James Perkins | Wilderness Ranger Fellow
First Impressions/Staff Training
May 16-June 3, 2022
Missoula | Lochsa Historic Ranger Station
When I first got to Missoula and the KOA campground, I met all my crewmates as everyone started to come in throughout the day, learning everyone's name, where they were from, and why they chose this job. It was refreshing and welcoming to meet like-minded people who want to help protect our National Forests and are interested in learning more about the outdoors.
We then had training at the SBFC office for a week, going through PowerPoint and learning about all the fundamental aspects we will be using everyday in our jobs. At the end of that week of learning, we packed up our gear, loaded it into cars with six days worth of food, and began our drive to the Lochsa Ranger Station, two hours away in Idaho.
Double rainbow at the Lochsa Historic Station during WRF training.
When we got to the ranger station, there was a beautiful double rainbow, and it cheered and excited all the crewmates for the upcoming week of hands-on training we had before us. We started the week by learning proper ax and crosscut saw form and technique, which was a learning curve at first, but with guidance and practice, we all were able to understand it. We all got an ax and crosscut saw certified at the end of that week and headed back to Missoula.
We are currently doing our wilderness first responder training, which has all the crewmates intrigued and engaged in learning how to take proper care of ourselves and others in wilderness medical situations.
I leave Missoula this Monday (6/6/2022) to drive to McCall, Idaho, where Bre (another Wilderness Ranger Fellow) and I will receive additional orientation from the Payette National Forest.
On Wednesday, we will be flown in by plane to Cold Meadows Guard Station in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. I am excited and anxious to get out to McCall, see what the Payette National Forest looks like, and start my hitches!
Payette National Forest | Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness
University of Wyoming
Major: Wildlife Management
James is from Charlotte, North Carolina, but has lived in Wisconsin and Chicago for a couple of years. He is an Eagle Scout and a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School and avidly hikes and camps in his free time. James is passionate about wilderness because as an undergraduate pursuing a bachelor's degree in wildlife management at University of Wyoming, he finds it important to educate himself and protect the natural environment.