Postcards from the Field: Bradley Kennedy

Shell Conservation Intern Bradley Kennedy

Hello from Manitoba!

I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to work for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) this summer in Manitoba’s Riding Mountain Aspen Parkland as a Shell Conservation Intern. Although my field work partner Lauren and I have been very productive, it has hardly felt like work so far. Collecting data for our baseline inventory reports is a great chance to visit some of our province’s amazing natural areas. It feels a lot like going out for a hike.

Big Valley, Riding Mountain Aspen Parkland, Manitoba

Part of what has made this summer so enjoyable is everything that I have learned in such a short period of time. The mentorship provided by NCC science and stewardship staff, as well as my fellow Shell Conservation Interns have allowed me to hone many valuable skills. These include species identification, ecosystem classification, orienteering, and the use of both GPS and GIS. Furthermore, I am grateful for this chance to learn how a non-profit organization like NCC works to achieve its conservation.

In the fall I will return to the University of Manitoba to complete my Masters of Environment degree, but the connections I have made during my summer internship will remain with me over the long term. It has been rewarding to work towards such a noble cause. The experience I have gained will certainly be beneficial to me as I pursue my future career path in the conservation field. I am very appreciative that NCC and Shell Canada Limited have provided me with this opportunity, and I hope the other interns across the country are having an equally educational and enjoyable experience this summer.

Bradley Kennedy