Seasonal Aquatics Biologist at Poseidon Environmental Ltd. in Hinton, AB
For my first work term as a NRC co-op student, I am working with Poseidon Environmental LTD in the foothills of the Rockies, Hinton, Alberta. This summer has been truly eye opening as I have learned some amazing things about local fish, fish habitats, eDNA practices, electrofishing and methods of constructing culverts and bridges that provide for safe fish passage. My main roles as an Aquatics Biologist include conducting fish habitat assessments, stream crossing inspections, assisting with electrofishing, turbidity monitoring at stream construction sites, and eDNA sampling and processing. My work involves a lot of travelling to reach the sites that require inspections and assessments, and this has allowed me to venture deep into the foothills and see some beautiful sceneries and wildlife!
As the summer has progressed, I have learned a lot about the inner workings of the Forestry and Oil and Gas industries, and just how many precautions these companies we contract for take to limit impacts on wildlife (especially fish). I’ve also learned how to be confident and comfortable working alone in the wilderness (despite encountering multiple bears a week) and practice wildlife safety. Joining co-op shows you just how many different spheres are intertwined within the field of Forestry, and allows you to venture out and explore some cool opportunities that you may have never thought of or considered before starting your career in Forestry!
Join this free webinar hosted by the UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and Federal University of Parana, taking place March 21st at 3:00pm.
Junior Environmental Analyst at Environment and Climate Change Canada in Richmond, BC
For my final work term, I returned to my position at Environment and Climate Change Canada as a Junior Environmental Analyst. I worked in the Canadian Wildlife Service under the Priority Sectors Initiative. As a Junior Environmental Analyst, I was involved with the Agriculture and Urban Development Sector team and worked on federal initiatives related to Natural Climate Solutions. I also provided administrative support to nuanced processes to my team throughout the co-op term. I was able to apply my knowledge from my previous work terms and coursework which have bolstered my confidence in fulfilling my tasks and responsibilities. I am very grateful for the supportive work environment that fosters a community of care. This work term I have gained invaluable insight into working in the Public Sector and look forward to working at the federal level upon graduation.
This summer I have been working on educating people around Vancouver about Species at Risk, conservation efforts and research at various Parks Canada locations as well as leading the public to foster a deeper connection to the natural world around. This position allowed me to grow as a communicator and interpreter. I learned how to simplify complex environmental topics and use creative methods to engage stakeholders in important conversations about nature and science. Thanks to co-op with Parks Canda, my passion for conservation became a tool to inspire people of all ages to become environmental stewards in their community. I would recommend co-op with Parks Canada to anyone who wants to gain valuable experience with science communication and work alongside like-minded and passionate people who strive to protect, preserve and present natural and cultural heritage of Canada.
For my first co-op term, I am working with Parks Canada as a part of the Urban Outreach team here in Vancouver. Through this position, I have worked alongside many of the Parks Canada field units (e.g., Banff/Jasper) to spread knowledge on their conservation goals to diverse audiences across Metro Vancouver. As a Conservation student, this opportunity has been a unique government perspective on national conservation efforts and has allowed me to expand greatly on my presentation and communication skills teaching me to be adaptable to whoever my audience may be and to answer any of their questions on the fly. Some of the topics I specialized in included forest health + benefits of forest fires, a variety of species at risk, marine conservation, aquatic invasive species, and more! The content I learned through my courses has prepared me greatly for this opportunity and being a student for the Government of Canada has opened many more opportunities for me moving forward.
Lead Creel Technician at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in Mill Creek, WA
This fall, I have continued working with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. I am now working as the Lead Creel Technician on the Snohomish creel team. It has been an eventful fall with an early closure of the Coho salmon fishery on the Stillaguamish River, but the creel team has been adapting and finding other rivers to monitor and projects to work on. As a Lead Creel Technician, I helped train new creel technicians who joined the team in September, and I continue to answer questions and direct other technicians. My main job responsibility is to conduct interviews of anglers on the river to determine angler effort, catch rate, and harvest rate of species such as Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, and Steelhead trout. I have also been helping my supervisor analyze data from previous and present fisheries, which directly impacts management decisions. I learned so much from my previous co-op term with WDFW, and I am excited to continue learning this fall.
Farmed Animal Research Co-op at Ministry of Agriculture and Food in Victoria, BC
During this work term I worked for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food in the Corporate Policies and Priorities Branch. Throughout this experience I’ve been able to work with a diverse group of people with all different backgrounds in education and experiences on a project under the Ministry. I’ve been able pick up skills in writing briefing notes, researching, organizing meetings and communicating effectively.
Co-op has definitely been the highlight of my university experience as it has provided me with opportunities to network and gain on the job skills that wouldn’t otherwise me available to me. I really cherished this co-op experience working with the Ministry and look forward to my next co-op!
Climate Action Outreach Coordinator at Langley Environmental Partners Society in Langley, BC
In this summer, I worked at Langley Environmental Partners Society. As a climate ambassador, I mainly did public outreach. We conduct door-to-door landowner contact to educate residents on sustainable water restriction and alternative transportation strategy made by the Township of Langley. I promoted climate action messages to the public by attending a variety of events throughout the summer. In addition, I investigate opportunities for future school and community outreach programming, including report writing. At last, I assisted with the coordination of climate action workshops.
The reason why we did is that we share sustainability information and encourage the adoption of new behaviors to reduce climate impacts. The WaterWise program is an initiative of the Township of Langley’s Water Resource Management Strategy in order to informed residents about the importance of local groundwater resources, and providing practical ways to conserve and protect our supply.
Theoretically, LEPS is my first job in my life. Also, working in LEPS is one of my best choices in my life, which teach me a basic understanding of environmental area and motivate me to imagine what I can change for the world climate in the future. Solving climate problems is a complex and long process. Through door to door and announcement for public people that we did in this summer, it is just the beginning to make people sense the seriousness of climate and collect surveys data and awareness. The leaders who may be government, company and even some persons need to publish a serious of measures and policies to take public people together to make a progress. It is an unforgettable, unbelievable and meaningful summer term for me. I am so proud of what I did in this summer.
Assistant Forest Carbon Policy Analyst at Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in Vancouver, BC
For my summer Co-op term, I continue my time with the Climate Action Secretariat (CAS) at the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. My term centers around the B.C. Forest Carbon Offset Protocol (FCOP). It establishes project requirements for forest carbon offset projects. I have been supporting the drafting of the FCOP quantification section. This work term is a significant learning experience for me in multiple ways. For example, I examined forest carbon potential from policy and economic perspectives. It helped me narrow down and plan my future paths. There are amazing people within and across Ministries. I chat with many of them and learn many things, ranging from technical work to career paths. Another exciting part of this term is to bring my academic interests in forest carbon to professional work.
For me, Co-op is a valuable opportunity to try and grow. Knowing how classroom knowledge (e.g., disturbances) can be applied in various fields is exciting and helpful to help me, as a student, consider my future path. Working as a Co-op could present challenges that may not occur in school. Overcoming them with the support from my team helped me grow significantly. I feel fortunate to join a very supportive and motivated team!
