Postcards from the Field: Alexandra Hood

Shell Conservation Intern Alexandra Hood

Hello from Southwestern Ontario!

Although not far from my hometown of Pembroke, Ontario, the ecosystems in the Southwestern Ontario Carolinian zone are a far cry from the towering pine, spruce and birch trees of my childhood. From Tulip trees and Red Buds to Hooded Warblers and Blue Racers, the Shell Internship Conservation Program has exposed me to many new and fascinating organisms and habitats!

Stone Road alvar on the south shore of Pelee Island looking towards middle island

The Carolinian zone of Canada makes up less than one percent of Canada’s land mass but contains almost one quarter of the human population, which means that fragmentation and loss of forest is a pressing issue. For this reason, much of the work being done in my region is related to ecosystem restoration. My degree from the University of Waterloo in Environment and Resource Studies (with a focus on Ecological Restoration) has been invaluable to me for my work with NCC this summer. I have been able to apply the principles I learned in school hands-on for meadow, agricultural and alvar restoration, and even vernal pool construction. I’ve also worked on projects involving invasive species management and interpretive sign creation. The technical report writing and field skills will definitely be an asset to me as I hopefully begin a Masters degree (and career) in Wildlife and Restoration Ecology.

As an amateur field “herper” (reptile and amphibian ecologist), our Pelee Island alvar properties are my favorite properties to visit.  There are chances to glimpse many reptile and amphibian species-at-risk, including three species found nowhere else in Canada: Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii), Smallmouthed Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) and Fowler's Toad (Bufo fowlerii)!

Cheers,

Alex Hood