Postcards from the Field: Mélissa Larochelle

Shell Conservation Intern Mélissa Larochelle

Hello from Quebec

Working as a Shell Conservation Intern with the Nature Conservancy of Canada is an experience that I’ll always remember throughout my career. I’m an aspiring geographer and this internship will definitely help me to develop the knowledge of natural places that I’ve gained during my first two years at the Université du Québec à Montréal. As I’m a nature lover at heart and take great pleasure in a healthy river, the Richelieu River project offers me a great opportunity to work in a natural and biodiverse environment.

The Richelieu River is home to more than 57 species of fish, including the Copper Redhorse (Moxostoma hubbsi), which has been a threatened species in Quebec since 1999 and an endangered species in Canada since 2004. Protecting the habitat of this species is very important and, since the shores of the river are heavily populated, I’m learning to deal with the compromises between conservation and urbanization.

Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Preserve

Since the beginning of the summer, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and learning from many people who are experienced at stewarding natural environments. For starters, I attended several training sessions so I could participate in an awareness campaign to protect the Copper Redhorse. I then had the opportunity to work in the field with the regional watershed committee, revegetating a shoreline area that is undergoing erosion. I’ll also be writing a paper to be distributed within some of the municipalities located along the Richelieu River and participating in activities to generate more awareness of the importance of protecting the river’s shorelines.

These different activities have already made me realize just how important NCC‘s work to preserve Quebec’s natural treasures is. At the same time, I am proud of having had an opportunity to make a personal contribution and I do intend to continue on in my commitment.

- Mélissa Larochelle

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