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.

July 18 - Grassland Restoration Plan Douglas, Wyoming

Many landowners are now faced with the current threat of selling out. Several questions that producers face concern the integrity of the land and its function as an agricultural operation free of development. Ben and Pauline Middleton had the same concern like many other producers. A Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) was put into place to do just that; “Restore and Protect Grazing Land."  Funding and technical assistance from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Forest Service and Commodity Credit Corporation helped get the project underway in the application, ranking process, contracts, and easement planning.

The Middleton’s hold several cultural diverse areas on their property. The town site of Hammond, Wyoming, an early 1900’s town, sits at the foothills of Wagonhound Peak. Complete with post office, school and homestead this town consisted of one family with several children. A concrete plate is set into the earth in front of the post office dated 1930 where locals would come to get their mail. This among other things like tee pee rings, tree mill and name carvings on limestone cliffs add to the diversity in the area. Land protection is the highest priority along with energy protection to save the view-scape and surface from disturbance.

This piece of property is essentially landlocked by neighbors, the Wagonhound Ranch and Sullivan’s, making access to this property harder than usual. A permanent easement was put into place for 2,621 acres with 5 acres excluded which is part of the homestead area. With this protected easement they will have limited rights with what they can do with the land, but they work the property normally with some help from agencies to improve the habitat on their property for livestock and wildlife. Several watersheds come through their property and are important to habitat diversity. The easement and conservation program gives assistance for grazing management, increasing plant and animal biodiversity, and protecting grasslands by buying developing rights. The range conservationist will rate the range good, moderate, or poor condition and assess accordingly for help funding.

Funding has been in place, yet the process is still underway to finish the easement. The Middleton’s land is protected from future threats like residential and energy development through GRP while improving the habitat for many native species. Surveying issues are the main concern at this time with section corners not meeting up after surveying this spring. With this issue fixed the Middleton's will keep in contact with the NRCS Field Office to make sure they are staying within the restrictions stated in the easement agreement.

Looking north on the Middleton property towards Douglas.

Grant Stumbough, Andi Meyer, and Ben Middleton look over a grave of a young girl who lived in Hammond, Wyoming.

Tim Schroder, Haley Lockwood, and Pauline Middleton

Looking north west towards a water cistern placed along the hill.

The Hammond, Wyoming post office and homestead.

Concrete stone stating: Hammond, WY Post Office 1901-1930

Side of the old School house

Grant Stumbough and Ben Middleton looking at an old cook stove in a band of willows.

The limestone cliffs hold several name and brand carvings like this one called
the X H Bar

July 11 - July 13 Sommers Stewardship Tour/ SCEP Camp

There have been several chances where I have gone back to Sublette County for work. This has been a true blessing having ability to open my mind to more opinions and facts that are constantly changing what I have thought before. Not only about this area but also my opinions and views.  These couple days were spent in the Lander area and in Sublette County where separate events were held. I attended both with several State Office employees, including Astrid Martinez, state conservationist. 

SCEP Camp, held every year, was held in Lander, Wyoming. This area has a rich diversity and special needs that many agencies in the area must be aware of. Such things as tribal laws, cultural resources, and land ownership add to the challenges they face. This among other things must be kept in mind when creating any kind of plan for a landowner to improve their operation or habitat for wildlife.

Our first stop, we looked at a fish ladder that connected to an irrigation lateral, canal, and the use of this project for increasing fish population. The system that was put into place is one of the largest  and multi-functional systems. It not only filters debris from the lateral but also places fish back into the creek. Increased temperatures through the lateral lead to fish death which became an issue.

Diagonal lateral screen - filters irrigation water from debris and directs fish back to creek.

State and Field office employees catch up while looking over a project in Fremont County.




Heritage was evident as we drove through Ethete, Wyoming.

Brenda Ling, public affairs specialists, and Astrid Martinez, state conservationist listen to a speaker during the tour.



We worked hard to stay on schedule as we traveled across the mountain to the Sommers Stewardship tour in Pinedale. The Sommers family has had a wonderful yet hectic summer with both the conservation and stewardship award that they deserve. We met early on July 12 where they did an introduction for themselves, the ranch, history, and the days events. The tour consisted of every aspect of the ranch from grazing rotations to agency employees they work with throughout the year. Six hours and a very long bus ride later we met for dinner at the Sommers ranch where we had a chance to catch up with people from across the state. Sublette County has had three Stewardship awards given in recent years; a true testament to our ties with the land.

Start of the tour looking down at the ranch.

Pat ..., from the Stockgrowers Land Trust and Albert Sommers

Looking at range conditions on the northern end of the Mesa allotment above the Hennick Draw.

Charles Price

Brenda Ling, public affairs specialist takes in the beauty of the Green River in Sublette County.

Albert Sommers talking about summer grazing allotments in the Upper Green River Valley.

Attendees listen and survey the area as speakers talked about the area and the problems they may face.

To finish the SCEP Tour we traveled east and headed to Farson and Lander. In Farson we met with NRCS employees there to talk about their salinity issues within the soil. The majority of the Eden Valley is comprised of irrigation pivots due to that fact. Flood irrigation makes the salt in the earth rise to the surface and therefore flowing into streams and rivers. The salinity needs to be kept at a minimum from the headwaters down to Mexico because of a treaty the United States has with Mexico. We looked at some areas of interest where they have filters to catch debris and create a better functioning irrigation system.

Map showing irrigation pivots in the area

SCEP Students looking over a filter system put in place to capture debris



Going across South Pass we stopped at South Pass City where we toured the old mining town, now a tourist destination. I have to admit that I have passed South Pass City probably close to a hundred times, and this was the first time I have ever visited this site. This mining town held some of the toughest people who crawled into a dark hole for the day just to find gold. We were shown the process, past and present, of drilling into rock and how to pan for gold. Several of us decided that it looked like a good opportunity to find precious gems that we can't afford regularly like ruby's or even gold. If we are lucky!

Our tour guide showing the process of panning for gold.

In this pan there were several gold flecks.

Our guide gave us the history of the area and gave us a glimpse to how life would have been at that time era. The highlight of this trip was watching a medium sized anvil fly 50-60 feet in the air. There are two anvils, bottom to bottom, with one set into the earth. A good amount of gun powder is set into a hole on the bottom of the anvil set into the ground complete with fuse. The other anvil is set on top, fuse lit, and with everyone out of the way, explodes up in the air with a cannon sound. Why would they do this? As Independence Day would roll around and settlers were traveling across the prairie they would do this to salute the flag since they didn't have a cannon. Needless to say my reaction was priceless and I will never forget it!


Using a high powered drill to show the advancement of technology and to also get a sense of how hard it was to blast through to find gold.

In the saloon playing Billiards the original version of pool

1800's Hotel room