OCR Text |
Show 12 ST. GEORGE — For the week of September 19, 2008 NEIGHBORHOODS The Spectrum — www.thespectrum.com Wildlife biologist enjoys fulfillment of ' mystery’ career BY BOB HUDSON an internship Bennion has been involved in. Bennion smiled, answered her ques- bhudson@thespectrum.com ST. GEORGE — As Melinda Bennion sat on a bench in front of the Santa Clara branch of the Washington County Library, a young woman approached er. Rebecca asked about tions, then returned to her story. She is a wildlife biologist with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. “People don'treally understand what we do; Bennion said. “It took my parents a while to understand’ One of Bennion’s jobs is to monitor the populations of the native fish species in the Virgin River. Although none of them are game fish, they have an important role in the ecosystem. “We're here to protect the wildlife” Bennion said. “To me it’s just seeing how all the pieces can fall together. It’s important to find a balance everyone is happy with’? TUACAHN OCP Cy ah BOUBLIL Ts and ea SCHONBERG’S os or She said a lot of people don’t realize what's down the street from them. She works with the Virgin River Project to help conserve and protect the wildlife important to the health of that ecosystem. “A lot of what the Virgin River Project has done is finding those balances to protect Call For Tickets | (877) 652-3389 | tuacahn.org and conserve our resources here, she said. “We have such a unique assemblage of species here’ Much of Bennion’s time is spent outdoors. “Tm out in the river looking at fish and seeing where they are; Bennion said with a smile. Another part of her time is spent in educational outreach, talking to junior and high school students about careers in science and about the importance of jobs such as hers. Occasionally, as she did this summer when she worked with several student interns, she is able to combine the two jobs. The biggest challenge for her and her fellow biologists? “Time is the hardest part; she said. “We have so many things we want to do’ Bennion grew up in the Ogdensuburbof Washington Terrace with her parents and one sister. “We always had lots of pets and animals around, she said. She earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Weber State where she Submitted photo Melinda Bennion is a Division of Wildlife Resources biologist who works with focused on conservation biology and ecology. “When I graduated, I was torn between being a biologist and going to vet school; she said. Her experiences on Antelope Island with a pro- native fish species Southern Utah area throughout the fessor pushed her toward becoming a biologist. “I was sticky and covered with mud every day, but I loved it? she said of the research she did that summer. So, she and her husband, where he served in the mili- Jamie, e See WILDLIFE on page 13 moved to Hawaii tary. She got a job with the National Marine Fishery Service. to sea for four to six weeks; “We would go she |