Reflections

 Reflections

Over the course of the semester, I really enjoyed diving deeper into a focused area that is so close to home and that I live only 20 minutes away from. It was very enjoyable to look at biodiversity and how it affects the ecosystem that surrounds my home, as well as all the contributing factors that play a role in creating a functioning environment. With my professional career being in agriculture, I will say that it was a refreshing experience to look at conservation and environmental impacts from a different perspective.

I also enjoyed learning about new technology, such as the mapping tools assignment. This was a new website that I had never used before. In my current position, I use a lot of aerial imagery tools to help distinguish pasture fields from crop fields, so learning about another mapping resource was very beneficial and applicable to my professional career.

The assignment involving Web Soil Survey was especially useful because it is a tool that I use very often when writing nutrient management plans and conservation plans. I was already very familiar with the program, but the assignment allowed me to look at it from a different perspective and better understand the amount of information it can provide about an area and its soil types. I have learned that different soil types can provide valuable information about the species of grasses, plants, and trees that are likely to establish in an area.

Another great resource we were able to use was the different types of weather applications and weather stations that publish information and statistics. One part of my job at Culpeper Soil & Water Conservation District involves working with the district dams. We have 11 dams that we are responsible for, so weather stations are commonly used in our office to monitor weather conditions, predict storm patterns, and watch precipitation estimates. Being able to connect what we learned in class to something that I regularly use in my professional career was very beneficial.

For plant and species identification, I also use artificial intelligence on a daily basis, especially when I am out in pastures identifying weeds. This has become a very useful tool for me because it allows me to quickly identify plants and help producers better understand and manage the vegetation in their pastures. It has also given me another resource that I can use when helping producers make informed decisions about their pasture management.

The last thing I really enjoyed was beginning the nonprofit organization assignment. Conducting the research for this assignment helped me better understand some of the organizations that I work with in my current field. I work with a variety of organizations that assist producers through cost-share programs, conservation easements, and other conservation efforts. This assignment helped me gain a better understanding of how these organizations operate and the procedures and processes that helped them reach where they are today.

Overall, I really enjoyed this course because it allowed me to connect what I learned in the classroom to both my home environment and my professional career. Many of the tools and concepts we covered are things that I can continue to use in my work, while also giving me a broader perspective on biodiversity, conservation, and environmental management.