DHA interns attend local career fair

On June 7th, members of the California Desert District (CDD) office attended a career fair at Bay Point Academy in Hemet, California. The event hosted several organizations, as well as California universities, in order to introduce students to a variety of career paths and future endeavors. The CDD is committed to partnering with local communities to provide opportunities for collaboration and internships such as the Direct Hiring Authority - Research Assistant Internship (DHA-RAI). The DHA -RAI program allows qualified and motivated university students to immerse themselves in BLM careers, while providing them with the opportunity to gain a permanent BLM position.

Members of the CDD at the career fair booth. Left to Right: Leigh Karp (Wilderness Coordinator), Audrey Sauvey, Rachel Moulton, and Lis Mota (DHA-RAI Interns).

DHA interns Rachel Moulton, Audrey Sauvey, and Lis Mota spoke with over 200 kindergarten through middle school students educating them about public lands, Leave No Trace, and the BLM mission. They also shared their own insight on pursuing a BLM career and discussed where to enjoy local BLM lands, opportunities to volunteer, and how they can be citizen scientists. The organizers of the event unofficially presented the BLM the "Best booth award" for the interactive content and utilization of field equipment props such as tents, chairs, and "fire."
Leigh Karp, Wilderness Coordinator, and Kyle Sullivan, Mojave Trails National Monument Manager, were able to supply students and teachers with educational materials to supplement STEM lesson plans and increase awareness of public land use. To inspire students to spread outdoor ethics, the BLMers shared an interactive mnemonic to remember the seven principles of Leave No Trace:

1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable service
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of other visitors.

DHA Interns perform Leave No Trace principle mnemonic to a group of fourth grade students.

This summer, Moulton (Environmental Science B.S.) and Sauvey (Geographic Information Science M.S.) are using GIS software to collaboratively review and improve the efficiency of the CDD's two-decade desert restoration program. Mota's (Wildlife Conservation B.S.) research project involves monitoring Bighorn sheep and human interactions to aid trail design. Upon graduation and successful completion of their DHA-RAI program, Moulton, Sauvey, and Mota will be eligible to seek BLM careers through their direct hire authority.

Story by Audrey Sauvey and Rachel Moulton, Natural Resource Interns, and Leigh Karp, Wilderness Coordinator. Photos by Kyle Sullivan, Mojave Trails National Monument Manager.

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