After 9 months in the canyon, it’s crazy to think that next week will be my last week here! I have had such a great experience working and living here. The people have been wonderful and the project influential. Our discoveries throughout the duration of...
Even the most amazing projects can become less fun if you’re not working with the right people. Lucky for me, my mentor Meag is one of the most incredible humans I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. When I first arrived at the Grand Canyon,...
As a vegetation intern, I’ve spent most of my time learning about a few of the over 1,700 known plant species found at the Grand Canyon. With an elevation gain of almost 6,000ft from the river to the North Rim, the canyon is able to...
Sentry milk-vetch (SMV) is the Grand Canyon’s endangered plant species, and as of now it is only known to be at 12 locations on the South and North Rim. The populations on both rims face similar threats from climate change and trampling. Biologists in the...
The unofficial motto for the vegetation department at Grand Canyon is Over The Edge Veg! Which is perfect for my project with Sentry Milk-vetch since it only grows within 25 feet of the rim. Unfortunately, we will not be propelling down the side of the...
Astragalus cremnophylax, also known as Sentry milk-vetch or SMV, is a perennial herb in the pea family, Fabaceae. The name cremnophylax means “gorge watchman,” which makes it the perfect name for SMV because this plant only grows within 25 feet of the rim, often right...
Hello! I’m Sasha Escamilla and I’m from San Diego, California. When I am home, one of my favorite weekend activities is going to the beach with my dog. I graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills in May 2020 with a BS in Biology with...