Jr. Conservationist to study wildlife biology
Student from South Huron District High School was Junior Conservationist with plans to study wildlife biology
Ben Harter is a lifelong Hensall resident who is entering Grade 12 at South Huron District High School in Exeter. His goal is to study wildlife biology so, he said, being able to work at Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA), was “ … a dream come true.”
Ben has worked for two months, at ABCA, as Junior Conservationist.
“I have always loved wildlife and the outdoors, spending my free time at the Bayfield River and learning about all kinds of different wildlife, and even going on school trips to study nature,” he said. When Ben first arrived at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office he was immediately “… inspired by how passionate and amazing the people are.”
“Everyone was so positive and always excited to start the day,” he said. “With each new experience I had, throughout the summer, there was someone happy and willing to answer my questions and they were often looking forward to teaching me about the job. Even after long days, the positivity was never lost.”
Everyone at Ausable Bayfield Conservation is truly proud about the work they do, he said.
The experience Ben says he will remember most is his work with Huron Stewardship Council.
“One of the last days of the summer, I was given the opportunity to go on a survey with them for the endangered Queen Snake, a special semi-aquatic snake that only eats Crayfish,” he recalled. “We spent the entire day on the river learning about the habits and behaviour of these snakes, measuring them and taking data to be able to ensure their population is thriving. For a high school student looking to go into the environmental field, being able to do hands-on research with animals in their habitat was a truly remarkable experience, and an amazing opportunity.”
Something Ben loved during his time at ABCA was that everyone there was excited to give him as many experiences as possible, ensuring he spent lots of time in the field.
“Some of my favourite jobs were taking water samples every week at different beaches, doing freshwater mussel surveys, endangered turtle and snake surveys with Huron Stewardship Council, and going electrofishing,” he said. “Every day was a new and exciting experience as well as a new opportunity to learn about the environment.”
Another amazing program at ABCA is their nature day camp. “Days at the day camp were a lot of fun, as I got to teach younger kids all about the wildlife that I love most and show them all of the new things that I learned throughout the summer,” Ben said. The campers “ … always wanted to hear more, and loved seeing and learning about all of the wildlife around us.”
The Junior Conservationist summer job experience program is funded by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF). This career opportunity for local youth is possible thanks to the people who donate to the Conservation Foundation and who support its fundraising activities.
“I would like to thank Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation for this opportunity because I have learned so much about the environment around us in only eight weeks,” Ben said. “This job has given me an experience which makes me excited for my future beyond my education, as well as a better idea of what field I would like to go into for post-secondary studies.”
To learn more about the Junior Conservationist program, visit the Conservation Foundation projects web page on the abca.ca website.