Meet the Fall 2016 Field School Crew!

Kam Johnson, Crew Member                                    

Before joining Field School, Kam was a self-proclaimed “simple kid” growing up in the Phoenix Area. As a kid, Kam moved around a lot but eventually landed in Avondale and attended Westview High School to finish off the last couple years of his high school career. After he graduated, Kam wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted to do as a career or even if he wanted to go to college. One day, he met a man named Leon who worked with the BLM and Leon introduced him Lawrence and Kam learned about the Field School program. At first, Kam wasn’t too sure about the program; he didn’t think he would fit in. However, Kam soon realized the opposite as he was welcomed into and became part of the Field School program. To Kam, all of the projects have been phenomenal, as were all the different places the crew has worked and traveled to. Kam can’t pick a favorite project and he also doesn’t want to spoil the surprise experiences for students participating in upcoming seasons!

Morgan Riffle, Crew Member:

Morgan graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor of Science in Community Development in 2014 before joining the Field School program. Morgan joined Field School because she was interested in exploring a career that connects people to the outdoors. Morgan’s favorite parts of the program have been working on trails, learning all kinds of new information from classes at Phoenix College and receiving amazing certifications (from tree –felling with chainsaw to Wilderness First Aid and Firefighting and more). Morgan’s favorite Field School project so far has been doing trail restoration at gorgeous Fossil Creek!

Jaemin Johnson, Crew Member:

 Jaemin graduated from Zeeland East High School in Michigan in 2013 before moving out to Arizona shortly thereafter. Jaemin joined Field School has it offered so much – College credit to real world work experience and face time with some really wonderful people in the conservation field. Jaemin never thought that she would be in a college setting after graduating high school, but being back in a learning environment with Field School has reminded her how much she enjoys learning new things from people who are passionate about their work. It’s hard for Jaemin to narrow down her favorite Field School project but to her, the most memorable has been working with in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest conducting stream surveys with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Forest Service. In addition to its extreme elevation changes, wicked weather, and strenuous hikes, Jaemin really enjoyed working with the USFS and FWS measuring the depth and length of both Maime Creek and Bear Wallow Creek to help determine whether the streams were suitable habitats for Native Apache Trout.

Jacob LaCorte, Crew Member:

Jacob graduated from Sandra Day O’Connor High School in 2016. While it had a lot of great programs, nothing really stood out to him. When he graduated from high school, a friend gave Jacob a flyer for the BLM Field School program. He decided to give it a try due to all the opportunities that may arise from participating. What Jacob has enjoyed the most about the program is being outdoors with people he has grown to care about. Working and camping with his crewmembers four days a week really brought them together as a team and friends. Jacob’s favorite Field School project has been working in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest conducting stream surveys and measuring the topography of the area surrounding the stream.

Samuel Klecka, Crew Member:

Heather Leigh Scully, Crew Leader: