Careers in Conservation

Dear Mike Bouton and Midwest Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation,

 I can not thank you enough for the opportunity that was the Careers in Conservation program. I made new friends, went on some amazing adventures, and got to visit some pretty cool colleges. My trip to the American Northwest was nothing short of jaw-dropping and life-changing. I believe that everyone should have an experience like that at least once in their life.

 I remember when I first got to the airport with Jack, having no idea who we were looking for, no idea how this trip was going to go, and I think if I went back in time and told myself all the things that were going to happen, I wouldn’t have believed it. Mike, I remember you walking up to Jack and me, immediately knowing who was who. Was it really that obvious? You had this big smile on your face, and immediately realized that we were a little frazzled. You told us how great a time we would have and followed up with introducing us to BRENDA!!! Getting to know you two was much easier than I thought it would be. It was also pretty easy to make friends with Anna, Tyler, Fisher, and Kaydance. I could not have asked for a better group to venture into the unknown with. We made memories together, lifelong friendships, and maybe future colleagues.

 Going hiking or taking the boat out is fun and all, but the adventures we took on this trip were unimaginable. I remember when we first arrived in Joseph after a four-hour car ride in the dark, and we all jumped out, already best of friends after an awesome dinner, and we ran out back to the yard and realized we could hear a river. Little did we know, the river was in the backyard. Those first couple of days were sleepy, but memorable. We played games, watched movies, went fishing and swimming, and got to hang out with some amazing conservation professionals. Whether it was hiking the Zumwalt with David or exploring the mountains with Ethan, we had loads of fun and tons of knowledge crammed into our brain folds. As the week went on, our trip got a little wilder as we explored the wildlife that is prized in conservation. We spent a full day exploring the ins and outs of the Nez Pierce Fish Hatchery as well as the tribes efforts to aid David Moen and his research into the repopulation of the California Condors in Hells Canyon. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience getting to talk to and ask questions about the extensive knowledge and skills that come into play when dealing with endangered species like the Chinook Salmon and California Condors. The most mind-blowing days, however, were that Thursday and Friday when we got to experience things that 99% of the world’s population can’t even dream of. I thank you, Mike, for setting these next two events up for us, because I don’t think very many people can say that they have seen a cougar autopsy or been on a jet boat tour with a biologist straight out of a Nat Geo film. Visiting WSU was something out of a science fiction novel, getting to pet the paws of a real brown bear, talking with some of the most skilled professionals in Zoology, as well as getting to spectate a full autopsy of a fully grown cougar. I had never even seen a cougar until that day, let alone watch one get fully examined. Friday was another full day packed with knowledge and adventure. Taking the jet boat through Hells Canyon and stopping to get up close and personal with big horn sheep with Francis Cassirer was a fever dream.

 Out of all of these experiences, I have one key takeaway that sums it all up. Who we are today and who we can be tomorrow is determined by the chances we took and the adventures we made yesterday. Thank you, Mike, for this amazing adventure, and thank you, Wild Sheep Foundation, for funding our adventure.

– Jonathan Phenix

   Waconia, MN.