Life in the Wildlands

In this episode, Kelly Martin talks about her career in wildland fire and how being a woman defined her career path. She discusses how W TREX training creates a community for women in wildland fire allowing more women to enter the field confidently.

Sasha Travaglio is an interpretive park ranger with the National Park Service and in this episode she tells us how she started her career and gives advice to those who are interested in the field.

Kristine Koran recently served as the Trails Project Manager for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and shares how she started her career in wilderness and trails for the Forest Service and how it led to current position with a nonprofit organization.

Retired wildland firefighter, Riva Duncan, shares the challenges of being a woman in fire, what kept her inspired, and what she is currently doing to pave the way for the future of fire with the Grassroots Wildland Fire organization.

Tracy Anderson, a retired Forest Service land steward, shares her stories of her long, rewarding career and advice for those pursuing a career in conservation. She has a broad range of experience having worked in all of the Forest Service regions except Region 2. Her primary emphasis was managing large and small timber sale programs and leading National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) teams on a variety of resource projects.

In addition to her timber and NEPA experience, Anderson has also worked as a firefighter, sale administrator, forest service representative, recreation planner, senior program manager (SCSEP) and as an initial attack and expanded dispatcher for fire. She also served as an Acting District Ranger on the Lassen National Forest.

For more information on the federal hiring process, call us at (406) 848-1660 or email info@lifeinthewildlands.org. We are here to help you pursue your conservation career!

Moose has been internationally active in the outdoors for more than 30 years as an instructor, guide and responder. Currently based in Yosemite National Park, he is the senior project director for NatureBridge, the largest provider of Environmental Education in the US National Park system. He has a long history of working in Search and Rescue and is a senior trainer for the National Park Service. Today he shares more details of what he does and a few examples of experiences that make it all worth such a fulfilling career.

Joe Chow from the Mendocino National Forest discusses the job duties of an Aquatics Biologist, how he got started in his career and provides advice on how to pursue a biology career in the Forest Service.

What exactly does a Recreation Technician do? Sereena King explains toilets, trash and educating forest visitors,  skills that she wouldn't have otherwise acquired, and why she loves this job. It's a fun job, but someone has to do it!

Katie Glick talks about how she started an outdoor career with the Forest Service, shares inspiring stories, and provides advice for those that are seeking a position with the federal government. 

Jesse Plummer shares how fuels management promotes forest health, reduces fire severity and potentially helps to protect rural communities.

Kean Strusis, former Youth Conservation Corps and American Conservation Experience Volunteer, shares how these experiences led him to paid position with the Forest Service. 

Chelsea Morgan, a Botany & Range Specialist with the Forest Service, discusses the responsibilities of her position, her long journey to permanent employment and provides advice for those seeking a career with the Forest Service.

Nelson Mills, Forester with the US Forest Service, explains why being a forester is the perfect conservation job for those that like to work outside and why now is the perfect time to apply, shares how his military experience has helped him in his career development and provides secrets of the trade to obtaining this type of outdoor career.

Why is working a job in the outdoors so great?  Join us to hear exciting stories from outdoor professionals,  advice on how to navigate towards an outdoor job with a federal land management agency and learn more about the existing outdoor career opportunities that are available.

Cecilia Reed shares what it is to be a Winter Sports Specialist, the skills she's acquired in her outdoor career, and provides advice for those seeking an outdoor career with the Forest Service.