I have been the Stewardship and Land Management Intern at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve since September 2022. I work directly with the preserve manager, Trevor Rice. His role is to help manage the land, including on and off trail work, restoration projects, and facilities maintenance. Another aspect of his job is working with the neighbors of Wild Basin, as well as working directly with Travis County. My role as an intern has been to assist Trevor with the land management aspect of his job. A big part of this is to do weekly trail patrol. This consists of walking all parts of Wild Basin trails to pick up trash and debris and maintaining the trail corridor through the use of proper pruning techniques.

Photo taken on trail patrol with Highway 360 in the background. Photo by Maya Soojhai.

In addition to trail patrol, I assist with trail maintenance projects such as replacing steps and tree felling. Through these projects I have had the opportunity to learn how to use hand tools, power tools, and a chainsaw. Another big part of my job is invasive species management and boundary surveys. The invasive species management at Wild Basin is mainly geared towards ornamental species that come from neighbor’s yards, such as Privet (Ligustrum) and Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina).

Learning how to properly use and maintain a chainsaw through tree felling operations. Photo by Trevor Rice.

Boundary surveys take place about once a month and consist of walking various portions of the Wild Basin boundary and taking note of any unusual activity and fence maintenance. Other projects include the renovation of the sensory garden, water monitoring of Bee Creek, or working inside the Creative Research Center on tool inventories/organization when the weather gets unpredictable.

Before and after new step installation on Arroyo Vista trail. Photos by Maya Soojhai.

When I started, I knew very little about land management practices and the tools that go along with it. As someone interested in a conservation/resource management career, this internship has provided me with many learning opportunities and a good foundation to be able to build on these skills I have acquired. And as my boss Trevor likes to say, it’s pretty cool that most of my coworkers are trees!

 

Post by Maya Soojhai