Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Pederson.
Hi Sierra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Southern California and graduated with my BS in zoology from Colorado State University when I was 20. I started my career working in riparian restoration and was trained as a sawyer with American Conservation Experience in Hurricane, Utah.
While working with the conservation corps, I was lucky enough to camp all over the state of Utah while removing invasive plant species and building trails. Since then, I have focused on raptor biology and endangered species management.
Though I currently run a wildlife rehab center in Idaho, I spent the last two years tracking condors in Arizona and Utah. As a condor biologist, you get to know every bird in the population as an individual. You are tracking them through canyons, watching them from blinds, and trapping them on top of plateaus.
I am so grateful for all of the animals I have had the pleasure of working with, but condors are by far my favorite. It helps that they live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Working in natural resource management is an incredible career, but you have to work seasonally, move around constantly, and live off of very meager wages. Having to pick up and move every few months means you are always making new friends and establishing your new community.
You also become an expert at being poor. I have worked multiple jobs where I only make $400 a month. Dumpster diving and expired food become your normal. With all of that being said, I wouldn’t trade this career for the world.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently manage Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary which is a small non-profit rehabilitation center in McCall, ID. We receive over 100 injured and orphaned animals from all over Idaho every year. I also have multiple glove-trained raptors that I take out to schools and fundraisers with the hope of teaching the community about human-wildlife conflict.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe that calculated risks are worth taking. I am a rock climber and I enjoy the level of focus that comes with being 5 ft above your last clip and knowing that if you slip you are going to take one gnarly whip. Every time I move to a new place for my next job I am taking a risk because I have no idea what I’m getting into.
These risks have led to some unbelievable experiences in life. With that being said, you are not going to see me BASE jumping any time soon! I don’t believe that I seek out risk in life, but I am not afraid of discomfort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://snowdonwildlifesanctuary.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snowdonwildlife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snowdonwidlife
