The Moment

During a recent field check, I came across an unusual sight. Dock was growing abundantly alongside Mormon tea. Typically, these two plants do not thrive in the same environment; one prefers wet soils, while the other thrives in drier conditions. The presence of dock is a clear indicator of an area that retains water and is highly disturbed. Most remarkably dock is the most common weed across the US. One thing about Mormon tea is that you have female and male plants. The male plants take root in drier areas, while the female plants take root in wetter areas. At this site, you have both dry and wet conditions. The cones the females produce are often distributed by rodents. To see which rodents and determine which sex these plants would be amazing.

Why am I sharing this? To my surprise, the state biologist within the agency I work for was unable to identify dock. At that moment, I found myself stepping into an unexpected position of expertise, one that wasn’t necessarily mine to claim due to the chain of command. However, it was a moment where my knowledge and experience stood out.

I am grateful for the mentorship of Willa Finley and for the eight years, I spent as a wildlife biologist, monitoring 3,200 acres every month. That mentoring and time taught me how plants respond to their environment to all the way to how long-dormant seeds can emerge when conditions align just right.

In that moment in the field, I chose to speak up. I know my plants. I take pride in knowing that I know my plants.

Plants are fundamental indicators of weather patterns and land management practices. They reveal the history of a landscape, whether it has been nurtured or neglected. If allowed to monitor this site for a year, I am confident I could determine why these two seemingly opposing plants are thriving side by side, and likely which rodents are distributing their seeds. Who knows maybe no males exist at this site and it is all-girl tea plants. Girl power! I love answering questions like this through research.

Women in any professional field, if you know your expertise, do not remain silent. Speak up, regardless of hierarchy. Do not let the fear of disrupting the status quo hold you back. Knowledge is power. Own it, use it, and let it shine.

May you be inspired.