Postcards from the Field: Kate Nesbitt

Shell Conservation Intern Kate Nesbitt

Greetings from Alberta!

The past two months have been an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing me to combine two of my main passions; conservation of our landscapes and ecosystems and engaging with people in the environment.

I recently graduated from the Environmental Science program at the University of Lethbridge and was very excited to head out into the workforce as a Shell Conservation Intern with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). Growing up in Alberta, I have acquired a love for this province and this summer has further deepened my true appreciation for the wide range of landscapes and ecosystems that occur here.

From the unique uplands of Cypress Hills, west through the prairies to the Rocky Mountains and up to the boreal parkland region of Alberta, I have been fortunate to explore many diverse areas of Alberta. As the Conservation Volunteers Coordinator Intern, I am fortunate to be involved in contributing to the survival of species and habitats while engaging volunteers in priority stewardship actions and providing these volunteers with meaningful and educational experiences. Whether taking down a fence to improve wildlife habitat, pulling weeds to protect native plants from invasive species or performing species counts, important stewardship actions are taking place in pristine settings, surrounded by a wealth of like-minded people who are passionate about the environment.

I love my job because I believe this program is critical to achieving NCC's ultimate goal of protecting the biodiversity of our country. Connecting people with the environment and engaging them in the act of conservation not only provides education, but also a tie to the land, thus leading to a greater respect and determination for protection of species and their habitats.

The Shell Conservation Interns Program and the Nature Conservancy of Canada has given me a great opportunity to move from the educational setting to real world conservation initiatives, furthering my skills and commitment to conservation education and outreach. I look forward to see where my path leads from here and hope to see you out there!

Kate Nesbitt