FEATURED STORY
Grand Canyon National Park
Bianca (McIntyre) Klein '01, Environmental Protection Specialist
BY MIA CROSS M'03
Colorado River
Bianca Klein ’01 works daily at Grand Canyon National Park from her home office in Gardiner, Mont., a small community at the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. As an environmental protection specialist, she facilitates the environmental compliance process to ensure that government, park concessioner and park partner projects don’t negatively impact park natural or cultural resources or the visitor experience.
One might think that teleworking for one of the most scenic national parks in the world would be disappointing. Klein disagrees. “Although the remote aspects of the job can be isolating, we live in a beautiful area with more recreational opportunities than we have time for, so I can’t complain.”
She gets the opportunity to travel to the Grand Canyon several times a year for site visits to learn about proposed projects as well. “During my two years with the Grand Canyon, I have been fortunate to float the upper section of the Colorado River that runs through the park with a team in support of the Colorado River Management Plan, and to hike ‘Rim to Rim’ to visit Phantom Ranch to learn about new projects there. Those days on the job will undoubtedly remain in the highlight reel of my National Park Service career.”
Klein admitted people are very curious about her job and adventures. “Many people wonder how I luck out with these opportunities, both professionally and personally. Life is short, and as someone who enjoys travel, I always have an adventure on the horizon to look forward to.”
Klein is also not afraid of volunteering her time or lending a hand when needed.
Klein assisting with archeology field work in Yellowstone National Park. Photo credit Bridgette Case Guild.
Klein credits several foundational lab courses at FSU in botany, ornithology and herpetology as requirements for her major in wildlife and fisheries with helping her to hone her wildlife identification skills. These courses also led to paid and unpaid opportunities between semesters at Assateague Island National Seashore on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. “During the school year, I also sought out opportunities with FSU graduate students that gave me additional experience in the field of wildlife biology,” she said.
Klein encourages students to take every volunteer opportunity that comes their way so that they can figure out what they really enjoy.
“I lived on beans and rice that first summer interning at Assateague, but it was worth the very meager salary just to experience working at a park,” recalled Klein. “I’d also encourage those who aspire to go into wildlife and fisheries to broaden their search wider than just the National Park Service as the competition is fierce for those coveted positions.”
One of Klein’s goals for the future is to gain more experience with park planning. “Since the National Park Service Centennial in 2016, parks system-wide have seen a marked increase in visitation, leading to unwanted impacts on resources and crowding.” According to Klein, there is a need for more park planners and social scientists to help study visitor use patterns to inform park managers on best management practices.
She encourages anyone who is interested in working in the parks and rec field, either in person or remotely, to stop and enjoy the view, and perhaps, take the road less traveled. “Always keeping an eye out for opportunities and being willing to try new things have so far led me to some pretty amazing places.”
Klein is married to her favorite FSU study partner, Patrick Klein ’00, who works as a teacher at a small rural school in Paradise Valley, Mont. They feel lucky to call Montana their home, and enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, skiing and rafting the Yellowstone River with their two teenagers and two hunting dogs.
Klein makes a pit stop at Norris Basin overlook on her a cold commute to Yellowstone Lake. Photo credit Dan Reinhart.
Klein and partners hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim.
Klein doing field work supporting the Colorado River Management Plan team.
Klein at the halfway point of a 60-mile hike through the Thorofare - the remotest area in the lower 48 states.
Designate the Recreation and Parks Management Fund or the Wildlife and Fisheries Development Fund to support future opportunities for students in these programs at www.frostburg.edu/makeagift.
