As NWPS Communications Intern, Julie Whittet, concludes her internship with us last week, she reflects on her time spent working with our society. Read on below for a glimpse into her experience over the last six months.

Julie (left) helping coordinate our tree planting event last October

Last October, when I first interviewed to intern with Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society, I was keen to get some hands-on experience working with an environmental non-profit.  Not only did I gain that experience, helping NWPS get their messages into the media and out to the public, but I've also come away with a new appreciation for the everyday connections we have with wildlife.

Thanks to Darren Colello - NWPS' in-house expert of all things zoological – I have learned just how much biodiversity can be found locally, in and around Metro Vancouver.  It has been a real privilege to quiz Darren's encyclopedic knowledge of wildlife when working in the office:  Is it possible that the exotic cat I spotted in the bushes of my ravine was a lynx? Or, what was that strange speckled bird watching me eat my lunch on the patio at Whole Foods? Now, whenever I'm near a waterfront, I'm on the lookout for colourfully plumed blue-winged teals and the elegant silhouette of the great blue heron - and I can now proudly identify the families of house finches, juncos, and spotted towhees vying for their turn at my bird-feeder. 

During my time with Northwest I was able to share this enthusiasm with the broader public, at many events across the lower mainland.  I spoke with the campus community at the Langara College volunteer fair, I joined other preservation groups and local residents to learn about the annual return of spawning salmon at the Hyde Creek Salmon Festival, I even had a crash course in planting a first-stage forest for NWPS' 25^th Anniversary Celebration.  At each event I was impressed to find that people of all ages and from all backgrounds share a genuine curiosity about the welfare of our regional wildlife.

As a recent communications grad, I've been able to explore new ways of using words and images to engage citizens in the stewardship of our natural environment.  Following the lead of Kristine Krynitzki - NWPS' Executive Assistant – I learned that getting a message across is all about finding creative ways of connecting with people: through press releases, e-newsletters, updates on Facebook and blog posts like this one.  I couldn't have asked for a more rewarding internship, and will miss having such a kind and talented team to work with.

Thanks to everyone at Northwest for giving me this unique opportunity to help preserve the wild places that make living in B.C. so special.

 

All the best,

 

Julie