This project will use computer modeling techniques to examine the population dynamics of the Itcha-Ilgachuz caribou herd in west central British Columbia. This large herd is a potential source, from which caribou could be transplanted to small endangered mountain caribou herds in Southern BC to help boost their numbers. Previously acquired data on the Itcha-Ilgachuz […]

In response to the continued loss of biodiversity and natural cover in the landscape, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has developed the Terrestrial Natural Heritage System Strategy (TNHSS), which has been implemented since 2007. The Strategy, based on contemporary ecological principles, developed a set of models and tools that allowed for the development […]

The intern is expected to conduct a comparative study of what modifications are warranted to access and allocation processes of Canadian fisheries policy and legislation. Looking at the policies in place in other countries the aim is to identify policies that can be viably implemented into the Canadian context. It appears that within jurisdictions around […]

In North America, the prairies of the Great Plains represent an important natural region and provide crucial ecological goods and services for both humans and wildlife. The intern's research looks to evaluate cumulative effects of development on multi]scalar habitat and movement pathway selections of pronghorn, considered an indicator species for the overall health of prairie […]

Atlantic salmon populations throughout much of Atlantic Canada, including Newfoundland, have been in steady decline in recent decades. Many populations depend now on the conservation initiatives, whereby captive fish, reared in a hatchery from eggs to maturity, are released into rivers to supplement declining wild populations. However, concerns have been raised that the fish reared […]

Global climate change threatens to drastically alter the behaviour and fitness of many species, and the ability to predict how Canadian wildlife will respond to these changes is imperative in planning management strategies. In this study, we will examine long-term changes in bill colouration, diet, and abundance of the Atlantic Puffin. We will collect feathers […]

  Native grasslands in Alberta provide important breeding habitat for many grassland birds, including species at risk.  However, conservation agencies are concerned that the quantity and quality of remaining grasslands in southeastern Alberta may currently be threatened by expansion of energy development. The Antelope Creek Habitat Development Area (ACHDA) is composed largely of native grassland […]

  Fisheries are dynamic, complex environments associated with high risk of occupational injury and fatality. A multitude of factors directly and indirectly mediate occupational risks in fisheries. This study addresses the area of air-related risks in enclosed spaces on board fishing vessels. In decked vessels, fishing vessel holds and sleeping and eating areas are enclosed […]

Whitebark pine is an important high elevation species in BC’s coastal mountains, but it is vulnerable to extinction due to threats such as pest outbreaks and climate change. The species is therefore in dire need of restoration and research to both sustain future populations, and improve scientific knowledge of its ecological functions. The internship involves […]

  The purpose of the survey of the Upper Lynde Creek Watershed for redside dace habitat addresses the ability of current habitat measurements to accurately predict redside dace locations.  The survey will be completed in three phases.  The first phase identifies potential redside dace habitat by using GIS technology.  In addition, landowners are contacted to […]

  As part of ongoing collaboration with Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the intern will engage in the first phase of a 5-year dune restoration effort at Wickaninnish Beach near Ucluelet, B.C.  Invasive beach grass (Ammophila spp.) was introduced to stabilize the dunes in the 1940s and has since colonized the fore dunes, reduced active […]

  This project is the first to assess reliability of run reconstruction methods for estimating sockeye salmon abundance and exploitation rates in the Fraser River. Run reconstruction is a model-based approach to estimating fishery harvest rates and catch of up to 35 individual sockeye salmon stocks. Fishery managers typically require these estimates to design pre-season […]