Postcards from the Field: Andrew Sommerville

Shell Conservation Intern Andrew Sommerville

Hello Everyone,

My name is Andrew Sommerville, and I am a fourth year Environmental Science student from the University of Lethbridge.   I have been having an amazing summer working as a Shell Conservation Planning Intern where I am gaining first hand experience in Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis by assisting the Science and Conservation Planning department for NCC’s Alberta Region. 

I’ve been involved with many exciting projects so far this summer, including the development of Natural Area Conservation Plans for areas of ecological significance.  These plans identify the key components of Alberta’s ecological landscape that hold the highest conservation value.  This allows NCC staff to decide how to best allocate their valuable resources and efforts.  Using GIS analysis I’ve helped to create natural area spatial calculations, species occurrence lists, biodiversity target maps, conservation threat maps and an upgraded file of all NCC properties within the province.  I am excited that, as the summer progresses, I will be visiting some of the properties and natural areas that I have been helping to create plans for.  By visiting the properties, I will also learn new methods for verifying our computer-generated results in the field.

Harris -Palmer Property in the Bow-Montane Natural Area (an example of a Natural Area where I have been working on GIS and project planning)

I can’t believe the amount of knowledge I have gained in such a short amount of time and how valuable and versatile my newly learned skills will be in my pursuit of a career in conservation.  It is really great to apply concepts and techniques learned in school to a working conservation strategy.  It is also wonderful to realize that my efforts are actually helping to protect some of Alberta’s most precious and pristine habitats and ecosystems.

Andrew Sommerville