How much do NCC interns love nature and Canada’s landscapes? A lot!
Every year, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) offices and field sites burst with new faces and energy. From community engagement to conservation planning, NCC’s interns have helped drive our mission of creating a thriving world with nature.
Many of them were eager to share their stories and experiences so that we can get a taste of the work that goes on and learn more about the biodiversity on our landscape. Read about conservation work from first-hand experiences, reflect on how you relate to nature and be inspired by these young forces for nature and see how you can support conservation where you are:
Jill Ramsay bushwhacking in the field at one of NCC’s Port Joli properties in Nova Scotia. (Photo by NCC)
There are moments working in the field that are physically and mentally tough to endure. But as this intern reflects, putting aside our own comfort for the betterment of the natural world is a form of trade with Earth that she won’t hesitate to enter, time and time again. Read more >
Volunteers and staff carrying trees. (Photo by Andrea Moreau/NCC staff)
Conservation Volunteers are literally branching out to put the natural curves back in Willow Creek at Minesing Wetlands, an internationally significant wetland just west of Barrie, Ontario. See the crew in action and some unexpected critters!
Doug, the Nova Scotia stewardship manager, introduced the NCC staff and volunteers (Photo by Andrew Herygers/NCC staff)
Have you ever wondered who takes care of your favourite hiking trail? Every year, Conservation Volunteers and NCC staff gather to repair the popular Gaff Point trail. Branches must be trimmed, muddy areas must be covered and erosion must be dealt with. It's a big team effort, all to keep hikers safe! Read our story to find out how!
The Large Landscapes Team with beaver baffler (Photo by NCC)
Learn how beaver bafflers cleverly curtail critter-created challenges by channelling water through a beaver dam without disturbing the beavers and while preventing flooding on nearby roads or trails. Read more >
Gaff Point, NS (Photo by Andrew Herygers/NCC staff)
Find out why a trip to Gaff Point, Nova Scotia, with its ocean views and crashing waves, reminds this NCC intern of her home country that’s an ocean and a sea away. Read about the trail and the scenic views that will make you dreaming of your next outdoor adventure.
River Crossing, NL (Photo by Kayla Fisher/ NCC staff)
With just a week left to complete a two-week field monitoring journey, a team of nine, comprised of staff from NCC, Birds Canada and a Memorial University master’s student, had to reach a remote nature reserve only accessible by helicopter. But thick fog put a wrench in their plans. Find out how the team got back on track by taking another scenic route.
From left to right: Clint Blyth, Anja Sorensen (NCC staff) and Jody Blyth (Photo by Emily Schulte/NCC staff)
Clint and Jody Blyth decided to do a conservation agreement (also known as an easement) on their property to ensure it would be protected forever. What's more, they recently hosted the 2023 Pipestone Creek Bioblitz on their property to share the importance of biodiversity, inspire a sense of wonder and foster a connection between people and the natural world. Read more >
Ocean Kveder (Photo courtesy of Ocean Kveder)
If you’re wondering whether you can have a career that meets both your passion for people and for nature, you bet you can! Here’s what one of our Conservation Volunteers program assistants had to say about their internship experience. Read more >
NCC staff and volunteers working to control phragmites on Georgian Bay, ON (Photo by Sara Meyer/NCC staff)
Phrag is such a drag. But the tenacious nature of this invasive species doesn’t stop NCC’s conservation interns and partner organizations from putting in their best efforts to control it. Read about how teamwork gets the job done along the eastern Georgian Bay coast.
NCC staff girdling Scotch pine trees (Photo by NCC)
Tree girdling is a selective process of slowly removing non-native or cultivated trees to allow natural regeneration to occur and to restore the forest’s natural biodiversity to a healthier state. Last summer, Triina Voitk, a conservation intern in Newfoundland and Labrador, took part in this process to help revive the life of many trees. Read more >
Ashleigh crawling under new fence, Collins Property, AB. (Photo by NCC)
Did you know that the total length of fences in southern Alberta and northeastern Montana would circle the Earth eight times? Find out why we’re mapping fences and the implications of this work.
Backus Woods (Photo by Neil Osborne)
No matter where you live and what the nature around you looks like, you can still benefit from spending time in nature. Find out which NCC projects are close to urban areas near you.
Asquith, SK (Photo by NCC)
Not all conservation work goes on in the field; there’s a lot of planning and operations that go on behind the scenes, including GIS. Hear about the reflections of this NCC intern after four months of working for nature.
A marked mottled duskywing ready to be released. (Photo by NCC)
Why did these mottled duskywing butterflies get a personalized paint job? Get a glimpse of butterfly field work and learn more about plant conservation projects.
Have you reached the end of the list and want more? Read more stories written by NCC interns and gain insight into the work that was done in partnership with these budding conservationists. Read your next report back from the field here >
