Rae Benson Senior in Environmental Sciences at Oregon Institute of Technology Emphasis in Watershed Mgt., Minor in GIS

1. Rae Benson Senior in Environmental Sciences at Oregon Institute of Technology Emphasis in Watershed Mgt., Minor in GIS Colville Enrolled Member/ Klamath Descendent United States Geological Survey: Student Temporary Employment Program SISNAR – Student Interns in Support of Native American Relations With a grant from the SISNAR Program, Rae was able to work with the USGS Klamath Falls Office in an 8 week internship. During his time with USGS, Rae participated in various projects in the field as well as numerous hours on his main project. Rae was trained to work with specific field equipment, OJT. On location at Gearhart, he kept maintenance on Allflex Panel Readers. While at Boles Creek, Rae was introduced to the technique of fish shocking & trap netting. For is main project, Rae focused on Clear Lake with a study on the recruitment of juvenile suckers into the adult population. “Programs like KBTYP and SISNAR are very valuable to Native Students like myself. I was able to get some hands on experience with projects I had never done before.”- Rae Benson

2. Kagat McQuillen Sacramento State University ∙ US Fish and Wildlife Service ∙ Fisher Field Technician Northern Sierra Nevada Fisher Translocation Project A major goal of the translocation is to document and understand rates of fisher survival, reproduction, and the habitat requirement of fishers in the Northern Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascades. Kagat’s field work consisted of small mammal trapping, vegetation plots, non-invasive monitoring, as well as radio telemetry. There findings allows them to look at the fisher’s living behaviors and the areas they’ve been roaming. This experience is helping him realize the various different opportunities of careers available in environmental and biological fields through hands-on work experience. Kagat has also realized that he’s become a better critical thinkerand was able to apply classroom knowledge to actual field work. Yurok Tribe “The KBTYP helps native youth become closer affiliated in the fields of natural resources.” – Kagat McQuillen