Postcards from the Field: Jennifer Lau

Shell Conservation Intern Jennifer Lau

Hello from the East Coast!

I grew up in Nova Scotia, attended the University of Waterloo (BSc) and recently completed my MSc at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This fall, I will be starting my PhD at the University of Waterloo in restoration ecology.

For the past two months, my field partner (Hurst Gannon) and I have been to different areas of Nova Scotia to conduct baseline surveys, monitor properties, visit sites and help organize a Conservation Volunteers event. I love that I get to work in these natural environments, knowing the areas will be conserved for future generations.

Maclean Forest, Port Joli, Nova Scotia

Every field trip is an adventure! My first field trip with the Nature Conservancy of  Canada was to Bayers Island. We walked along a white sandy beach to get to the island, and along this beach, I saw my first pair of Piping Plovers (an endangered species)! Last month, we canoed around Twin Lakes to do a Common Loon survey and found  a Loon pair with two chicks. Two weeks ago, we walked through the majestic mature forests at Port Joli. The rest of the summer looks just as exciting and I can’t wait to visit more properties.

This summer position as a Shell Conservation Intern has opened doors and provided many networking opportunities for me in the conservation field.

Have a wonderful summer!

Jennifer Lau