Environmental Co-op with Teck Resources Limited in Hinton, AB
I spent the last 8-months working for Teck Resources Limited as an Environmental Co-op Student at their Cardinal River mine near Hinton, Alberta. The mine operated for 51 years as an open-pit metallurgical coal mine, which is high quality coal used for steel-making, before it halted operations and transitioned into closure in June of 2020. My role here was mainly split between the Environment and Reclamation teams taking on water management programs, and being the lead environmental monitor for the Harris Reclamation Project. I was responsible for water sampling and monitoring in accordance with regulatory approvals and compliance parameters. I reviewed lab results and input data for regulatory reporting to the Government of Alberta. As environmental monitor for the 7-month reclamation project, I developed the water monitoring and step-by-step replicable overburden soil sampling procedures for the project. I completed all pre- and post-contouring overburden sampling across the reclamation site and reported upon results from the lab to determine the soil suitability for cover soil spreading. I also dug over 90 soil pits to verify the depth of cover soil spread was compliant. I was responsible for granting approval for reclamation crews to rough mound verified areas. I took on smaller projects, in addition to my daily tasks, working on natural forest regeneration assessments and weed regrowth surveys on herbicide-applied areas. I was fortunate to have numerous opportunities to collaborate with consultants and third-party contractors on specialized projects and programs. A few of my favourites include, bathymetry surveys of settling ponds and end pit lakes, benthic invertebrate surveys, a Harlequin duck banding survey, and acute lethality test sampling. This work experience opened my mind to career opportunities I never thought were possible. I feel well-equipped with the industry experience I gained in this position to take on new, interesting and challenging positions post-graduation. Working at a previously operational coal mine on conservation-, environmental-, and reclamation-focused projects has changed my perspective and given me a better understanding about the role conservation plays in the natural resources sector. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working for Teck and am grateful for all the experiences I had while working and living in the Canadian Rockies.
Lab and Field Assistant with UBC Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forests and Conservation Sciences in Vancouver, BC
For my first work term, I’ve been working as a research assistant for a fuel mitigation research project in UBC’s Tree Ring Lab. The project I’m involved with has us traveling through the Kootenays and gathering data on post treatment sites so that the efficacy of various treatments can be modeled. I’ve learned how to measure tree heights, surface fuels, stumps, duff, and shrubs, pretty much everything that can burn! In the photo attached I’m triangulating plot center, the first thing we do when we arrive at a plot. This job has been an amazing opportunity to learn a lot of the basic skills that foresters use in research and timber cruising. It has been really interesting to see firsthand how we can actively manage community forests to build resiliency and move closer to a historic stand structure. My plant biology and silviculture courses have given me a fundamental understanding of our forests which has been crucial to success in my position, and it has been exciting to see what I’ve learned in the classroom in person. My journey with COOP has just begun but I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to gain technical skills, explore career paths, and take their learning outside of the classroom.
Undergraduate Student Researcher with University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC
In my fifth co-op work term, I have been assisting Professor Ignacio Barbeito in the Silviculture lab at UBC. As an Undergraduate Student Researcher in the Department of Forest Resources Management, I have been able to help with several projects. This includes a literature review, data management, and a spruce-weevil project. Being able to work in the field as well as in the office has given me many opportunities to develop both technical and transferable skills. I have learned about different data collection methods, data analysis, and how to approach different research projects. I look forward to continuing to develop my skills in this work-term and highly recommend co-op to explore and learn about all the different jobs in this field!
Sustainability Assistant with Solaires Enterprises Inc. in Victoria, BC
I had the honour of extending my position as a Sustainability Assistant at Solaires Enterprises Inc. for my 4th co-op term. Although a fully remote position, it is located in Victoria, BC. Solaires is focusing on paving the way of new solar technology by using perovskite cells for solar energy in lieu of solar panels. My position mainly focuses on sustainability initiatives of the company. Currently I am wrapping up finishing the impact report which outlines the Corporate Social Responsibilities of the company. I also work on increasing employee engagements with various employee programs like the volunteer program and the well-being program. This position not only improved my skills professionally but the ability to improve my transferable skills. I feel confident in my organizational and communication skills that will help me succeed in my future careers. I’m grateful that the UBC Forestry co-op program has given me this opportunity to work in sustainability in a corporate setting.
For my first Co-op work term, I have been working for Parks Canada as a part of the Vancouver Learn-to-camp team, which is a branch of the External Relations department in the Coastal BC field unit. My work consists of two main branches, outreach and overnights. Outreaching consists of teaching outdoor and wildlife safety, while promoting the Parks Canada brand and locations. A highlight was working several large events including the Vancouver Pride Festival and the Khatsahlano Festival. The other branch of my work is our overnight Learn-to-camp programs. They are one-night camping experiences that we provide mostly to families in various locations that serve as an introduction to camping. We provide workshops on topics such as trip planning, how to pitch a tent, and how to cook while camping. The overnights are so full of joy, and it has been so much fun seeing the participants become so passionate about learning new things, and enjoying a weekend in beautiful places. Furthermore, Parks Canada partners with different organizations such as Canucks Autism Network and Color The Trails, among others, to bring specific demographics to some of our overnights. Working with other organizations has been a joy and allowed us to elevate the quality of the overnights that we have been able to provide. This Co-op position has allowed me to learn new skills that are transferable to any future jobs that I will hold.
Assistant Forestry Technician at Strategic Natural Resource Consultants in Campbell River, BC
During the second term of my 8 month Co-op with Strategic Natural Resource Consultants, I have continued contributing to a variety of Forestry related projects. I’ve spent the majority of my time conducting forest regeneration surveys, in which I help assess the health and abundance of regenerating trees in cutblocks using statistical sampling methods. During the fire season, I assisted with thermal drone scanning of wildfires for the B.C. Wildfire Service. My main role was to use arcGIS to help make maps of wildfire hotspots collected by the drone. Other projects I have worked on include an urban forest inventory, hazard tree assessments and forest engineering. There have been challenges along the way such as trying to walk through dense, uneven and sharp terrain, with swarming mosquitos and intense heat or rainfall. But the privellage of being able to work in the beauty of B.C.’s coastal temperate forests makes up for it! The variety of work I have received with Strategic has given me a well rounded perspective of the demands of the Forestry industry and how those demands are changing over time due to factors including technological innovations such as drones and environmental factors such as flooding/drought that are shaping the policy landscape of Forestry. Thank you to the Co-op program and Strategic for providing me with this valuable learning opportunity!
Summer Camp Leader at Vancouver Botanical Gardens Associations in Vancouver, BC
This summer, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of working at VanDusen Botanical Gardens as a Camp Leader for their Summer Nature Camps. My work focuses on getting children excited about nature and facilitating a safe space for kids to explore nature’s wonders amidst the vast biodiversity of the Garden. This involves planning, preparing, and leading a summer full of engaging hands-on games, crafts, and experiments that present scientific concepts in an approachable and memorable way. Seeing the campers so curious about plants and animals and watching the lessons click for them has been very fulfilling. From plant anatomy to decomposition, to mycorrhizal networks and native trees and wildlife, this position has challenged me to use what I’ve learned in forestry courses while contributing to nature exposure, connection, and urban green space accessibility in my local community. I am grateful for the opportunity the Forestry Co-op program has helped given me to develop my professional skills and look forward to continue contributing to nature programs in parks and green spaces.
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!
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.
