Jasmin Carrillo and Emily Fisher are not only roommates and classmates; they’re teammates.
The two senior Environmental Science majors conducted complementary Field Period® experiences over the summer, identifying and reporting the location of invasive plants for the state’s Invasive Species Strike Team.
Horticultural interlopers like common buckthorn, Oriental bittersweet, and Morrow’s honeysuckle didn’t stand a chance as Jasmin and Emily – citizen scientists, as they were categorized – patrolled nature walks and hiking trails near their respective New York homes of Buffalo and Hudson Falls.
Armed with a laptop and a keen eye, the pair would identify “non-native invasives,” Jasmin said. They would then take images of the species and mark the location on a geographic information system (GIS).
“Then I would write any comments about it,” said Jasmin. “Like how far the spread is, and if there are any other invasives nearby.”
The information was routed into a state database called NY iMapInvasives.
“I was very thorough,” Jasmin added. “I collected over 700 points.”
While Jasmin scoured suburban walking trails in Erie County, Emily used an app called AllTrails to locate paths in the rural areas near Lake George. Using identification apps, guides, and booklets, she quickly familiarized herself with the area’s unwelcome vegetation.
“After this project, I became very familiar with the invasives,” Emily said.
For state agencies like the Department of Environmental Conservation, the information collected is vital.
“They take that information and they can use it to get rid of all these problem invasives. They know exactly where it is, because it takes your GPS coordinates when you map them into the app. … It’s like ‘Ghostbusters,’ but for plants.”
“Where there are minimal impacts, that’s where they would focus on removing the threat,” said Jasmin. “Once a species is widespread, it’s very difficult to get rid of it.”
Also now difficult to get rid of: the habit of identifying invasive species in nature.
“Walking trails is very different now,” said Jasmin. “Whereas before I’d just see plant, plant, plant. Now I see the name of the species. Oh, that one’s invasive. This one’s native. This one’s protected.”
Jasmin said the experience has her reconsidering her career options.
“When I first came to Keuka College, I had the thought of going into water conservation. But with doing this Field Period, I found more of an interest in surveying like how I did here: Plant identification. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I would love to be out in the field. I don’t want to be confined to one space. I want to get my hands dirty.”
That’s yet another thing the roommates/classmates/teammates have in common.
“This really solidified for me that I am not the type of person that wants to be indoors for my job – I’m not an office type,” said Emily, who is eyeing a career in environmental conservation. “I like being outside and seeing different things, where not every day is the same.”
Having been directed to the Field Period placements by their advisor, Instructor of Biology Gylla MacGregor, and inducted together last year into Chi Beta Phi, a national honor society that focuses on science and mathematics, seniors Emily and Jasmin are enjoying their parallel tracks toward graduation.
And with similar career goals, they may even remain teammates in the years to come.
“I hope so,” said Emily.
Forge Your Own Trail to Succes
Interested in a career where your office is the great outdoors? Explore Keuka College’s degree program in Environmental Sciences.
