BSCN – Parks Canada, Vancouver, BC
For my first co-op term, I have had the incredible opportunity to work for Parks Canada’s Vancouver Outreach Team. This summer has been a very unique learning experience due to the modifications the team has endured due to COVID-19. Although many challenges were met to navigate through the pandemic, I have learned so much about flexibility and creativity. Our team has worked incredibly hard to continue delivering interpretation work in a safe manner. For example, in the month of August, I got the opportunity to do deliver physically distanced in-person programs on-site at the Vancouver Aquarium. I talked to the public about Sea Gardens and the importance of their cultural and historical connections to the Coast Salish First Nations Peoples, about river piracy and climate change, as well as a Species-at-Risk called Westslope Cutthroat Trout.
Some of my other work was to create a program for BC Ferries on Cetaceans to be recorded virtually for their social media channels and to film a program on park clean-up for Science World’s Nature Now online video series. I have also had an amazing time partnering with associations such as Canucks Autism Network, Power to Be, and The Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria to train and develop programs.
I have had such a wonderful summer fostering the public’s understanding and appreciation of Canada’s culture and history and hope that I have inspired folks as much as I have been inspired.
