October 5^th 2022

This summer, the Gault Nature Reserve welcomed Kevin, Nora and Savannah, three interns from McGill's Faculty of Science who we introduced in the July edition of InfoGault. The internship kept them busy with a various tasks, including general maintenance of the Reserve, as well as research and conservation work. The Reserve is a unique learning environment where students gain hands-on work experience in various domains. We hope that these teachings will be a stepping stone for their careers, whichever goals they choose to tackle next.

We want to thank them for their excellent work this summer and for their remarkable contributions to many projects at the Reserve. Their active involvement, open minds and great teamwork made a massive difference in the success of our conservation and research work this summer. We wish them the best of success in their future endeavours and hope to see them again soon.

From left to right : Nora Bartram-Forbes, Savannah Bissegger O'Connor and Kevin Alexander (photo: Alex Tran)

Want to know what it is like to work at Gault? Discover what our interns thought of their time here.

Kevin Alexander (photo: Alex Tran)

This summer, Kevin Alexander, a recent Environment graduate at McGill University, joined our ranks and worked closely with Frédérique Truchon, the Communications Associate at the Reserve. He took a particular interest in reading, translating, and writing digestible science news articles for our InfoGault Newsletter subscribers.

“I read some fascinating research papers about projects that have taken place at the Reserve in the past, which led me to understand in greater depth the many facets of field research. I became interested in writing articles about this exciting research to share what I learned with the public. Getting to practice science communication was not something I expected coming into this internship, but I was glad when I was given the opportunity.”

Nora Bartram-Forbes (photo: Alex Tran)

Both Kevin and Nora Bartram-Forbes, a second-year biology student at McGill University, stayed at the Gîte, one of Gault’s living quarters, from Monday to Thursday all summer. Nora told us about the dual nature of living downtown and in the Reserve throughout the internship.

“I loved having the best of both worlds. Being here at Gault during the week and back in Montreal on the weekends allowed me to enjoy elements of nature and the city all summer long. Here, I enjoyed hikes after work and the quiet forest and spotting new birds, mushrooms, and plants every day.”

Kevin Alexander (left) and Nora Bartram-Forbes (right) on the Dieppe summit (photo: Savannah Bissegger O'Connor)

It has been an exciting summer for our interns, and we are sad to see it end. Kevin, Nora, and Savannah are grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and collaborate with the team at Gault Nature Reserve. Nora echoed the value of working with a multidisciplinary team.

“It was eye-opening to see how many different jobs can intersect with biology and the environment. Gault’s team and the researchers it hosts come from various backgrounds and career trajectories. I learned that there are many avenues for me when working in biology or conservation.”

Savannah Bissegger O'Connor (photo: Alex Tran)

Savannah Bissegger O’Connor, a final year biology student at McGill, returned to work at the Gault Nature Reserve as a field assistant for a second season while also working on a research project funded by the Gault Research Awards. She grew up and currently resides in Otterburn Park, the neighbouring town of Mont-Saint-Hilaire.

“Working in my chosen field at a McGill Research Station, and being so close to home, is special. In my first year working at the Reserve, COVID was limiting science-related activities. Despite this, I enjoyed the experience so much that I wanted to come back! With the ramp-up of activities this season, especially with field courses coming back and colleagues returning to the office, my experience this time was completely different. Things were a lot livelier around here.”

Photo: Savannah Bissegger O'Connor

She also expressed that the Gault Nature Reserve internship is unique for one very specific reason.

“There is room to explore our own personal and professional interests. We are encouraged to take the initiative, propose, and carry out projects that are gratifying to us and help advance Gault’s conservation and public outreach mission. I enjoy the creative aspect of coming up with new ideas and solutions to problems, especially working with a multidisciplinary team to get the job done.”

If you are a McGill student interested in joining the internship program at the Gault Nature Reserve next summer, send your CV to David Maneli, Associate Director.

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