Wildlife cameras provide close-ups of bighorn sheep
Afton Canyon is known locally as the “Grand Canyon of the Mojave”. It not only has impressive geological formations, but it is one of the few places where the Mojave River flows above ground all year. Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) are one of the wildlife species that use this area. MDLT’s Women in Science Discovering Our Mojave (WISDOM) program is helping the Bureau of Land Management provide a range of recreational access in Mojave Trails National Monument, while also ensuring the well-being and protection of wildlife and other sensitive resources.
The bighorn sheep is famously elusive. Interns hope to understand its movement
Every few weeks, Alejandra Lopez leaves her home in Long Beach, CA to drive 3.5 hours to join an all-female research team collecting scientific data on the bighorn sheep in the Mojave Desert.
The women tracking bighorn sheep in the Mojave
According to UNESCO, women comprise only 30% of the world’s scientists. In the U.S., that number is slightly higher at 43%. However, women comprise only 33% of environmental scientists in the U.S. Representation is important in all aspects of our diverse nation. The scientific community is growing and needs to reflect the diversity of the American population. MDLT’s WISDOM program aims to help engage women in STEM fields by conducting scientific research, both in the field and in the office.