Postcards from the Field: Caitlin Porter

Shell Conservation Intern Caitlin Porter, SCIP 2007 & 2008

I am very excited to be back for a second summer as a NCC Shell Conservation Intern. I recently graduated from the University of New Brunswick with my Bachelor of Science with honours (Environmental Biology), and I hope to pursue a career in ecology. The experiences I have and will continue to gain through working for NCC will help me pursue my future career aspirations.

Throughout the summer I will be preparing baseline reports and property management plans for NCC protected lands across Nova Scotia. This work takes me to amazing locations throughout my home province where I am able to meet with community members and conduct field work for my reports. I’ll also be helping out with the Conservation Volunteers program.

MacKinnon's Brook, Cape Mabou Highlands, Nova Scotia

My favourite NCC protected area in Nova Scotia is Sight Point at MacKinnon’s Brook, located in the Cape Mabou Highlands of Cape Breton. This property is made up of old forests of tolerant hardwood, mixed-wood forests, meadows, scree slopes, streams, forested seep wetlands and mountain-cove ecosystems. A footpath winds through the property and showcases fantastic views of the Northumberland Strait. I was fortunate enough to conduct preliminary stewardship activities at this special place last summer, and I returned this summer to complete a baseline report and write a property management plan. These documents are an important part of ensuring the conservation and stewardship of a property. This natural area has been an inspiration to several famous Nova Scotians including the author Alistair MacLeod and the musical group The Rankin Family. It has certainly been of inspiration to me and holds a special place in the heart of many Maritimers.

Caitlin Porter