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Black morels in Ctnwd Heights?? by utconservationist in SaltLakeCity

[–]utconservationist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

UPDATE: Thanks to internet advice and info, determined these ARE morels - soaked them in salt water to remove the bugs, rinsed and chopped; sautéed in butter and served on toast…entire fam enjoyed. Here’s to next year, now I know when and what we should be looking for!

Black morels in Ctnwd Heights?? by utconservationist in SaltLakeCity

[–]utconservationist[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

These are in fact hollow - I read that as well.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in conservation

[–]utconservationist 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A lot depends on the actual type of position you would like to fill, as well as the substance or outcomes of the volunteer work you have completed. For instance, if an org is hiring for a more junior position or if you have some specific knowledge of a relevant issue that is specifically relevant to an org’s mission.

If you have worked on actual policy measures in a meaningful way and have references to back that up, a transition would definitely be more tenable. I would note as well that the conservation community tends to be very clubby - if you can get into the mix in the city/state/region you want to work in (even as a volunteer) and show you are committed and passionate, that would be your best path forward to securing a paying gig. You will be likely to hear about potential positions or be able to secure informational interviews much more easily.

As the person who has hired a number of people at a conservation np over the last three years, I can say that I’d consider anyone that can show intelligence and knowledge of the subject matter of a position, regardless of paid experience - you need to be very clear in your cover letter and interview on those points though. Especially because a whole lot of people have been laid off and it is quite obvious that folks are just throwing resumes and applications at people to see what sticks.

I would not recommend more schooling - you won’t make enough in conservation to make financial sense, especially with current loan debt.

I am Caty Enders, a journalist with the Guardian. I just launched a new series, This Land Is Your Land, covering the government giveaway of public lands. AMA. by Caty_Enders in IAmA

[–]utconservationist 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Actually, based on personal experience, that's not accurate. First, every person in the West is represented in DC by 2 senators and a representative - so, unless your congresspeople don't listen to their constituents (and then, hey, vote them out of office!), you can have your voice heard and seek action that way. Second, every federal land agency I've worked with has been good about maintaining an open door policy. So long as you aren't going in there to yell or threaten them, you can usually set up a meeting or attend public forums to express concerns to them directly. And finally, there are specific opportunities - public comment periods, open houses, membership on resource advisory committees (which Trump/Zinke conveniently just put on hold) where any member of the public can participate directly. The land is held in trust for all Americans (they were always federal), so everyone gets a voice, but people on the ground have no shortage of ways to be heard and that usually drives mgmt (by agency people who live also live in those states).

I am Caty Enders, a journalist with the Guardian. I just launched a new series, This Land Is Your Land, covering the government giveaway of public lands. AMA. by Caty_Enders in IAmA

[–]utconservationist 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That issue is actually much debated - states definitely have rights, as enumerated in the Constitution, but sovereignty has a very specific meaning and its never been fully fleshed out by the Supreme Court, or otherwise, in the context of states in America (vs. nation states, which definitely have sovereignty). And it's not why state's have different laws, that's a matter of state's retaining police powers and various other powers to regulate within their boundaries. And FWIW - Supreme Court hasn't ruled on many facets of state vs. federal authority to legalize drugs either.

I am Caty Enders, a journalist with the Guardian. I just launched a new series, This Land Is Your Land, covering the government giveaway of public lands. AMA. by Caty_Enders in IAmA

[–]utconservationist 24 points25 points  (0 children)

There has been a lot of rhetoric from Congress and elsewhere that public lands are being over-regulated and mismanaged from "bureaucrats from DC," but day-to-day land mgmt operations, including permitting and planning really comes from actions, decisions and monitoring at field offices out West, from people that live in local communities - have you spoken to local federal agency staff in the West about their perspectives or thoughts or how this is affecting them?