This is my final week at the Kane’s ranch and my final week for the Invasive Species Rangeland Internship. Reflecting on the first couple weeks of this internship, I did not expect to switch ranches, nor did I expect to deal with a lack of communication with the first ranch owner. I also expected to learn other techniques outside of spraying.
I learned control methods such as poisoning prairie dogs (with Weevil-cide pellets) and spraying. The most interesting control method I learned was the use of flea beetles for leafy spurge. The only control method I had used for the last two years in my other internships was strictly spraying for invasive species. The Kane’s broadened my methods skills by adding two control variables I had never used.
Overall, this internship was out of my comfort zone. This was not because of my invasive species work, but rather the agricultural component of my internship. I have never had an interest in agriculture (I still do not have a large interest), but this internship has opened my eyes to the pros and cons of the agricultural lifestyle. I will take what I have learned and apply the vast knowledge of fencing, gated pipe, driving manual or standard transmission vehicles, and several other hands-on-skills to my everyday life.
I have not talked about this week in specific because this week was full of either more poisoning prairie dog holes or David and I reflecting on what I have learned over the course of the last month and a half.
