More than Just Research

Image: Taylor Burdge hiking in the Tetons Range.

By Taylor Burdge
B.S. Earth Systems, 2016
Summer Intern at the Henry's Fork Foundation

Read about our summer interns on the Out West student blog. Throughout the summer, the Center's interns and Research Assistants will be sending in virtual postcards, snapshots and reports on their summer work.

In the middle of June, I arrived at the doorstep of the Henry's Fork Foundation's office in Ashton, Idaho, unsure of what this summer would bring. I had a general idea of what I would be doing and a vague understanding of the geographical area. However, I was oblivious to the importance of the Henry's Fork Watershed and the role it plays in Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This summer furthered my appreciation for the American West, built on my field research experience, and allowed me to observe grassroots conservation efforts at work. However, my summer was more than just research – I lived in Idaho for 10 weeks and gained an appreciation for the friendly people, clean air, and laidback life that Idaho has to offer.

Moving to a small town of 1,100 people and living in a house with seven interns from four other schools tested me in unexpected ways. Knowing no one, I grew more outgoing and made friends as I became part of the community. I took up running and completed my first race—a half marathon in the freezing rain that ended on Main Street in Ashton, Idaho. As an avid outdoorsman, I took advantage of the hiking, climbing, and cycling opportunities nearby. During my first week in Idaho, I ‘conquered’ Table Mountain in five feet of snow and 38F weather. A weekend trip down to Salt Lake City turned in to my first multipitch climb. When I wasn’t feeling as active, huckleberry picking became an obsession and I would spend hours huddled over bushes picking these tiny berries. Adventures to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Bozeman, Salt Lake City and Sun Valley all contributed to the 10,000 miles I put on my car.

My summer experience as a Bill Lane Center intern has left me full of questions. I have grown to love the American West but question what role I should play in its conservation. Should I go to law school and pursue environmental law? Should I become an environmental scientist? Would an engineering degree be more useful? As a rising junior, I can use this summer's experience to help shape my coursework for the next two years. I am hopeful that my future will allow me to return to the northern Rockies.

Read more at the Out West Blog for Summer Interns »