Urban Rattlers of Boston’s Blue Hills
Every so often I like to share stories about other viper populations, particularly those in urban landscapes, to allow us to step outside of our Ojibway Prairie “lens”, catch a glimpse of conservation action in other parts of the world, and hopefully gain some...
There and back again: A conservation biologist tale
It’s December 13th, which marks the end of my contract with Wildlife Preservation Canada. I had the privilege of covering Andrea Geilens’ maternity leave. When I started back in November 2018, I had big shoes to fill, and I look back on the many things I learned while...
Future Generations
I started working for Wildlife Preservation Canada in March 2018. It was my first time back at work since I had a child in 2016. Juggling work and family life is like trying to walk on a log, while river rafting, but I found myself with a new perspective on...
Seabirds but no serpents on Serpent Island
https://youtu.be/_Rqr3Mn7IyA By Eric JolinVideo credit: Dhanu Munasinghe Taking full advantage of the calm seas on our most recent trip back to the mainland, our team was lucky enough to make a quick detour to Serpent Island! Much to my dismay, Serpent Island doesn't...
School’s out for the summer!
The turtle eggs incubated in the headstarting program are collected from the wild when mothers lay their eggs in dangerous locations. Photo: Stephanie WintonWait, what? Well, for the Oregon spotted frogs and western painted turtles that is. The recovery strategy for...
The Masked Butcher Bird
Happy Hallowe’en! Ever wondered why the loggerhead shrike wears a “mask”? It’s not to go out trick-or-treating!
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Jonathan Choquette
Jonathan manages the recovery program for the Ojibway population of the massasauga rattlesnake in Southern Ontario. Jonathan is a habitat expert, studying both biology and landscape architecture at the University of Guelph. As an academic for many years, Jonathan has published numerous articles about the importance of habitat for reptiles and amphibians.
Maja Hampson
Acting Lead Biologist – Fraser Valley Wetlands Program
Maja focused her career and Master’s thesis on captive wildlife, specifically big cats in captivity, until Andrea Gielens brought her over to the world of reptiles and amphibians. While Andrea is on leave, Maja will be leading the Oregon spotted frog, Western painted turtle and Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly recovery programs.
Genevieve Rowe
Lead Biologist – Native Pollinator Initiative
Genevieve manages the native pollinator recovery programs across Canada. She has worked with renowned experts in the fields of pollinator ecology, taxonomy and systematics, and has taken part in various species at-risk monitoring and recovery programs, both nationally and internationally.
Hazel Wheeler
Hazel manages all aspects of our shrike recovery program, from captive breeding and release, field surveys, and landowner relationships in Ontario, to building partnerships with shrike researchers in the US to work towards species recovery throughout North America. Hazel has been working with at-risk birds for over a decade, including a Master’s degree studying the habitat of the chimney swift.
Tiffani Harrison
Alberta Program Coordinator – Native Pollinator initiative
Tiffani graduated from York University in environmental management. She is passionate about pollinator conservation and working with species at risk. Tiffani first became involved with Wildlife Preservation Canada’s work as a bumble bee conservation technician. Tiffani now manages the bumble bee citizen science and research programs in Alberta at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
Michelle MacKenzie
Endangered Species Technician – Fraser Valley Wetlands Wildlife, Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Recovery
Michelle was born and raised in Alberta where she graduated from the University of Calgary with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology. She recently made the move to BC to continue to pursue her dream of being a conservation biologist. She is very excited to be working on the Fraser Valley wetlands wildlife recovery team as well as with the native pollinators team.
Jane Hudecki
Conservation Breeding Coordinator – Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Program
Andrea Gielens
Andrea manages our captive breeding and release programs for the Oregon spotted frog and the coastal western painted turtle. Andrea has studied at-risk reptiles and amphibians in Canada and abroad, including a term at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey. Andrea also manages the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly recovery program on Denman Island in BC.
Hannah McCurdy-Adams
Reptile and Amphibian Program Development Coordinator
Hannah is developing the national reptile and amphibian initiative for Wildife Preservation Canada. She has worked with experts in the fields of road ecology, physiology, and genetics. Hannah has been involved in conservation projects for at-risk reptiles and amphibians in Canada for almost a decade.
Jennifer Barden
Lead Reptile Recovery Technician – Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery
After living in Southern Ontario for most of her life, Jennifer moved to British Columbia and had the opportunity to work with the northern pacific rattlesnake in the South Okanagan, BC. This year she is back in Ontario working with the eastern massasauga rattlesnake as part of the OPRREC field team.