FORT PECK, Mont. – Meet Patricia Gilbert-Ball, a natural resources specialist who has worked 26 years for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the last 22 years of service at the Fort Peck Project in Montana. She is the project’s acting chief of natural resources and manages vegetation throughout the project to include invasive species, native plant restoration, pollinator plants, wildlife enhancements and forest management. Additionally, she manages the 230-acre Leo. B Coleman Wildlife Pasture that is currently home to 19 bison as well as two recreational areas and multiple other real estate and natural resources programs.
She is also the district’s only beekeeper and has been instrumental in developing the Bee Haven Pollinator Garden and Interpretive Trail, which is scheduled for completion in 2026. This area currently includes 32 planting pods with 19 tree species, 30 shrub species, 2 cactus species, 12 grass species and 70 species of perennial flowers.
Patricia is originally from Oklahoma, and when not at work, she enjoys spending time with her spouse, family and pets, which just happen to be bees who live in the three beehives she tends to at home.
What does Patricia recommend when visiting Fort Peck?
“Taking a stroll in the pollinator garden to see what’s in bloom and how many different species of insects you can see foraging each species of flowering plants; Taking a drive around the bison pasture to see how many calves are in the pasture; hunting around Timber Creek on the north portion of the lake; and hiking the badlands on the big dry arm of the lake.”
What does Patricia like most about working at Fort Peck?
“My co-workers and I get the opportunity to be responsible for projects that I am passionate about: managing bad plants, promoting good plants, pollinators and bee keeping, growing good things and playing in the dirt.”
To learn more about what USACE park rangers and natural resources specialists do, visit https://www.usace.army.mil/Careers/Career-Fields/. To view USACE park ranger job opportunities, visit https://www.usajobs.gov/.
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Herd Highlight is a series of employee spotlights showcasing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District employees and how they help engineer solutions for the nation’s toughest challenges. The Omaha District employs more than 1,300 people across 10 states who specialize in engineering, design, and environmental science, including biologists, physical scientists, geologists, hydrologists, and others. Individuals interested in Omaha District careers can #JoinOurHerd by visiting https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Careers/ to learn more.