The Kensington Conservancy had a fantastic team of seasonal staff join us this year. We hope you enjoy reading their recaps of their time with us. We wish them all the best in this future endeavours! Thank you to the Government of Canada, the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, Evolugen, the Province of Ontario, TD Friends of the Environment, and TKC members for providing the funding for these positions, which provided meaningful workspace experiences while helping TKC pursue our conservation goals here in the St. Joseph Channel area. |
"I am very thankful to have worked at The Kensington Conservancy for a second summer as their Bat Monitoring Technician. I was thrilled to not only teach myself but also educate others on these unique and invaluable species. With last year’s data, I was able to complete my undergraduate thesis answering questions pertaining to bat species presence and habitat preferences in the surrounding area. Data from 2023 amounted to over 150 thousand bat recordings, and we acoustically detected all species known to exist in Ontario. It was exciting to transform TKC’s raw data into a final project and be able to share it with the local school and science communities.
Spending my summers working in the same general area where I spent my summers growing up brings me a sense of gratitude. Field work would often bring out my inner child, especially when I spent hours exploring nature preserves and looking for new flora and fauna. Guided paddles were also one of my favourite activities. Being able to assist in Explorer Summer Day Camp for a second year gave me the opportunity to connect with children and watch their knowledge and passion for nature grow.
TKC is a very positive and welcoming workplace. I think pursuing what you are passionate about as a career is an important component of happiness. That, in combination with a like-minded team, TKC creates the perfect recipe for a great work environment. I had the pleasure of meeting so many kind-hearted people over the summer and will definitely miss the team!"
Amy Carlson
Bat Monitoring Technician
Spending my summers working in the same general area where I spent my summers growing up brings me a sense of gratitude. Field work would often bring out my inner child, especially when I spent hours exploring nature preserves and looking for new flora and fauna. Guided paddles were also one of my favourite activities. Being able to assist in Explorer Summer Day Camp for a second year gave me the opportunity to connect with children and watch their knowledge and passion for nature grow.
TKC is a very positive and welcoming workplace. I think pursuing what you are passionate about as a career is an important component of happiness. That, in combination with a like-minded team, TKC creates the perfect recipe for a great work environment. I had the pleasure of meeting so many kind-hearted people over the summer and will definitely miss the team!"
Amy Carlson
Bat Monitoring Technician
"My time here at The Kensington Conservancy has been nothing short of amazing. My main task this summer was to visit all of TKC's properties, monitor them and record any significant species and or disturbances to the properties. While doing those tasks, I have been able to see so many amazing things. Being from eight hours south, the landscape of where the TKC properties are located is something that is incredible and new to me. This opportunity has given me the chance to see so much more of the Algoma area, and I know if I didn't love this area before working here, I for sure do now, how could you not! This past summer, I also got to participate in salamander board surveys, as well as tree swallow and bluebird nesting surveys. These were another amazing highlights from my time this past summer at The Kensington Conservancy.
The St Josephs Channel area and the TKC crew will forever hold a spot in my heart. Seeing the team's dedication day after day to this beautiful area and helping conserve it is incredible and I am so lucky to have been a part of the team. Whether it was listening to community members discuss the TKC at Community Day events, engaging with visitors at the office, or connecting with people on the trails or guided paddles, it was always deeply fulfilling to hear about the impact the TKC has on our community. Participating in the Junior Explorers and Explorers Summer Camps was especially rewarding. Providing children with knowledge, skills, and a passion for the natural world is an experience I will always treasure. In a time when environmental awareness is more crucial than ever, these programs are vital for nurturing young minds.
For me, the most meaningful aspect was the sense that my work was truly making a difference. I chose to pursue a career in the natural environment field because I wanted to contribute to its betterment, and my experience with the TKC was instrumental in fulfilling that goal. Traveling from property to property, immersing myself in the beauty of each location, and knowing that my role was to protect and raise awareness about these precious spaces was an incredibly fulfilling experience. I am deeply grateful for my time at The Kensington Conservancy and for all the valuable knowledge and skills imparted to me by the team."
Rorey Recoskie
Field Technician
The St Josephs Channel area and the TKC crew will forever hold a spot in my heart. Seeing the team's dedication day after day to this beautiful area and helping conserve it is incredible and I am so lucky to have been a part of the team. Whether it was listening to community members discuss the TKC at Community Day events, engaging with visitors at the office, or connecting with people on the trails or guided paddles, it was always deeply fulfilling to hear about the impact the TKC has on our community. Participating in the Junior Explorers and Explorers Summer Camps was especially rewarding. Providing children with knowledge, skills, and a passion for the natural world is an experience I will always treasure. In a time when environmental awareness is more crucial than ever, these programs are vital for nurturing young minds.
For me, the most meaningful aspect was the sense that my work was truly making a difference. I chose to pursue a career in the natural environment field because I wanted to contribute to its betterment, and my experience with the TKC was instrumental in fulfilling that goal. Traveling from property to property, immersing myself in the beauty of each location, and knowing that my role was to protect and raise awareness about these precious spaces was an incredibly fulfilling experience. I am deeply grateful for my time at The Kensington Conservancy and for all the valuable knowledge and skills imparted to me by the team."
Rorey Recoskie
Field Technician
"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work as a Field Technician at The Kensington Conservancy. This position allowed me to gain invaluable hands-on experience in various field activities, including property monitoring, checking bluebird boxes, and exploring bat caves. Each task not only enhanced my understanding of local ecosystems but also fostered a deeper appreciation for conservation efforts. The summer camps were particularly rewarding, as they enabled me to engage with the community and share my passion for nature with others.
The Kensington Conservancy provided a unique and positive work environment that made every day enjoyable. The team was incredibly welcoming, creating a sense of camaraderie that made collaboration seamless. Whether working alongside experienced professionals or fellow interns, I always felt supported and encouraged to share my ideas. This nurturing atmosphere helped me grow both personally and professionally, reinforcing my commitment to environmental stewardship.
Overall, my time at The Kensington Conservancy has been a transformative experience. The skills and knowledge I gained, coupled with the friendships I formed, have left a lasting impact on my career path. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to such meaningful work in a place that truly values its mission and its people."
Sarah Peplow
Field Technician
The Kensington Conservancy provided a unique and positive work environment that made every day enjoyable. The team was incredibly welcoming, creating a sense of camaraderie that made collaboration seamless. Whether working alongside experienced professionals or fellow interns, I always felt supported and encouraged to share my ideas. This nurturing atmosphere helped me grow both personally and professionally, reinforcing my commitment to environmental stewardship.
Overall, my time at The Kensington Conservancy has been a transformative experience. The skills and knowledge I gained, coupled with the friendships I formed, have left a lasting impact on my career path. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to such meaningful work in a place that truly values its mission and its people."
Sarah Peplow
Field Technician