Gretchen: Okay. I went to one closer to Park County, where I live, at Medicine Lodge, and I had just a fabulous time, and was so inspired, and couldn't make it the next couple of years. And so, yep, I just decided it's do or die this year. Yeah. So even though it was a long drive and the weather was sketchy, I thought, "I don't care. I'm committed."

Nancy: You made it. You were committed.

Gretchen: Yeah. And I'm glad I did.

Nancy: Do you have a background in science?

Gretchen: I do. I worked in a hospital lab, and I've always just kind of enjoyed science ever since I was a kid.

But, you know, I hang out with people that are maybe interested in one aspect. They're birders, or they're hikers and appreciate the outdoors, and I guess that's the whole thing about BioBlitz, because you're just surrounded by people that are passionate, if not about everything. Then everybody's got their little niche, and you get in the middle of these people, and you just feel inspired. And it brings out every bit of curiosity, and you don't seem like the weirdo that people look at because you're like, "Oh, look at this shiny bird egg," you know what I mean? Like, the cool things.

And here everybody embraces it, and they teach you new things, and they encourage you to think about what questions you have. And you go home, like the drive home will be so short because I'll be thinking of... I'll have all these ideas and questions swirling around.

And then if we're lucky enough to have a bad winter, and it's cold, and we're sucked in, I mean, it just gives you thousands of things to pursue, and it just gives you thousands of things to be curious about. And where do I want to... What rabbit hole do I want to go down next? So I guess that's the best thing about it.

Nancy: Have you lived in Wyoming for a while?

Gretchen: I have, for like 45 years.

Nancy: So do you think BioBlitz taps into something special about Wyoming?

Gretchen: Oh, absolutely. Just because, yeah, there are so many... Like, the fact that they move BioBlitz around every year. And there are so many diverse habitats, and yeah, I think it just helps you appreciate the beauty of the state and the contrasts and the similarities in passionate people.

And you realize in these kind of divisive, politically divisive times, it's just nice to have this commonality. And it all comes down to what you mentioned, what somebody else had said, and what I had said to somebody else. I described it too as it's like science camp for grown-ups.

And it just helps you appreciate the commonality and know that you found your tribe. Which I think for a lot of us that loves the outdoors, maybe we do feel a little bit... I mean, everybody does, but a lot of people are like hunters or fishermen or whatever, and just people that wanna embrace it all. I guess that's where it helps you feel like I've got my tribe.

Note: The transcript above has been condensed from its original audio recording to improve the flow and readability of the story.