As our name implies, Great Basin Institute’s (GBI) work tends to be heavily concentrated in one region of the country. But it’s always exciting when we get to venture outside of the confines of the Great Basin and bring GBI’s good will and expertise to other areas of the country, whether Washington, Alaska, or now Arkansas. Specifically, GBI recently deployed geographic information system (GIS) technician Gabrielle Perez to Buffalo National River (BUFF) to support the park’s efforts to compile data and develop online GIS materials for long-term storage and use by park staff.
Gabrielle, who earned a bachelor’s degree in plant biology from Oklahoma State University, relocated from Texas to Arkansas (with her cat in tow) to fill this position. It is a position that requires not only the development of complex maps, but also considerable data management, field collection, and digitization intended to make geospatial information that has been misplaced, unrecorded, left inaccessible available to BUFF staff. More specifically, Gabrielle’s recent tasks include developing floodplain maps for local tribes, River Management Plan maps, and additional layers on the Midwest Region Ozark Communication Center (MROCC) map, to name just a few.
Beyond this valuable work, Gabrielle also acknowledged that the experience has been an extremely positive one for her personally. “Working with the Buffalo National River staff has completely been the highlight of my experience in Arkansas,” she explains. “I am not from the state originally, so of course the area itself is beautiful and I get to do so many interesting tasks, but the people I get to work alongside have fully made the experience what it is for me. The Natural Resource department, which I am a part of, consists of educated and kind individuals who answer questions, provide anecdotes about past and current facets of their jobs, and create an environment that fosters learning and growth. I appreciate their willingness to aid me in tasks unrelated to employment, such as helping me get a flat tire changed out to a spare, as well as their immense understanding for mistakes, like when I delay everyone an hour by accidentally driving to a river access an hour away from the location I was meant to be at. I have been able to experience growth in a welcoming environment that values quality preparation and commitment to trying, which can feel rare when you are young and just out of school.
“Additionally, I would not be able to be in this great position without the intuitive and flexible GBI staff I have worked with. They have provided me with so much support and guidance for every issue or question I have come up with throughout the entire time I have been here. My NPS supervisor and I talk frequently about the ease with which we are able to work with the GBI staff. They were able to work through the contract amendment process seamlessly to extend my contract so I am able to learn more at the Buffalo River. Lindsay shows so much care and kindness, even down to asking about my cat that I had mentioned right after I got the job offer. Everyone that I have been able to meet and work with has been a community to me while I am here.”
Gabrielle also makes note the pleasure she’s derived from being able to work on a variety of projects. “In most cases, I believe I would be required to stick to one specific project the entire time, which has its perks! However, with this assignment, I can work on many different skills within mapping and GIS software that I had no idea existed before this experience. Coming into this position, I knew the basics of creating a map using GIS software, but with the support and guidance of the Natural Resource staff, I have been able to hone my skills and technique while branching out to try new tools, workflows, and procedures. When my projects align with good weather, I am able to get out into the park and work on surveying utilizing equipment I had previously no experience with, that now I am able to set up and run by myself. So far, during my time here, I was able to attend field days with the NR staff here, covering air, water, and soil quality runs and more. I have been able to experience and learn about what it takes to protect and care for the natural resources within a NPS park firsthand, as the staff has taken me alongside to meetings and explained processes that I would otherwise never be exposed to.
“I accepted an extension on my current contract to be able to experience more in an environment that is supportive of intellectual and technical growth. Since this is my first job out of college, I was wary of my ability to complete tasks in a professional environment as I had no reference points other than internships that I worked on with a team. After settling in here, though, I have been pushed to explore, initiate, and finalize tasks with my supervisor’s support in a way that has created confidence within me for my future positions. I hope to continue to use these vital technical skills moving forward, but I know the confidence that comes with experience is irreplaceable.”
