Postcards from the Field: Rachel Turnquist

Shell Conservation Intern Rachel Turnquist

Hi from Saskatchewan!

Since growing up on a small mixed-hog farm at Prairie River in northeastern Saskatchewan, I’ve always had a fondness for animals and nature.  I enjoy wilderness camping and hunting in my spare time. I received a diploma in livestock production from Olds College in Alberta in 2004, and a diploma from The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) in Prince Albert in 2008 in resource and environmental law.  Now I am furthering my education and experience with a degree in environmental science from the University of Saskatchewan.

This summer has been very exciting!  We have been monitoring conservation easements predominantly in the Missouri Coteau, a landform that was created during the last glaciation.  The coteau stretches from Lloydminster, Saskatchewan to South Dakota in the United States.  Its rolling hills, prairie potholes and uplands are full of a large diversity of plants, birds and animals.  It really is an incredible place to work! The properties that we visit are often managed by cattle ranchers, making it a great place to meet many wonderful people interested in the health of their land.

Missouri Coteau, Saskatchewan

I have yet to see first hand any rare or threatened species, although I have been looking for Loggerhead Shrike and  Burrowing Owls.  Our team has been fortunate enough to come across Elk, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer, Coyotes, Ground Squirrels and a number of other animals that always seem to brighten up the day.

I am very pleased to have been given the opportunity to work for the Nature Conservancy of Canada through the Shell Conservation Internship Program. As I hope my future holds work in conservation, the skills I am building this summer will be important later on in my career!

Rachel Turnquist