Texas 2020
In spring of 2020, I spent many months looking for a summer job that encompassed my love for ecology and wildlife. After 64 applications, three interviews, and countless emails I was hired — Range ecologist at East Foundation. I would work for three months on a ranch in Hebbronville, Texas.
Image by East Foundation via https://www.eastfoundation.net/the-foundation/our-land/ Public Domain
I had never been in a biome quite like South Texas. It was a desert filled with cacti, palm trees and low shrub. The wildlife was unlike anything either! Tarantulas, horny toads, badgers, rattlesnakes, and so much more.
A female Texas Tan Tarantula (A. anax) sits at the front of my quarters to greet me my first night in Texas.
All images above by Kalee Elliott via CC
I was on the vegetation crew, which means I spent most of my days clipping plant samples, identifying them and then drying them out. I learned how to identify so many unique southern plants — it was very educational. I got to go on a prescribed burn, help PhD students with their studies, and so much more.
I wrapped up in August of 2020 and drove 17 hours back to Atlanta, GA.
