Northern Spotted Owl Co-op Student – British Columbia Conservation Foundation
This summer, I am continuing at the Northern Spotted Owl Breeding Program where I have been working since January. This year, we had a record-breaking breeding season with 12 new chicks joining our program, almost double our previous record!
With the busy breeding season coming to an end, we have been shifting our focus to expanding the breeding centre by constructing aviaries and maintaining the property. This includes building roost boxes, installing branches, predator-proofing, planting native plants, building mouse arenas for enrichment, and graveling paths. I have also been continuing daily animal husbandry tasks, such as feeding and cleaning, and have been enjoying watching the fledglings grow.
With the help of my amazing supervisors, I have been able to gain invaluable experience and knowledge in conservation breeding, and step foot into what my future career could look like. The Co-op program has also been extremely supportive throughout this experience, providing guidance and support during the transition into a new workplace. I highly recommend the Co-op program to students who want to gain experience in the field, as they provide so many opportunities and support you every step of the way.