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Caribbean Engineer, Gabriel Roman, provides survey training to Pathways students in Anasco, PR, 12 July 2021.

Pathways Survey Training in Aibonito, PR

Caribbean Engineer, Gabriel Roman, leads on the job Survey Training for Pathways students in Aibonito, PR, on 12 July 2021.

Part of our NRCS mission is to train the next generation of conservationists. To that end, Pathways students interning across the country met on July 12, 2021, at Finca Tres Vidas in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, to participate in a Survey Training led by NRCS Caribbean Engineers Gabriel Román, Celys Irizarry and José Serrano. The training was held to familiarize the Pathways students with the engineering equipment most frequently used when planning conservation practices. The Pathways students were split into teams to rotate through three stations to complete activities where they learned how to use a Laser Level, a Total Station and a Virtual Reference Station (VRS). They were also able to learn how to take bathymetry data measurements of the pond on the farm. All the data acquired by the students will be used by engineer Roman to determine if the original pond design has been well maintained or if the spillway, pond and embankment will require repairs to ensure a safe design.

NRCS is committed to providing quality training and enriching experiences to our Pathways student interns to help these young professionals sharpen their skill sets. It was also a great opportunity for the students to interact with each other and create future professional connections. We are glad to be hosting these driven and charismatic Pathways students for the summer and to be part of their development process.

Pathways Participants

  • Angel Padilla Rivera, Soil Conservationist
  • Sullyam Colón Maldonado, Soil Conservationist
  • Miguel Colón Santiago, Engineer
  • Nanette Torres Montanez, Engineer
  • Anthony Mendez Alicea, Soil Scientist
  • Anthony Arroyo Soto, Engineer
  • Jorge Santana Torres, Engineer
  • Giancarlo Medina Gonzalez, Engineer
  • Mariemines Ortiz Torres, Soil Conservationist
  • Gustavo Díaz Torres, Soil Conservationist
  • Kamila A. Colón Reyes, Soil Conservationist

NRCS Trainers

  • Gabriel Román, Engineer
  • Celys Irizarry, Engineer
  • José Serrano, Engineer
  • Christian Vargas, Soil Conservationist
  • Abiud Mulero, Soil Conservation Technician
Left to right: Pathways intern Sullyam Colón-Maldonado uses the total station to locate the prism; Pathways interns Gustavo Díaz and Angel Padilla use the VRS to determine the points of interest of the spillway; Pathways intern Kamila Colón and Soil Conservationist Christian Vargas take pond bathymetry data with a prism.
Left to right: Pathways intern Sullyam Colón-Maldonado uses the total station to locate the prism; Pathways interns Gustavo Díaz and Angel Padilla use the VRS to determine the points of interest of the spillway; Pathways intern Kamila Colón and Soil Conservationist Christian Vargas take pond bathymetry data with a prism.

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