Postcards from the Field: Allison Bannister

Shell Conservation Intern Allison Bannister

Hey there, Greetings from Midwestern/Central Ontario!

This summer with NCC just seems to be flying by, and I have already learned a great deal in the past few months! Every new experience has helped me to determine what aspects of conservation work are of interest to me with respect to pursuing a future career.

As an undergraduate student presently completing a Bachelor of Science degree (majoring in Zoology) - summer employment opportunities that offer both field experience and an elevated degree of responsibility are rare, and incredibly coveted. An internship position like this one is a significant milestone in any ecological career, and I consider myself very lucky to have been given such a valuable opportunity.

Savannah Tall Grass Prairie, Rice Lake Plains, Ontario

Not only has this position enabled me to cultivate more proficient species identification, geo-referencing, and research skills, it has also allowed me to better understand work in a not-for-profit setting. Time in the field has been a whirlwind of different tasks from restoring tallgrass prairie and savannahs on the Oak Ridges Moraine, to searching for endangered flora and fauna along the Maitland River and in the unique alvar ecosystems along Lake Huron.

Most importantly however, this summer has offered me the chance to actively participate in an organization that strives to accomplish intrinsically good things for our planet. NCC's mission of conserving and protecting Canada's biodiversity is a noble and admirable one, and it is something that I am proud to be a part of and hope to continue to partake in for many years to come.

Allison Bannister