It’s not just about conserving what we see now—it’s about understanding the land’s story

Guest post by Clemson student Mia Bonfili

The Bobcat Fire began on September 2, 2020, about seven miles southeast of Roundup in Musselshell County, Montana. It had been fueled by dry grass, untreated meadows and high winds which caused the fire to spread quickly, ultimately burning over 30,000 acres of rangeland and forest. The fire crossed major roads, including Highway 87, complicating containment efforts. This fire left a lasting impression on the community and the land itself. The Bobcat Fire remains one of the most destructive wildfires in Musselshell County’s recent history. This fire is the focal point of the fieldwork the group had been conducting over the last week and half, understanding the effects of different preventive treatments in various unburned and burned areas. Fire used to be seen as only dangerous (and sometimes it still is, some still refusing to even use the tactic) but now we know it’s a natural and important part of the ecosystem. Instead of trying to stop all fires, we need to continue to learn how to manage them. Many scientists and researchers help by studying the land, using controlled burns, and thinning forests to reduce the risk of big, destructive fires.

Following that, in the final section of the class, we explored fire ecology with Dr. Hagan, expanded our vegetation sampling, and discussed both the environmental impacts of fire and how fire tells its own story through the trees. Dr. Hagan explained that each scar within the ring of a tree tells its own story, specifically the age of the tree. Some of the stumps we found dated all the way back to the 1800s, with multiple different fire scars with overgrowth around each. It was hard to wrap your mind around the fact that a single tree could carry centuries of history in its rings.

These experiences throughout the last 3 days forced me to reflect on what sustainability means in the West. It’s not just about conserving what we see now—it’s about understanding the land’s story, the people who depend on it, and the ways that humans and nature continue to interact with each other, just as I brought up in my first reflective essay.

Additionally, we were given the opportunity to observe a local veterinarian administering BANG vaccinations to the Frost family’s cattle and gained hands-on experience working with the herd. These vaccinations are super important because they help prevent brucellosis, a contagious disease that can cause serious reproductive problems in cattle and can even be transmitted to humans in some cases. This experience allowed the group insight into the intersection of livestock health, and what it takes to work with the cattle. As someone aspiring to pursue a career in large animal medicine, experiences like this are incredibly meaningful to me and having the opportunity to talk to the veterinarian I am beyond grateful for. While we were there, a lot of ranchers talked about how hard it is to find veterinarians, especially for livestock. Because of this, many people who work with the animals have learned to handle a lot of issues on their own. It’s a similar situation in South Carolina—more vets are retiring, and it’s getting harder to find large animal specialists. I hope to help fill that gap one day.

After seeing all of this firsthand, I feel even more motivated to pursue a career in large animal medicine and help meet the needs of both animals and the people who care for them. It also showed me how important it is to adapt to the land and stay informed about conservation practices, even those involving things once feared, like fire.