August 25, 2011

August Highlights
by Adam Lieberg

Hard to believe the summer is coming to an end when still feels like it just began. With that said, we still accomplished an awful lot of work for what felt like such a short summer. I would like to thank our summer interns Cassie, Krista, and Sean for all their hard work this summer.

Summer interns (left to right) Krista, Sean and Cassie

While attending the USGS Bear DNA project training, the summer interns and I were lucky enough to join FWP Bear Management Specialist, Tim Manley, while he processed a grizzly cub he trapped in someone’s yard. He trapped the sow the day before and was going to reunite the family and then relocate them to a more remote location.

Summer intern Cassie March (left) was joined in the field by Wildlife in the West alumna Rebekah Rafferty to collect bear hair off a "Tomorrow's Timber" Forest Service sign that also serves as a bear rub.

One of the perks about working on the Bear DNA study, other than the fact it whips you into shape, is that you get to see some beautiful country while on the job. The following is a video I took of Cassie March at the Old Holland Lookout during a day of Bear DNA field work.

NwC intern Cassie March at Old Holland Lookout. Note, no audio track.

The summer interns helped Andrea Stephens, NwC's Watershed Specialist, conduct westslope cutthroat trout surveys in a number of tributaries throughout the Swan River watershed. This type of field work requires electro-fishing, a common technique used for surveying fish.

Northwest Connections also helped Swan Valley Bear Resources pull off its 4th annual Bear Fair. The summer interns ran the kids table, Tom and Steve ran the vehicle shuttle, while I staffed the SVBR table. A special thanks to our SVBR partners at Swan Ecosystem Center, Swan Valley Bear Ranger Mark Ruby, all the presenters and tablers, and all the friends, family and colleagues who volunteered at the event. Bear Fair photos by Lori Roberts.

Towards the end of the summer NwC once again partnered with the Swan Ecosystem Center to host a joint fundraiser for Swan Valley Innovations. This event was held at Neil and Dixie Meyer’s beautiful property at Salmon Prairie. This same evening, NwC founders Tom and Melanie Parker received an award from the Cinnabar Foundation for their contributions to the Montana Legacy Project. Congratulations Tom and Melanie!!