I work at a natural reserve—ask me anything!
Hey! I’m new here and I think this place is awesome. I work at a natural reserve in my country and a friend recommended I join to share some of my experiences. So go ahead, ask me whatever comes to mind! Don’t hold back—silly questions, personal ones, weird or random stuff—everything’s welcome. Let’s get curious, friends.
What's your favorite dinosaur?
Obviously the Pteranodon, they're very cool and they fly. They probably smell like lemon.
What are some common misconceptions about working at a natural reserve?
That you're constantly taking care of the animals and plants. Most of the time I'm filling out registration forms, guiding tourists along the trails, and helping them. Also, that those of us who do this work do so because we love nature. In my case, it's true, but the vast majority of my coworkers are simply here because they need a job. And many people think everything is peaceful, but in the country I live in, being in an area like this one I work in can be risky, especially as a woman.
What does your typical day look like? And how does an absolutely bonkers day look like?
A typical day starts off pretty routinely. I arrive at the reserve at the main cabin where we have all our gear. I change into my current clothes and dress appropriately for work.All day long, I give tours to tourists who come to the reserve. I help them climb, hike, and extend their campsites. I also have to check that no one has entered the reserve illegally, since it is a protected area.On the other hand, I spend all day reporting on the areas, reporting fires, and taking inventory of our equipment. The routine.
On a really bad day, we have a lot of tour groups. Especially from schools and religious groups. They're difficult people to deal with, and I don't do well with large groups.The country where I live has an internal armed conflict, so from time to time I have to deal with guerrillas who cross the area to gain their positions and influence. Sometimes they get aggressive. But they are usually kind despite being public enemies of the state.And then there are the days when someone gets lost. I've had 24-hour shifts because someone decided to get lost in the woods. Don't get me wrong, it's part of my job, but it's stressful and demands a lot from us.
In which biome is the reserve? Any special plants or animals that caught your eye yet?
I live in a country located in the Andes mountain range. Therefore, I have had the privilege of seeing species like the spectacled bear and the Andean condor. They are truly majestic species. Also some pumas.
What is your typical day like? seems like another user beat me to it. Let me ask instead: what is the most useful tool you use at work?
Intercoms and a rope. You don't know how many times I've needed rope for all sorts of situations. Also a hunting knife, it works for all sorts of situations.And a book, there's almost no phone service in the reserve, so a book helps pass the time.
Is poaching a problem where you work? If so, what do you do to counter it?
How's the pay? I'm guessing its shit, but is it below poverty line shit, or halfway decent living shit?
Poaching is a problem where I work, but with some nuances. As I mentioned in another comment, the country I live in is mired in an internal civil conflict, so guerrillas are stationed in protected areas of nature reserves and also in jungle areas where there is no state control. In the case of the place where I work, there is a guerrilla group operating nearby. Therefore, not many people come to hunt in these places for fear of being kidnapped. However, from time to time, a hunter comes. I can't do anything about that except report it to the authorities. In fact, I once tried to take action on my own and ended up beaten and abused. I don't regret anything. I hate that they hurt animals that are also in danger of extinction in this place.
As for pay, this is a third-world country. So, what you might get at my job in the United States is much more miserable here. However, that's why I have another completely remote job, where I can work from home. It's how I pay my bills.
What's your opinion of the Designated Hitter rule in Major League Baseball?
how many times have you found people banging and had to shoo them away?
More than you might imagine. It's very common for people to come and take advantage of the vegetation and the vastness of the reserve to "show each other love." It's uncomfortable for me, but I have colleagues who love doing it.In my case, I have a whistle, so I arrive like crazy making a lot of noise to scare them away.It's not a serious crime, so there's nothing else to do but remove them from the park and re-ban them.
What are things that visitors can do you your nature reserve, regardless of amount or frequency, that don't hurt/damage the reserve? As in, if 1,000,000,000 visitors showed up at your gate tomorrow and asked what they could do in your reserve that wouldn't hurt/damage the reserve, what would you tell them?
Visitors are allowed to camp in designated areas, not wherever they choose, as these are protected areas. The use of drones and loudspeakers is strictly prohibited due to the wildlife found here.People come mostly to hike, participate in spiritual retreats, and immersions with school students. Biologists and other scientists also often come to study the species in the reserve.
As for the other question, I think that A large number of visitors is impossible here, but if that were the case, I would tell them to enjoy nature and always have a guide. Many people often get lost here.
Given your occupation, what do you do for fun?
Well, like I mentioned in another answer, the phone network and internet here are sometimes non-existent. So I spend my time reading and studying topics related to biology and zoology. We also really enjoy having small get-togethers in the cabins that serve as the park's operations center. Most of us live here, so we see ourselves as a family. Every now and then, we go to a small town near the reserve to dance, have a few beers, or just hang out.
Sounds like daisy chaining uber-cheap LoRaWAN radios would be a fun hobby there 😉
How do you manage the algea and bacteria in the lakes? Like, when you see a lake that has abnormal levels of algea blooms, what do you do to remedy it?