Laurie Thorpe is a natural resource specialist in the Anchorage District Office, with a focus on vegetation, grazing, and invasive species. Based on current science and field conditions, Laurie makes recommendations to BLM program managers about the prevention, management, and monitoring of non-native invasive species and sustainable ecosystems in land use decisions.

In Alaska, land use includes an interesting and unique twist – reindeer grazing. Laurie works with interagency partners and the Alaska Reindeer Council to promote responsible use of the land and success in the reindeer industry for local residents. According to Laurie, the BLM’s partnership with the University of Alaska, in particular, provides a stellar team of scientists and interns to conduct field work and collect data for informed decisions about the industry.

With such unique work, it’s not difficult to see why “reindeer work” is Laurie’s favorite part of the job. She says: “In addition to building trust in our working relationships with reindeer herders and our inter-agency partners…I am making a difference for industry success.”