Meet Sydney Yankee, range technician intern at the Lower Sonoran Field Office

At the Bureau of Land Management in Arizona, interns are essential in the stewardship of public lands. Recently, BLM Arizona hosted several direct-hire authority interns who worked on key projects enhancing the BLM’s multiple-use mission in communities across the state.

Meet Sydney Yankee, who was a range technician intern at the Lower Sonoran Field Office in Phoenix this summer. During her internship, she built upon her passion for environmental conservation while also learning and honing a variety of skills.

Read on to learn more about her experience at the BLM.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to apply for this internship with the BLM?

My name is Sydney Yankee, I am currently in my last semester at Arizona State University as an environmental science major. Environmental conservation has always been important to me and has led me to my current studies.

This past spring semester we had a guest speaker from BLM talk to us in one of my classes. He mentioned that there were possibilities of jobs/internships for students within BLM, so naturally I sent him an email after class. I was motivated by the chance to gain some hands-on experience within a government agency and wanted to move beyond theoretical knowledge and classroom learning. Eventually, I received an email back suggesting I apply for this internship.

What are some of the key projects or tasks you’ve been working on during your internship?

Currently, I have been creating a contact list that will be used to notify people who made public comments on an environmental assessment when the final decision is made. I have also done scientific literature searches and identified literature that is being incorporated into the final environmental assessment.

I have also been assisting with a land health evaluation of public land grazing allotments that will be used for the environmental assessment for the Gila Bend Complex of allotments comparing a precipitation model to the Natural Resources Conservation Service ecological sites descriptions for the project area.

When I am not in the office, I am out in the field meeting with permittees, looking at range improvements and assisting wildlife biologists with Sonoran Desert tortoise surveys and camera checks.

I have long been interested in geology and this internship has allowed me to explore the role of geologists in the BLM by accompanying them on site visits and participating in a minerals-based environmental assessment.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your internship experience so far?

The most rewarding aspect of this internship so far is all the knowledge I have gained from everyone. My BLM lead has allowed me to branch out with other departments to gain as much experience as possible. I have learned so much about the desert, from where Sonoran Desert tortoise like to burrow to what minerals and plants make up the desert. On the other end, I have learned first-hand what it is like to work at a federal agency and what government work at this level looks like.

How has this internship contributed to your personal and professional growth?

I have received a ton of great advice from everyone during my internship about career paths within and outside the government.

Communication has been a big area of growth for me during my time with BLM. I have improved my ability to convey complex environmental information clearly and effectively, both in writing and presentations. This skill will be crucial for me in any career roles as well as my last semester of undergrad. I have also gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of public land stewardship and the challenges involved in balancing conservation with land use.

What have you learned about the BLM's mission and goals during your time here?

During my time with BLM, I have reflected on the mission statement “…to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” I have concluded that BLM does stand true to their statement, and it was reflected in my everyday work.

What skills or knowledge have you gained from this internship that you plan to use in your future career?

I have gained a range of skills and knowledge that I plan to use in my future career endeavors. I have developed a stronger understanding of land management practices and environmental conservation strategies which will be valuable in any role focused on protecting natural resources.

I have gained a lot of practical experience in conducting fieldwork, data collection, and analysis which has enhanced my ability to work in diverse environments. Throughout my internship, I was able to get very familiar using ArcPro in new ways, as well as FieldMaps while out in the field to help plot points. I also had the chance to become more familiar with scientific writing and EA content.

Lastly, time management is another skill that I have honed. Through my involvement in different projects, I have learned how to organize, plan, and execute tasks in a time efficient manner with a set deadline while still balancing multiple priorities.

What are your goals after your internship with BLM?

After completion of my internship with the BLM, I am considering several goals to guide me in my next steps. I would like to advance my career in environmental conservation by applying for full-time positions within BLM and/or other federal agencies. If given the opportunity, I would jump at the chance to accept a full-time range technician position with BLM, as I enjoyed my internship so much that I would love to continue the work I was a part of. I also plan to continue to build my professional network by staying connected with contacts from my internship.

For more information about internships at the BLM, visit our Internship Program webpage.

Have a question about internships at the BLM in Arizona? Email Brooke Wheeler, State Youth, Volunteer and Environmental Education Lead, at bwheeler@blm.gov.