4-H and FFA Ag. Lands Volunteers

a.       Help farmers and ranchers through NRCS Earth Team Volunteers Program

b.      Cover community service needs while gaining experience through an agency

                                                              i.      Possibility of internship opportunities  

4.      Publicity about events showing the importance of projects

a.       Create close relations with public affairs specialists for help

b.      Make yourself present at community events

c.       Target earth conscious individuals

                                                              i.      Farmers Markets, health food stores (if possible), publications targeting those individuals

Public Affairs (All Field Office) Outreach

1.      June 21 – 9am-4pm, Gros Ventre Field Trip (Conservation and wildlife issues in the area RSVP events@jhalliance.org

2.      June 23 – 9^th Annual Kayak Rodeo

a.       White Water Park (Casper Paddling Club)

3.      July 6 – Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo

4.      Farmers Market?

While I started on this project in hopes that I could get it finished and sent off to the field offices and back to myself so I can revise. Due to conflicting schedules with the state field offices I did not receive feedback in a timely manner to do so. This is as far as I got with this project, yet Brenda Ling, my supervisor, said that she would try to finish this for me! How very kind of her to use my work and I hope it does come of some help in the future. 

Resume 2012

           Haley J. Lockwood

954 McCue St. Lot #11 Laramie, WY 82072

(307) 260-8983 haley.jay@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE

An internship in public relations, marketing, and communication skills

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications

University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

Graduation expected May 2013

Related course work

·        Introduction to Communication Research, Technical Writing in Professions, Communication Technology and Society, Principals of Water Quality, Nutrition of the Grazing Ungulate, Equine Nutrition and Physiology (Fall 2012 Semester)

Activities

·         Society for Range Management Wyoming Section member – competed in the Undergraduate Range Management Exam in State and National Meetings (2009 – present)

·         University of Wyoming Range Club Member and committee member (2009-present)

·         University of Wyoming Food Science Club – catering to activities on campus and private events (2011)

·         University of Wyoming Collegiate Cattle Association member and Vice President (2010 – present)

·         University of Wyoming Track and Field sprinter and hurdler (2009-2011)

·         2011 Agrifuture Conference scholarship recipient – Laramie, WY (2011)

WORK EXPERIENCE

Public Affairs Student Intern (STEP)

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – Casper, WY                                   4 June – 20 August 2012

·         Wrote articles, press releases, and job openings

·         Took photos for events throughout the state

·         Blogged on state website

·         Interviewed producers

·         Responsible for government equipment

·         Compiled and organized information

 

Security Gate Watch

J.A. & G. / MJB Equipment – Pinedale, WY                                                                                23 May – 18 August 2011

·         Security Gate Watch for Cimarex Energy Inc.

·         Checked and sign in employees and contractors

·         Communication and traffic controller

·         Responsible for holding documents and communications to helium rig and plant

·         Gate regulation for private landowners

·         Worked 12 hour shifts

Wrangler

Lozier’s Box R Dude Ranch – Cora, WY                                                                                                Summer 2007, 2008

·         Worked with Cattle and horses – moving, branding, shipping, shoeing

·         Responsible for client relations on a week-to-week basis

·         Lead and organize clients (up to 30 people) for trail rides and outdoor activities

·         Personally managed equipment, livestock, and safety of guests

·         Worked up to 60 hours a week

Out takes...

So, all seriousness aside....we had a LOT of fun. Looking through these photos you will find that most of the goofy photos are of myself and SCEP intern Katelyn (Katie) Shade of New Mexico. We roomed together in college on a whim that we would probably get along, but as you can see we don't like each other at all!

We worked hard and played even harder. Every advantage to have a good laugh was taken which is what life is all about. Looking at some of these photos I always wonder, "What am I doing?" But these are just some moments captured of our silly selves.

Enjoy!!

Our classic "Stink-Face" as we would like to call it. "Why are we looking over a dry creek bed?"

We always get a good laugh! At the SGI-SWAT awards ceremony with Chief White.

Reese Irvine and I swing dancing to Jared Rodgerson in Pinedale, WY

You want us to what?

Oh, strike a pose!? We can do that.

Gun Powder + fuse + match + medium sized anvil = Loud explosion, anvil cart-wheeling through the air, and a little cussing of the "Oh-no" variety.

Chyrl Grapes is starring in a new episode of Storm Chasers - Wyoming: When Ethity Blew Away.

Even Brenda loves the wide open spaces of Sublette County!

The classic mug-shot of yours truly, Haley Lockwood.

August 13-August 16 Wyoming State Fair Douglas, Wyoming

100 years of Wyoming State Fair

Petrified tree stump found while mining

Wyoming State Fair Board members

"Welcome to the Wyoming State Fair!"

Evan Murray and Brenda Ling at the NRCS Booth

Phenious the Greater Sage Grouse who is originally from Oregon

Megan McPhaden talking about Barnyards and Backyards

August 2 - Johnson County Fair Buffalo, Wyoming




Allison McKenzie talking to community members during a Market Beef show

Similar to Fremont County's Fair, the Johnson County Fair had a lot of good people come by the booth. I came up for just the day to work the booth and answer any questions people had for me. Since this day was mainly beef shows there weren't many people who stopped by, but non the less I had a great view of the show ring. I participated in 4-H for 10 years in showing both horses and market beef and I enjoyed seeing the high calibar steers at this fair.  


Reese Irvine helping fellow 4-H and FFA chapter members set up their animals

 


One of many beautiful calves shown at the Johnson County Fair




Reese Irvine, Buffalo Field Office emplyee, helping a young 4-H member move her animal.





I'm always a fan of a good Herford Steer!




July 31 – August 1 Fremont Co. Fair Riverton, Wyoming

Megan McPhaden and I went to the Fremont County Fair to assist the NRCS Field Office for several days while they participated in a cultural resources training in Lander, Wyoming. The entire trip was more than a success between the hospitality the local field office gave to us and the people of the community who wanted to truly know more about what we do as an agency made me believe that our work did not go unnoticed.
At some of the fairs that I have worked at it seems that most people just look to get the free "give-a-ways" from the booth and never really ask what the agency does or how we could help them. The people in Fremont County noticed that we offered a lot of programs and wanted to know more. It was great to know that you reached out to someone and created a change in their life. While my time here for the summer is short it was very cathartic to me to do that much. For those who were interested, we referred them to their local field office to work one on one with an employee who could give them more help.

USDA-NRCS booth

Megan McPhaden, small acreage programs intern working the Fremont County Fair booth

Haley Lockwood, public affairs student intern at the USDA-NRCS booth

We did enjoy one of Wyoming's greatest sports...RODEO!! This was Megans third rodeo to ever attend and we enjoyed it with several NRCS employees and their families.

Megan and I watched the rodeo with fellow NRCS employees

Having a great time at the rodeo!

We spent two days at their fair working the booth, meeting new people, and also learning more about what the Riverton Field office has been doing in the county. Several hours were spent looking at different projects that they have been focusing on and some issues that they have been facing. Several questions have been asked on one project in particular. "If we kept working on this project would it be worth the time and money put into it in the future?" That was the main question for the Ocean Lake project. This lake is essentially man-made due to the amount of irrigation in the area and the lay of the land. The geography of the land makes a "bowl" shape where several ridges drain into this low area. Because the area doesn't receive very much precipitation the main water source is irrigation water. Several issues face this lake like lack of natural habitat like rocks, debris, and organisms. Free particles float constantly due to this fact making it hard for fish to live in the environment. Ocean Lake will eventually dry out in the future which is why they wonder if they need to keep putting money into this project.

Eric Schlilt and Megan McPhaden look at an irrigation lateral north of Riverton

Irrigation lateral

A good sized Mule Deer buck out on wheat pasture

Irrigation lateral spilling into a creek with a concrete spillway

Megan and Eric discussed different advantages to filtering irrigation water.

Overall, this trip to Riverton was a huge success. We came back feeling like we made a difference by talking to community members about our work and the benefits of working with the NRCS.

July 23 - Wetland Reserve Project (WRP) Gillette, Wyoming

In recent years the Yankee family had a longtime goal fulfilled with the help of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, WWNRT, Wyoming Game and Fish, and Equip for a Wetlands Reserve Project on their ranch. The operation started in 1916 with 640 acres of land owned by Nancy Yankee’s father. Around the 1940’s Mr. Yankee rerouted a new channel of the Wild Horse Creek to increase production on a hay meadow. At the time this worked well, but since then erosion and velocity of water through the new channel has created many problems for the landowners and the environment. About 2,000 feet of creek was lost in the process of rerouting the channel and at times of high water the creek runs about 125 – 200 CFS over bank full. An issue was recognized, fixed and the habitat has improved tremendously since completion in 2011.

Looking over the restored creek bed and surrounding area.

The Yankee’s called the Gillette NRCS field office about a concern with sagebrush on their property and the conversation quickly changed to the Wild Horse creek and the amount of erosion that was shown.  From that point, the process started to change the landscape for the better. A riparian buffer (CRP) was put into place, the first continuous CRP in Campbell County, along the creek covering a total of 60 acres that became fenced off to cattle grazing for a total of 15 years until the contract is complete. An Oxbow was put into place to help diminish the effects of erosion as well. Four blocks of concrete at about four ton were set in each side of the creek bank and stacked with a dirt mound covered in tarp and cinder blocks. These cinder blocks will be filled with dirt and vegetation to control velocity of water in times of high runoff. This was placed at the end of the new section of creek joining the original channel.  

Tim Kellogg and Carol Yankee discuss the new creek bed and what to
expect in the coming years if high water comes again next spring.

Erosion from not only water but from cattle also created many issues with vegetative cover and bank erosion. Animal loss during calving months was also common due to the depth of the creek from erosion. With the 150 cow – calf pairs out of the riparian area the vegetation came back and even with the low amount of rainfall this year the grass was waist high and eroded areas were covered in a blanket of grass.

Help from the agencies made it possible to improve this section of land through seeding and planting of trees like cottonwoods, choke cherries, native plumb trees, and buffalo berries. The native grass has grown tremendously since the program started and some of the trees have started to stabilize and grow. Work is still underway to finalize the project with seeding of native grasses in the new area where the new creek and oxbow meet. A large amount of dirt was moved when taking out the old dike, inserting the new, and filling in the rerouted section with fill. Weeds have grown in this area and the local Weed and Pest are taking care of this area. With help of the Yankee’s this project has become very successful with their help, honest opinions, and willingness to work with several agencies.

An Oxbow that was put into place to help diminish the effects of high runoff and higher velocity waters.