Postcards from the Field: Joseph D. Kotlar

Shell Conservation Intern Joseph D. Kotlar

Howdy Y’all
I am a Saskatchewan boy, born and raised in Saskatoon.  My post-secondary education has taken me from the boreal forest to the prairies of Saskatchewan. I recently graduated from the University of Regina with a degree in Environmental Biology. This summer I am working with two other interns, Christine and Leah, to monitor the health of conservation easements across southern Saskatchewan.

A landscape photo of the Old Man on his Back hills from the Old Man on his Back interpretive center

Monitoring easements involves conducting range, tame and riparian health assessments. These assessments require the ability to identify moss, lichen, grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees. We also try to list all the mammal and bird species encountered by using the habitat for foraging or breeding. I am already well aware that working as a Shell Conservation Intern has increased my depth of plant and bird identification skills.  It’s also provided me with a greater understanding of range management in the prairie ecosystem.  This summer, my fellow interns and I are completing monitoring reports for each property we visit. We even get to make management recommendations for stewardship activities on properties that require attention. 

Overall, I believe this internship will provide me with the skills I’ll need for a career in habitat or wildlife management. For now, I will just enjoy the pleasures and privilege of hiking through the some of our last remaining prairies and attempting to identify all the species I can. Anyway, I must be on my way. We are heading southwest to the Frenchman River Watershed to monitor some properties. I know I will see so many interesting species and have a great time. Take care and have fun!

Respectfully,

Joseph D. Kotlar