South Nation Conservation (SNC) welcomed six students and recent graduates to its team this summer, thanks to funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments.
“We’re proud to secure investments that contribute to our local economy and give talented students an opportunity to work in their field of study,” says SNC’s Communications Lead, John Mesman.
“We are grateful for the hard work and enthusiasm that our local youth bring to support our conservation authority work every summer.”
From working in the forest, to supporting natural hazard programs, or delivering environmental outreach programs such as the popular Youth Fish Camps, students become familiar with the inner-workings of a non-profit organization while getting exposed to a variety of career opportunities and experiences.
“I’ve been working at SNC since 2018, and each summer is more rewarding than the last,” said student Alicia Howse, who recently graduated from the Environmental Science Program at the University of Ottawa, and will be studying law at McGill University, where she hopes to bridge knowledge between science and legislation to protect the natural environment.
“My favourite part of working at SNC is connecting with residents and learning about the diverse ways we relate to the watershed and our natural environment,” she added.
Some of this year’s summer students were Alicia Howse, Gianmarco Maggiore, Tyler Brisson, Hope Boyle, Mary-Louise Sturman and Martin De Langy. They are from different parts of Eastern Ontario, including Rockland, Orleans, Greely, Brockville, and Port Colborne.
We look forward to hiring young and enthusiastic students every summer,” says John Mesman. “They are our future generation of leaders, and will hopefully go on to become good environmental stewards.”