Bob Parmenter
Non Forest Service
“[One of] my favorite science experience[s] has been working on the Mount St. Helens volcano since its explosive eruption in 1980. In the early years after the eruption, the roads were destroyed. My crews and I helicoptered into our study sites, where we examined the diversity and population sizes of the surviving plant and animal species. Over the last three decades, we’ve returned many times to witness and record the remarkable recovery of the plants and animals. This recovery provides evidence of Nature’s resilience. I’m looking forward to going back in 2010 for the 30-year reunion of scientists that have worked there since the eruption—along with new generations of science students!”
“[Another one of] my favorite science experience[s] was (and still is) tracking the recovery of the plants, fish, and wildlife following the very large Las Conchas wildfire. This wildfire burned through northern New Mexico in the summer of 2011. I monitor the populations of bears, mountain lions, elk, deer, squirrels, mice, birds, salamanders, and fish. I also monitor invertebrates, including grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, ants, wasps, butterflies, and moths. It’s fascinating to see how all these species respond to large forest fires in New Mexico.”
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