What’s an important skill to have in our field?

Ask A Biologist Monday 9/18/23

Answers from Biologists:

• Map skills and orienteering.

• Driving a manual vehicle.

• Knowing how to get trucks unstuck from mud, sand, etc.

• First aid

• Pooping in the woods.

• Plant ID

• Navigation

• Carpentry/general building and repair skills

• Writing-both technical and science communication

• Observational skills

• Patience

• Compass skills-can save your life if a GPS fails

• 4x4 driving

• Vehicle/gear maintenance

• Ability to sit and focus on computers

• Willingness to learn

• Resilience

• Appreciation of the day in the field even if you don’t get/find what you want/need

• Adaptability-things will change while working in the field so being able to handle that is important.

• A good sense of direction.

• Adaptability-fieldwork never goes as planned.