Biology/Conservation Student

Turtle Researcher

• Apr 2016 - Aug 2016

I completed another summer term at the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station where I worked on The Bat Lake Spotted Salamander project and the 45th season of the turtle research project. We had another very productive season of research and also took the opportunity to communicate with the public at special events as well as at the research site. The turtle research work is summarized in a blog at https://krystawynnatureblog.com/2016/10/16/a-day-in-the-life-of-an-algonquin-turtle-researcher/ Show less

Turtle Researcher

• Apr 2015 - Aug 2015

This involved research on Midland Painted Turtle nesting and other long-term data in a project conducted by Laurentian University and the University of Guelph. This project has been collecting data for over 40 years. We also collected data on Snapping Turtles, Blanding's Turtles and Wood Turtles. While at the research station I also volunteered my time on other research projects including research on Spotted Salamanders, Blue-spotted Salamanders, and a variety of small mammals including Northern and Southern Flying Squirrels and a number of species of mice, shrews and voles. This work included collection of DNA samples. I was also very fortunate to participate in the making of documentary films including a feature for the Dailey Planet on the Discovery Channel regarding Keri Wilk's work with Snapping Turtles. Show less

Summer Field Technologist

• May 2014 - Aug 2014

Field data collection (forest stand, soil, birds, plants, wetlands etc). Sorting and identifying collected specimens. This involved extensive field work throughout north-eastern Alberta. While doing field work I was responsible for maintaining a range of field equipment (e.g. GPS units, metal detector, handheld field computer, bird sound recorder, clinometer, etc.). I was also responsible for a truck, quads ATVs, and a trailer unit. Additionally I was responsible for making arrangements at monitoring locations on large industrial sites. Field work involved setting up comprehensive sample plots in a variety of remote locations. This was followed by laboratory work at the University of Alberta in August during which I was responsible for sorting, identifying and properly archiving lichen samples. During this period I also volunteered, separately from my ABMI work, at the University dinosaur lab and was able to clean and re-construct a range of fossil materials including scat, bones and teeth of several dinosaur species. Show less

Environmental Technician

• Jan 2010 - Apr 2014

Provide contract services including: field inventories to document flora and fauna; field notations of site observations; site photographs and habitat descriptions; and, nature interpretation. Provide contract services including: field inventories to document flora and fauna; field notations of site observations; site photographs and habitat descriptions; and, nature interpretation.

Intern

• Oct 2013 - Oct 2013

Assist in Blanding's turtle research including telemetry tracking, recording observations, and fitting trackers. Maintenance and feeding of a variety of reptiles. Assist in Blanding's turtle research including telemetry tracking, recording observations, and fitting trackers. Maintenance and feeding of a variety of reptiles.

Environmental Technician

• Apr 2013 - Jun 2013

Benthic invertebrate sampling, analysis and reporting on urban streams. Minnow sampling, identification and stream habitat analysis. Training staff on urban inventory techniques. Benthic invertebrate sampling, analysis and reporting on urban streams. Minnow sampling, identification and stream habitat analysis. Training staff on urban inventory techniques.

Assistant Leadership Director

• 2012 - 2013

Training future counsellors and leaders in youth programming and outdoor and camping skills. Organizing and leading wilderness canoeing trips. Responsible for evaluating and certification of leadership and counselling candidates. Responsible for participant supervision and safety in camp and wilderness locations. Training future counsellors and leaders in youth programming and outdoor and camping skills. Organizing and leading wilderness canoeing trips. Responsible for evaluating and certification of leadership and counselling candidates. Responsible for participant supervision and safety in camp and wilderness locations.

Volunteer Environmental Technician

• 2012 - 2012

Field inventories to document flora and fauna. Field work focussed on identifying Species at Risk. Maintaining, setting and checking turtle monitoring traps. GPS and compass navigation. Field inventories to document flora and fauna. Field work focussed on identifying Species at Risk. Maintaining, setting and checking turtle monitoring traps. GPS and compass navigation.

Co-op and Volunteer Resource Technician

• 2011 - 2012

Fisheries data base control using GIS to accurately locate sampling points and standardize data base. Assist with miscellaneous field work. Assist in telemetry monitoring of tagged Lake Sturgeon. Fisheries data base control using GIS to accurately locate sampling points and standardize data base. Assist with miscellaneous field work. Assist in telemetry monitoring of tagged Lake Sturgeon.

Volunteer - Public Outreach

• 2009 - 2010

Volunteer staff at naturalist events at Royal Botanical Gardens, Tommy Thompson Park, and other conservation areas in Toronto, Kingston, and London. Led family activities, provided nature interpretation hands-on activities, and provided interpretive services at display booth and on trail hikes. Distribute public relations literature and information. Volunteer staff at naturalist events at Royal Botanical Gardens, Tommy Thompson Park, and other conservation areas in Toronto, Kingston, and London. Led family activities, provided nature interpretation hands-on activities, and provided interpretive services at display booth and on trail hikes. Distribute public relations literature and information.