2020 Bitterroot Wildlife Internship Program Report

2020 Bitterroot Wildlife Internship Program Report

November 11, 2020

The BWI collaboration between MPG Ranch and Ecology Project International helps students participate in ongoing research projects and conservation efforts.

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This past summer, 10 high school students from Montana and Idaho spent 20 days camping at the ranch, living and learning in two separate groups.

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nterns contributed 772 hours at MPG Ranch toward fence repair, weed removal, and various other restoration research projects

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Interns spent 226 hours repairing three miles of fencing to improve wildlife passage across MPG’s north and south boundaries

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After a morning of weed removal, interns returned to camp covered in dust and dried sweat, ready to learn or help with research

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Interns spent many afternoons with Joshua Lisbon, heading into the foothills to learn tracking skills, observe wildlife and, of course, eat huckleberries.

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Butterfly Day might not be a national holiday, but it was a highlight for BWI students.

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Interns worked with members of the University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab to net and observe songbirds.

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Two interns spent their mornings’ surveying tree cavities for Lewis's woodpeckers.

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Working with Morgan McLeod, this intern explored the potential use of berms as a passive water retention technology in restoration projects.

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Another participant worked with Marirose Kuhlman to collect and identify native and non-native bees.

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One intern worked with Ylva Lekberg to study arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in blanket flower.

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Two students worked with Sierra McMurry and Nate Schwab to study bat populations at the Pump Slough.

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One intern collaborated with Mat Seidensticker to capture hundreds of moths and insects.

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One participant’s love of hunting and fishing led him to create a short nature documentary about mule deer.

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One intern worked with Maggie Hirschauer to compare the life cycles of red-femured milkweed borers and small milkweed bugs

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In the golden light of the summer evening, interns from each session pose for group pictures. Their takeaways from the internship are diverse.

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2020 Bitterroot Wildlife Internship Program Report

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2020 Bitterroot Wildlife Internship Program Report

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