Welcome to Field School!

Field School Program Orientation Week!      

Hitch Accomplishments:
Program Orientation; Restoration/GPS Training; Trail Training; Backcountry Safety; Intro. to Federal Land Agencies; Academic Course Orientation; Work Readiness Skills

Day One:  Monday, August 22, 2016:

First day of the Phoenix Field School Fall 2016 Program! Day One included program orientation, member introduction, and overview of upcoming projects, the history of conservation and the overview and missions of the different federal land agencies.

Day Two: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 – ACE Trails Training and BLM Orientation:

All Field School members came to Day Two in full Field School uniforms, including hiking/work boots to start breaking them in for the upcoming week’s field projects.  In the morning, the crew participated in the ACE Trails Training led ACE National Trails Trainer/Coordinator, Mark Loseth. The Crew learned about the different types of trails, trail terminology, trail design, implementation sustainability, and construction/restoration, in regards to different landscapes, rock-work, soils, uses, and other environmental factors.   In the afternoon, the crew traveled to the BLM Phoenix District Office for the BLM Orientation and Introductions, led by BLM youth Coordinator, Lawrence Harper. The crew learned more about the BLM, the history of Field School, and met with various BLM staff members and learned about the different areas of BLM management while becoming more familiar with the BLM PDO Office.

Day Three: Wednesday, August 24, 2016 – ACE Restoration Training and Backcountry Safety:

During the morning and early afternoon, the crew actively participated in the ACE Restoration and GPS training led by the ACE National Restoration and Chainsaw Program Manager, Afton McKusick.  The crew learned about the different ecosystems, biomes, and landscapes found in Arizona and learned about specific restoration areas and management. This training introduced the crew to conservation restoration on both macro-and-micro scales, further focusing on different restoration methods and techniques for different landscapes and species. The crew participated in an interactive GPS training, learning how to use a GPS in regards to collecting field and recording data and field navigation.  In the afternoon, the crew participated in the ACE Backcountry and Outdoor Safety and Risk Management Training, learning about potential risks associated with conservation field work and outdoor recreation and how to stay safe throughout the program and on specific projects.

Day Four: Thursday, August 25, 2016 – Phoenix College Orientation:

During the morning, the crew went on a guided tour of Phoenix College, learning about the different programs offered, student resources, and where their courses will be located. The Crew also received their student IDs. After touring the Phoenix College Campus, the Crew had lunch with PC Field School Lead, Steve Thorpe and BLM Youth Coordinator, Lawrence Harper before having individual course orientations with each course instructor, receiving all syllabi and learning the goals, objectives, and expectations of each course for the semester, as well as receiving an introductory training on using the Online Phoenix College course system.

Day Five: Friday,  August 26, 2016:

All crew members came to orientation with their *new* backpacks “packed” for the upcoming hitch with any and all supplies, clothes, etc., that were thought to be needed for a hitch.  As a group, the crew learned how to properly pack their backpacks for hitches, how to best utilize space, and supplies, and adjust packs for weight displacement and comfort. Additionally, the crew went over program expectations and the coming project hitch week, as well a brief introduction to Leave No Trace and prepped for the first hitch in the field!