Hope, the gray ratsnake
Hope, the gray ratsnake (Photo by NCC)
This summer, I had the opportunity to go out with Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) field staff and reptile biologists from partner organizations to track a gray ratsnake dotingly named Hope, to which we'd previously attached a radio tracking...
Join the invasion at Hazel Bird
Hazel Bird Nature Reserve, ON (Photo by NCC)
When visiting the Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC's) Hazel Bird Nature Reserve in Ontario, you are greeted by a stunning grassland prairie with strong, looming oaks scattered delicately within the fields. You see the occasional shift of the...
Bee our guest: How to build a bee hotel
A bee pollinating a plant from the mint family (Photo by NCC)
Are you looking for an excuse to get crafty this spring? Are you hoping to build a positive relationship with bees? You’re in luck! Our native bees are non-swarming and non-agressive. They're in need of homes and could benefit from a bit of...
Staying fit while exploring nature
Hiking along Horseshoe Canyon, AB (Photo by Brett Gilmour)
When I was applying for jobs, I focused on positions that would get me outside and that were in the conservation field. During my job hunt, I applied for a position with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) as a summer conservation technician,...
Supporting the next generation of female conservationists
Danielle Horne in the field (Photo by NCC)
As with many university graduates, the hunt for work in my field of study began right after graduation. Finding meaningful employment can be hard for youth today, and at the time it was a difficult journey for me, too. I was fortunate to be hired...
Listening to the answers hidden in frog calls
Western chorus frog (Photo by Ryan Bolton)
Taking the time and effort to listen is essential to fully experiencing the outdoors. As a biologist, I am always keeping an eye and ear out for anything out of the ordinary, such as a rare frog, plant or bird species I’ve been hoping to...
Small pulls for a big cause: Ridding the Happy Valley Forest of invasive species
White trilliums in Happy Valley Forest, ON (Photo by NCC)
Summer in the Happy Valley Forest is the best time to enjoy the newly emerging flowers. It's a pleasant reminder that the warm weather is well on its way. Hiking through the forest, you may come across patches of bloodroot, Mayapple and of course...
From one NCC intern to another
Bourgeau Lake in Banff National Park (Photo by Sophia Yang/NCC)
One of the main reasons why working for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is so rewarding is because of all the wonderful people that make the work possible. At the forefront are NCC’s interns. Whether it’s spending days at a time...
Invasive species: A battle worth fighting
NCC staff members remove invasive garlic mustard from the Happy Valley Forest, Ontario (Photo by NCC)
Invasive species have developed a bad reputation, and for good reason: these nasty organisms wreak havoc on natural ecosystems, outcompete native species, threaten human health and cost us billions of dollars every year. They are the second...
Communications from the coast: Three days of travel as a student videographer
Getting a close up of the old-growth forest at the Gullchucks Estuary conservation area (Photo by NCC)
From May to August of this year, I worked in Victoria as the Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC’s) communications intern in British Columbia. I’m a writing student at the University of Victoria, and film is one of my areas of...
