Environmental Student Consultant; Urban Systems
As an Environmental Student Consultant with Urban Systems in Kamloops, BC, I have been introduced to the world of consulting and a wide range of projects. I have a balanced schedule of office work and field work. Some field work include bird nest surveys, badger den surveys, amphibian salvages, water quality testing, and environmental monitoring construction works. One particularly rewarding experience was obtaining my electrofishing certification and using this technique to salvage hundreds of fish including juvenile rainbow trout, coho salmon, Chinook salmon, suckers, dace, and lampreys. My field work has also brought me all over BC including Lillooet, Merritt, and Vernon.
My desktop work has been equally beneficial to my learning as I write Environmental Management Reports, conduct species-at-risk searches, fill out funding applications for clients, and gain knowledge on legislation requirements for various projects.
This co-op has given me the opportunity to work closely with federal agencies like DFO, Local Government, and Indigenous communities to understand their perspectives and integrate them into environmental planning and assessment processes. Some clients I have worked with include Penticton Indian Band, Simpcw First Nation, Skeetchestn Indian Band, Whispering Pines / Clinton Indian Band, the City of Merritt, and the City of Cranbrook.
I’m eagerly looking forward to continuing this co-op into the fall term and observing how the nature of the projects evolves with the changing seasons.