From the Field: British Columbia

Postcards from the Field: Ian Giesbrecht

Shell Conservation Intern Ian Giesbrecht

Greetings from Southwestern B.C.

One great aspect of being a Monitoring Technician with the Shell Conservation Internship Program has been the opportunity to travel between some of the many different landscapes, ecosystems, and conservation properties of southwestern British Columbia. From estuarine marshes and tall floodplain forests to dry rocky bluffs and endangered Garry Oak ecosystems, I've experienced and learned many new things about this diverse ecological region.

Campbell River intertidal marsh creation. Photo by Tim Ennis.

In May, I conducted field work at the Campbell River Estuary located 250 km northwest of Victoria. This property, once used for industrial log processing, is undergoing restoration of estuarine habitat and stream channels - used for rearing by nearly half the Campbell River 's juvenile salmon population; and rare floodplain and tidal marsh plant communities. I also worked at the Eagles of Brackendale project, located between Squamish and Whistler BC; a 165-hectare property known for its high concentration of Bald Eagles and the salmon that they feed on every winter. And at the start of the season, my training included field work in the endangered Garry Oak ecosystems, located in the dry rainshadow area along southeastern Vancouver Island.

But what did I do at these unique natural places? At each of four properties, or conservation covenants (known as conservation easements in other parts of Canada ), I completed plant and wildlife surveys; took descriptive photographs; checked for possible land disturbances; and monitored the success of restoration work – such as re-establishment of natural plant communities – and the implementation of management plans. I then compared the ecological data and photographs from past and present surveys to describe any changes that might have occurred to the land overtime. I am currently finalizing reports that compile all this information and ensure that the conservation requirements of each covenant are being adhered to.

In September, I return to Simon Fraser University to complete a degree in Environmental Science. But before summer's end, I'll spend some free time sea-kayaking around Salt Spring Island , and making a quick visit to my old stomping grounds in Brandon, Manitoba.

All the best,

Ian Giesbrecht