Media and Blog

VOC STAFF READS Book: American Serengeti: The Last Big Animals of the Great Plains Author: Bob Flores

...and I am extremely grateful to be recognized as one of the VOC Grossman scholars this year. This scholarship will be incredibly impactful for me as I pursue my childhood dreams through a degree in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University in the Warner College of Natural Resources. I have always been enamored with the natural aspects of our world. However, moving to Colorado at just 7 years old ignited a new spark in me. From my first backpacking trip with my dad to my most recent hikes along the reservoir, the natural beauty of Colorado has held a special place in my heart. Fishing next to the rushing water and feeling the cool breeze float up from the river always puts me in a great mood. On one recent backpacking trip, my dad and I woke to two stunning mountain goats shuffling around our campsite. Experiencing such proximity to these majestic animals reminded me of the importance of protecting our natural areas. In 2020, our region experienced the largest wildfire in Colorado history, with over 208,000 acres of untouched forest being reduced to ashes. I remember stepping outside to ash falling in the streets. When the sky turned gray, I realized that this place I loved wasn’t invincible. As the sun shone an eerie red, my love for nature turned into a determination to protect it. Protecting animals and their habitats will not only improve the quality of life for these animals but also for the people who live near and among them. One project in Colorado that has inspired me is the building of wildlife bridges over busy highways and roads throughout the state. Animal and vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of death for wildlife in the United States and pose a danger to the humans involved in these collisions. Aran Johnson, a wildlife biologist for the Southern Ute Indian tribe in Colorado, has been working on one such bridge for over 15 years, and wildlife crossings such as this one have been shown to reduce vehicle collisions with large animals by more than 80 percent. This level of impact is something I aspire to. During my senior year of high school I worked in a microbiology lab at Colorado State University and have recently finished multiple experiments that study diseases in animal populations. The results of these experiments are being published in a scientific paper on which I am a contributing author. This is just the beginning of what I will accomplish in my studies and career in the natural sciences. Through research and community education during my undergraduate years and beyond, I want to promote projects like the wildlife bridges; projects that support conservation in a way that benefits everyone who calls an area home. As I work towards my wildlife biology degree, receiving the VOC Grossman scholarship will significantly shape whether I can realistically pursue my degree path. Although my family is financially stable, college is still a major investment. I’ve worked throughout the summer and school year to save for college, and a scholarship would allow me to contribute more to my education. Taking responsibility for this funding matters to me, and I want to lessen the financial burden on my family. Many students work long hours or take on heavy debt; with scholarship support, I can focus fully on my academics instead of constant financial stress. This scholarship will also have a remarkable impact on my future. Many people in the natural sciences continue to postgraduate study, and reduced debt will allow me to pursue that path. It will also give me the freedom to take research-centered work opportunities I deeply care about, allowing me to use my skills in meaningful conservation work. This kind of flexibility will strengthen my ability to contribute directly to science-based wildlife management and conservation efforts. Thank you again to the Grossmans for their passion and commitment to supporting young leaders in environmental conservation in Colorado. In addition to the Grossmans, I would like to thank my parents for their unwavering love and support.

Reconnecting to the Joy of Being a Student Since I’ve worked at VOC, I have watched volunteers follow their curiosity. They arrive at a project ready to lend a hand, learn a new skill, and gradually find new ways to contribute. Through VOC’s projects and trainings, volunteers can learn everything from trail construction and ecological restoration to outdoor cooking and tool management. This year, I decided to follow their lead by completing VOC’s Crew Leadership for Trails training. The experience reconnected me with the joy of learning a new and complex skill. The training covered interpersonal leadership, risk management, tool safety, conflict resolution, and the technical principles behind trail construction and maintenance. It challenged me to flex different muscles, both physically and mentally. More than anything, I walked away with a new appreciation for the well-informed judgment calls and teamwork behind every well-built trail.