Botanist

If you enjoy the excitement of discovery, have good observational skills, and enjoy the outdoors, then botany might be the field for you. Botanists study plants; most BLM botanists are involved in the rare plant program. They search for new populations of known rare plants, and sometimes discover plants that have not yet been documented. They need good observational skills to be able to recognize and describe the types of areas that support rare plants, and to find and identify the plants themselves. BLM botanists also study rare plants to determine why they are rare and whether activities on the public lands are harming or threatening them. Botanists set up studies to determine the condition of range or wildlife habitat, help to revegetate disturbed areas, and develop plans for the management of areas of environmental concern. A botanist must have a bachelor's degree in botany, basic plant science, or another biological science; many botanists also have additional graduate training. Good preparatory high school classes are English and writing, math, sciences, and computer science.