Meet our summer interns
Elyse (left) and Lisa (right) show off some of the native plants they’ve been tending in GOERT’s rooftop garden this summer (photo by Carolyn Masson)
No one can say that our summer interns aren’t having fun at their jobs! In addition to participating in ecological surveys and restoration, representing GOERT at outreach events, working on the bluebird project, and tending our rooftop native plant garden, GOERT’s 2010 interns Lisa Dumoulin and Elyse Parchoma have recently taken up modeling some of GOERT’s promo items — oak t-shirts, silver jewellery and eco-friendly tote bags. To shop for the items, please see www.goert.ca/gifts.
Elyse (left) and Lisa (right) show off some of GOERT’s bling. They are both wearing oak t-shirts by Amy Heggie and sporting our eco-friendly tote bags (photo by Carolyn Masson)
Elyse is in her 3rd year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts program with a double major in Visual Arts and Environmental Studies. She came to GOERT with an interest in assisting the recovery of Garry oak ecosystems and associated species at risk. New to the island in 2008, “I felt I needed to know my new home, its history, and learn how to give back.” Elyse’s key role with GOERT this summer is to work on the reintroduction plan for western bluebirds in this region.
A close-up of our Amy Heggie oak t-shirts and Stuart Duncan silver jewellery: Lisa shows off the ‘tree of life’ brooch that we’re raffling this summer and Elyse is sporting oak leaf earrings and a fawn lily brooch (photo by Carolyn Masson)
Elyse’s activities range from gaining a comprehensive understanding of the bluebird project, enlisting volunteer support, grant writing, photography, and permit research, to coordinating with various partners. With this experience, Elyse intends to continue to support local ecosystems through volunteer efforts and other future prospects.
Elyse and Lisa remove invasive English ivy from the vicinity of endangered Howell’s triteleia (photo by Chris Junck)
Lisa is currently completing her BSc in biology at the University of Victoria. She focused her studies in ecology and approached GOERT for an internship in order to pursue her interests in ecology, environmental policy and conservation. Lisa has taken over some tasks for Kersti Vaino, our staff member who has taken a leave of absence for the summer, and has been busy completing landholder contact reports, visiting sites to assist in surveys and restoration activities, and doing community outreach at a number of events. She will continue with GOERT until October of this year.
Over the next couple of months, Lisa is looking forward to working on the invasive species field manual and assisting Elyse with upcoming bluebird nestbox building workshops. She is also thrilled about two weeks of upcoming restoration work on Trial Island.
The students working the GOERT booth at an event (photo by Penny Rogers)
Read more about the Bring Back the Bluebirds project.
These internships were made possible through funding from the Canada Summer Jobs Program and the The Youth Eco Internship Program.