by Alex Williams
From the arid desert valleys of Eastern Nevada to the High Sierras, the Great Basin Institute’s Ecological Monitoring Program (EM) comes afoot. This program plays a pivotal role in collecting and tracking changes in the area’s natural resources, with a sharp focus on providing essential data on the region’s ecological dynamics. With a behind the scenes look and capturing their work, EM’s crewmembers are the ones responsible for the rigorous collection and analysis of AIM (Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring) plot data on BLM land. What is a plot you might ask? What is BLM land? I invite you to read on!
For those unfamiliar, the EM program consists of a fully staffed team from Program Director Lauren Steinkamp; Project Managers Taylor Champion, Brittany Nelson, Katherine Lynch, Shannon Murphy, Blake Ferrel, Allison Peterson-Park; and Program Coordinator CJ Ajir, to ~65 seasonal field staff that include Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) seasonal collaborators, as well as stream survey crews with United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Their expertise and commitment to understanding the evolving state of the Great Basin’s ecosystem are fundamental to effective and adaptive conservation strategies.
Nearing the end of the summer season, I had the opportunity to join one of EM’s “Statewide Crews” that consisted of 3 intelligent, dedicated, and humorous people: Crew Lead Laurel Tashjian, and Field Technicians Scott Kuykendall and Stephanie Wilker. Here’s a peek into their world and passions as we dive into their roles at work and who they are.
Laurel Tashjian, EM Crew Lead, Austin, Texas
Laurel’s path to conservation began early in life, growing up on a hobby farm where she developed a strong connection to nature. Her interest in plants started with herbalism, but her curiosity soon expanded into ecology and restoration, leading her to pursue formal studies in these fields. “I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate relationships between plants and ecosystems,” she reflects.
Laurel learned about GBI through colleagues in the field who had participated in the AIM program and spoke highly of the experience. “They described it as the best field experience they’d ever had, and that definitely caught my attention,” she says.
This season, Laurel has focused on improving her technical botany skills while exploring the diverse landscapes of Nevada. “Every day in the field brings a new challenge and opportunity to learn,” she says. One of her most rewarding experiences has been gaining confidence in driving a truck with a trailer – an essential skill for navigating the remote sites her team monitors – while gaining geology knowledge from her crew member, Scott. Though hitches can be fun, they do bring challenges. A challenge Laurel anticipates is interacting with the public in remote areas. “It’s important to maintain situational awareness and communicate well with the team,” she explains.
Currently, her work with AIM involves collecting vegetation and soil data, which helps land managers make informed decisions on how best to manage the land. Looking ahead, Laurel aims – pun intended – to work as a public lands botanist, where she can contribute to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience.
Scott Kuykendall, EM Field Technician, Reno, Nevada
Scott’s passion for the outdoors and the environment has been a constant throughout his life. With a degree in geology, he initially focused on the earth sciences but found his way into conservation through a desire to protect the landscapes he loves. “I’ve always wanted to contribute to something that benefits the environment in a real, tangible way,” Scott says.
When he found GBI through a random Google search, he was thrilled to explore more of Nevada. “Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting into, but it sounded like a good time,” Scott jokes. One of the best parts of his job? Getting to hike through remote areas, especially those that aren’t on any tourist map. “It’s crazy — some of these places are impossible to get to, but they’re absolutely stunning. It’s like discovering secret spots that no one else knows about,” he says.
This season has provided Scott with the opportunity to deepen his knowledge of the natural world, particularly in plant identification — a skill that was new to him when he joined the program. “Botany wasn’t my background, but now I can identify a number of plant species, which has been both challenging and rewarding,” he says. But, for Scott, the biggest challenge is dealing with unpredictable weather and rough terrain. “Preparation is key. We always have backup plans, and you have to be adaptable in this field,” he advises.
With his time at GBI, Scott has grown fond of conservation work. He sees his career moving toward a government or environmental protection role where he can continue to make a positive impact.
Stephanie Wilker, EM Field Technician, Columbus, Ohio
For Stephanie, the outdoors has always been a source of inspiration. With a background in evolution and ecology, she has long been passionate about wildlife and conservation. “I’ve always been drawn to the natural world, especially animals, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career where I could work to protect them,” she says.
Stephanie found out about GBI through a conservation job board and was intrigued by the variety of projects they offered. This season, she has enjoyed expanding her knowledge of botany while continuing to explore her love for wildlife.“I’m always on the lookout for lizards. I’ll stop dead in my tracks if I see one.” Her biggest challenge so far has been navigating BLM (Bureau of Land Management) protocols — especially soil texturing. “It’s not as glamorous as it sounds. You’re basically feeling dirt between your fingers and guessing what kind it is. I think I’ve become a human soil detector.” Stephanie has also developed new technical skills, such as off-road driving and trailer handling, which are essential for navigating the rugged terrain of her field sites.
Looking ahead, Stephanie hopes to become a biologist or ecologist, where she can continue to contribute to conservation efforts on a larger scale.
Advice for Aspiring Conservationists
When asked what advice they’d give to someone considering a similar path, the crew had some gems of wisdom. Laurel didn’t hesitate: “Do a field season! It’s the best way to see if you really want to be out here in the dirt all day. Plus, GBI takes care of you — which is more than I can say for some other places.” Scott added, “You have to love being outside, even when it’s not so fun. Like, I really love it. Because sometimes, it’s you and a bunch of mosquitoes at the end of a 12-hour day.” And Stephanie? “Just go for it. You’ll learn so much — and trust me, you’ll never look at dirt the same way again.”
What’s On Their Hitch Playlist?
The crew’s playlist is an eclectic mix of Chappell Roan, The Chicks, Bad Bunny, and whatever’s playing on Stephanie’s phone.
In the end, what ties this crew together is not just their shared mission to protect the environment, but their humor, camaraderie, and passion for the natural world. Whether it’s identifying plants, driving off-road, or laughing at the challenges they face, they’re all in it for the plot. As the summer season wraps up, they continue to gather critical data for the AIM program — and have a blast while doing it.
