From the Field: Saskatchewan

Postcards from the Field: Kylie McRae

Shell Conservation Intern Kylie McRae

Greetings from Saskatchewan:

I have seen some amazing wildlife while working as a Shell Conservation Intern in Saskatchewan. The highlight of the summer so far was seeing the release of 50 Plains Bison at Old Man on his Back Heritage and Conservation Area (OMB). It was an experience like no other! While visiting OMB, I helped to clean up at the Butala homestead and managed an NCC display at the Eastend T-Rex Discovery Centre. One of my favourite days was visiting a local high school along with my fellow Shell Conservation Intern, Vanessa Swarbrick. Vanessa and I talked with grade 10 and 12 students about the importance of conservation in Canada, Plains Bison, stewardship and NCC . It was such a pleasure to reach out to younger Canadians and the students were very responsive to our presentation.

Missouri Coteau Saskatchewan

Last week, I was conducting field work on four properties at Dunkirk within the Missouri Coteau Natural Masterpiece Area. There was a wonderful assortment of ecosystems at the four sites, such as native mixed grass prairie, tame forage pastureland, forested coulees and a variety of riparian areas including sloughs, dugouts and streams. At Dunkirk I completed range health assessments where I recorded plant and wildlife inventories, examined pasture lands to find out the ideal stocking rates for cattle as well as filled out property questionnaires. Stocking rates inform the landowner about the condition of their range by surveying the vegetation, soil and hydration. They can then be used to suggest the optimal number of livestock that should graze the pasture. Right now, I am finishing the data entry from our range health assessments, collecting property maps and aerial photographs and writing property summaries for the Dunkirk monitoring reports.

In the fall I'll be completing my Bachelor of Science degree in land use and environmental studies with a specialty in biology at the University of Saskatchewan. I'm the president of the Environmental Students Association this coming year. It was through my involvement with the Association last year that I found out about the Shell Conservation Internship Program. Before I go back to classroom studies though, I'll be completing a field course at Prince Albert National Park with other students in my program.

Best Regards,

Kylie McRae