Most of my conservation experience has been with herpetofauna, so I wanted to work with other species. The Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program aligns with my goals by involving me in learning about a new species, monitoring techniques, avian husbandry, and public interaction. I was excited to enhance my bird identification skills and communication abilities.

During my program, we took communication courses emphasizing science communication, especially concerning misinformation. One impactful presentation was from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, which highlighted how communication requires dedication to understanding your audience and finding common ground.

Working with WPC taught me the importance of communicating with landowners. Most breeding sites for loggerhead shrikes in Ontario are on private land. Every breeding pair that we monitored in Napanee this season was on privately owned land.  This highlights the need for strong, ongoing relationships with landowners, who grant us access to their property to monitor shrikes closely.

When I started my masters, I didn’t know exactly where I wanted to take my career. I knew that I wanted to work in conservation, but was unsure how I wanted to be involved. My practicum opened my eyes to the importance of communication with community members and how collaboration is essential for the survival of conservation projects. The Masters of Wildlife Biology program helped shape my career direction, and my practicum with WPC has solidified it.

I am incredibly grateful to WPC for providing me with this opportunity to learn and grow as a conservationist. The team’s support and guidance have been invaluable in shaping my understanding of conservation work and helping me gain the skills needed to contribute to projects. Thank you to everyone at WPC for your dedication to conservation and for welcoming me into your community.

If you’re passionate about wildlife conservation and want to make a difference, consider supporting organizations like WPC. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness about their projects, your involvement can have a lasting impact on conserving species like the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike.