Postcards from the Field: Christine Markel

Shell Conservation Intern Christine Markel

Greetings from Saskatchewan!

My name is Christine Markel and I grew up on a farm east of Edenawold, Saskatchewan. I have always loved nature and the outdoors, hence I am enjoying my summer outside. I recently graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.Sc. in Biology and a Minor in the Philosophy of Science and Technology.

I have been busy conducting health assessments and identifying flora and fauna across the province. I am always amazed at the diversity of landscapes that are revealed to me as I travel throughout this province. There really is nothing like walking through the sweeping vistas of native prairie in the Frenchman Valley.  While out here I was fortunate to witness a variety of species unique to the landscape, including the endangered swift fox!  Nothing takes you back further in time than witnessing the NCC’s conservation herd of plains bison running across the rolling hills of the prairie landscape.

Old Man On His Back, Frenchman Valley, SK

I love this province and I am honored to be working towards the protection of its species and spaces. I am so excited to be working with Nature Conservancy of Canada as a Shell Conservation Intern. I have been enjoying the many long days in field identifying grasses and song birds, and witnessing the diversity of wildlife this province has to offer. I believe landowners are important stewards of this province and it has been a pleasure meeting and working with them, as well as the staff, volunteers and partner organizations. I am grateful to have this opportunity and I believe the knowledge and skills I will learn this summer will be invaluable to me as an aspiring conservation biologist.

Have a great summer!

Christine Markel