Postcards from the Field: Kim Monaghan

Shell Conservation Intern Kim Monaghan

Hello from Northwestern Ontario!

As a graduate of the Outdoor Recreation and Natural Science programs at Lakehead University I was really excited about the opportunity to come back to Northwestern Ontario to work for the Nature Conservancy of Canada this summer!

Throughout the summer, I’ll be working on projects all over Northwestern Ontario from beautiful Lake of the Woods to the shores of mighty Lake Superior!  I’ll have my work cut out for me searching for rare and disjunct species, doing baseline studies for potential properties and helping to write property management plans. I’ll also be liaising with local landowners to plan stewardship activities that will preserve imperiled species and habitats.

Western Great Lakes Forest, ON

So far, I’ve been able to explore the unique Precambrian flat-topped mountains (mesas) in the Western Lake Superior Coast region, where Peregrine Falcons nest and Arctic disjunct plants exist. I’m also looking forward to getting out on the water as many of NCC’s existing and potential properties are on islands or peninsulas! I can’t wait to explore and help protect the vast wilderness that is Northwestern Ontario!

I’m excited to be involved in such co-operative efforts to preserve biodiversity and I’m eager to learn more about NCC’s community partnerships and take part in some NCC volunteer days. This September, I’ll be pursuing a Master of Environmental Studies at Dalhousie University, where I intend to study community-based conservation and ecological literacy. I can tell that the lessons I learn this summer will be very helpful in this endeavour!

Have a great summer!
Kim Monaghan