Postcards from the Field: Desiree Idt

Shell Conservation Intern Desiree Idt

A prairie girl at heart, I truly feel at home here in Saskatchewan. Every day in my work as a Shell Conservation Intern with the Nature Conservancy of Canada I find that I learn something new, from grass species identification to bird calls to range management techniques. My fellow intern, Jennipher Karst, and I have been conducting baseline assessments at NCC-secured properties all across the southern part of the province. While we get to explore the beautiful prairies that I call home, let me tell you, it’s not an easy job. There is so much to know in order to complete a baseline assessment; the learning curve has certainly been steep, but I enjoy the challenge.

Celebrations at Old Man on His Back

On June 14th, we had the opportunity to assist with the official opening of NCC’s new interpretive centre at Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area in southwest Saskatchewan and were delighted to participate in a round dance with the Nekaneet First Nation during the ceremony to welcome our brother (the bison) back to the prairie. Event participants were celebrating the birth of 15 calves that are the first offspring of a conservation herd of Plains Bison that were reintroduced to their natural prairie habitat at Old Man on His Back in 2003. The ceremony was inspiring and made me realize how important the bison are to the aboriginal peoples as well as to me. They truly are an integral part of the prairies.

The summer is half over and there is still so much to learn and do. I look forward to surmounting the learning curve and using the knowledge I gain as a Shell Intern for future employment in the conservation/consulting field.

More 2006 Saskatchewan postcards>>