Postcards from the Field: Amy Nixon

Shell Conservation Intern Amy Nixon

Hi!

My name is Amy Nixon.  I am thrilled to be working as a Shell Conservation Intern with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in the Alberta region this summer. 

I recently completed my Ecology degree at the University of Calgary and, since I am a born-and-raised Calgarian, I am looking forward to spending my summer exploring the wonderful natural landscapes that Alberta has to offer!  So far I have been working primarily in the foothills where many wildflowers are starting to bloom and I’m seeing a wide variety of bird species.  I have already seen several Great Blue Herons!  I really enjoy working outside, even when there was snow on the ground from the spring snowstorm we had in southern Alberta in May!

Turner Valley, AB

While working as a Shell Conservation Intern this summer, I hope to develop my skills as a naturalist.  I am most excited about improving my ability to identify birds by song, and about becoming more familiar with the diversity of wildflowers and shrubs along the Rocky Mountain Front.  This opportunity is also allowing me a first-hand look at how landscape-scale conservation can happen and is happening across the country.  I am inspired by the efforts of all the people I work with at NCC who strive to ensure that our beautiful landscapes remain intact. 

In the future, I hope to attend graduate school to earn a Master’s degree in a field related to Conservation Biology.  I’m sure my experience as a Shell Conservation Intern will be invaluable both for the opportunity to contribute to conservation in Canada and because of the strong naturalist skills I am developing.

 I can’t wait to explore Alberta for the rest of the summer!

-Amy Nixon