July 11^th 2024

This summer promises to be our busiest yet, with a record number of active research projects across the mountain in various fields. To support these endeavours, the Reserve has assembled a dynamic team of six McGill students, hired as Field Operations Assistants and Lead.

From trail maintenance and invasive plant mapping to data collection, native fauna surveys, and public outreach, these passionate, nature-loving students have a packed summer ahead.

Philippe Hamel

Philippe studies Sustainability, Science, and Society and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at McGill. He had the pleasure (he said it!) of working at Gault last year, starting as an Assistant and now leading the intern team. Growing up close to the mountain, Philippe was inspired to contribute to protecting its unique ecosystem. This summer, he's thrilled to be back tackling this critical work. His favourite encounter? Another talkative common raven, just like last year!

Vivianne Choquette

Vivianne is a second-year McGill student specializing in Environmental Biology with a focus on wildlife. Her favourite course is insect biology, which directly applies to her work at the Reserve. Fond memories of visiting the Reserve with her family sparked her interest in conservation, leading her to this internship. Vivianne is excited to contribute to the Gault Newsletter, combining her love for science outreach with the challenge of communicating scientific concepts clearly and engagingly. Her favourite Reserve resident is the eastern bluebird, admired for its unique call and striking blue colour.

Sophie Krouse

Sophie, entering her fourth year in Biology at McGill, is keenly interested in Conservation, Ecology, Evolution, and Behaviour. Growing up in Grimsby, Ontario, nestled between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment, she developed a love for diverse forest habitats. Sophie's most exciting project this summer is mapping and tracking the spread of invasive species in the Reserve. Her favourite field sighting? The fisher, an adorable small mammalian predator and agile climber.

Morgane Dubé

Morgane

Morgane, a third-year Biology student at McGill, is passionate about ecology and genetics. Hailing from Saint-Hyacinthe, her familiarity with the mountain fueled her desire to engage in conservation efforts. Returning for her second summer at Gault, she looks forward to seeing the progress in invasive plant removal. An amateur photographer, Morgane is also eager to document the Reserve's work and wildlife, contributing to science outreach and Gault's social media. Her favourite local fauna is the impressive praying mantis.

Corinne Lapierre

Corinne, who recently completed her second year at McGill, is majoring in Biology with minors in Geology and Field Studies. She is particularly interested in ecology and evolutionary biology. Corinne grew up in Lorraine, Quebec, and has lived in Montreal for six years. Her stay at Gault for the Monteregian flora field course last summer deepened her understanding of local flora. This summer, she's eager to apply classroom concepts in the field and contribute to preserving Gault's natural beauty for future generations. Her favourite wildlife encounter is the eastern red-backed salamander.

Samuel Massey

Sam is a third-year Geography and Geology student interested in mapping and GIS. From Woodstock, Connecticut, Sam's childhood was spent outdoors, which fostered his curiosity about landscape formation. This summer, he's looking forward to the invasive species removal project. His favourite plant on the mountain is the eastern hemlock, a shade-tolerant evergreen that can grow up to 30 meters tall and live for over 500 years.