From the Field: Ontario

Postcards from the Field: Bryan Allemang

Shell Conservation Intern Bryan Allemang

Greetings from southern Ontario,

My Shell Conservation Internship has started off with a bang! On May 14th, I assisted with the Volunteer for Nature trip at Turkey Point in southwestern Ontario. The goal for the day was to remove invasive plants that have infested the area in order to encourage the return to an oak savannah ecosystem and provide for rare native plants such as Birdsfoot violet among others. It was wonderful listening to the volunteers talk about their experiences and hearing about all the events that they have helped to support over the years. I really admire their incredible commitment to conservation.

Endangered Bird's-Foot Violet at Turkey Point

I am working as a Summer Field Technician in NCC Ontario inventorying properties, collecting site data, mapping threatened species which have been listed by COSEWIC and writing management plans and recommendations for sites in NCC's Carolinian Coast region. Working alongside Ontario Stewardship Officer, Graham Buck, I'll be studying the diversity of the southernmost part of Canada. Most of my time will be spent at NCC properties located near Grand Bend, Goderich and along Lake Erie's north shore. Normally my weeks are broken down with 3 days in the field getting my hands dirty and the remaining days writing up field work and plans. I am currently attending the University of Guelph as an Environmental Science major after transferring from Sir Sandford Fleming College where I completed the 3-year Ecosystem Management program. I have some background in Latin terminology but my biggest challenge this summer will be trying to remember Latin species names Ad infinitum. In the near future I can envision myself working as a watershed coordinator in partnership with conservation authorities but not without first spending some time living in the Yukon, enjoying life.

Bye for now,

Bryan Allemang

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