I was in awe taking so many pictures as if the moment wouldn’t last. Within my first week, I noticed I was applying all my academic knowledge I had obtained from my undergrad -- shout-out to Texas Tech, Natural Resources Department!

After my first week, I can truly say I completed many tasks I never saw myself doing right out of college. I have already gained what feels like a lifetime of experience, but I know that for my internship of 11 weeks it has only just begun.

I have already scaled the side of the canyon to apply herbicide to trails for recreational use of hiking and biking. Running into rattlesnakes on the diamondback trail was slightly terrifying, but with a great mentor like Adrian Escobar, I was reminded that snakes are more scared of you then you are of them, hence why they act like they will stick but most often don’t.

This truly is an amazing opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what is in store. On the first tour I thought I had seen it all, but the best views and experiences have come from exploring and working in the field via a UTV.