Postcards from the Field: Melanie Juurlink

Shell Conservation Intern Melanie Juurlink

Greetings from Nova Scotia,

As a Shell Conservation Intern in the Atlantic Region, I’m visiting some amazing sites right in my back yard. This summer Donald Humphrey (a fellow Shell Conservation Intern) and I are travelling to NCC properties throughout Nova Scotia, conducting biological assessments and writing baseline reports. One of the most interesting sites we have seen is Pomquet Island, in Antigonish County. This small island hosts a nesting colony of Double-crested Cormorants, as well as nesting gulls and Great Blue Herons. There were birds everywhere; plants that were still alive were covered in a film of white. I have never seen such a bizarre place…it was astounding and a little bit freaky! Recently, we completed a day of trail maintenance at Gaff Point in Lunenburg County. Although the work was hard, it was an amazing hike. At the end of the day it seemed unfair that we were actually being paid to visit such a beautiful spot.

Young Great Blue Heron in nest at Pomquet Island

I grew up in Antigonish County, and stayed in my hometown to attend university. In May 2005 I graduated from St. Francis Xavier University, with an advanced major in Biology and a major in ISAR (Interdisciplinary Studies in Aquatic Resources). During my studies, I spent one summer completing a biological inventory of a wetland complex, and another summer doing research on the nesting ecology of Wood Turtles, a species at risk. After my internship with NCC is over, I am moving to Alberta, while I explore opportunities for a Masters Degree in conservation biology for the following year. I have already learned so much from working with NCC, and it feels like I’m just getting started…I can’t wait to see where this takes me!

Cheers!

Melanie

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