The soils crew kicking butt, ahead of schedule!

We cannot believe that field season is nearly halfway over! This year is the first year that we have two separate crews tackling different aspects of range monitoring and ecosystem service measurement. We are busier than ever this summer, and both field crews are kicking butt! Check out the crew bios here so you can get to know us this year. We have a few returning members that have helped teach the newcomers and made the additional field work easier. The newbies have been fast learners and fit in seamlessly with the team. The soils crew is measuring infiltration, taking bulk density samples, and taking samples to analyze for carbon — all metrics that will help us learn about the health of these rangeland soils. Meanwhile, the vegetation crew has been measuring stubble height and identifying plant species in the riparian areas. And though we work hard to collect data, we also make sure to have fun while doing so. Being able to laugh is a necessity when it’s 80 degrees outside and you’re being eaten alive by mosquitoes…

Part of the summer fun we have planned includes a field work Olympics. If you have a field crew of your own, join us next month as we compete! So far we plan on including the following events: gate opening, transect setup, navigation, stream jumping, infiltration ring hammering, and shovel toss. Let us know what other events you think we should include, and be sure to tune into our Instagram feed for some free entertainment!

When we aren’t working hard or planning the next Olympics, our crews have been showing the newbies around Rich County. Nobody believes us when we tell them the forests in Rich County are secret gems full of beauty and wildlife, so of course we have to prove it to them. Now that you know the secret too, we encourage you to go explore these public lands! Just make sure to keep it a secret between us ok? While you’re in Randolph, we also highly recommend breakfast at The Bakery, a stop for burgers and sweet potato fries at the Crawford Trough, followed by a snow cone from The Shack. Thank us later.

2022 Mid Season Check In!