July 17, 2023

RRCA's Cooper Marsh Nature Interpreter, Scott Braithwaite, leads a presentation inside the Marsh's Visitors Centre.

From planting trees to teaching visitors about local biodiversity and maintaining Conservation Areas, 14 summer students are helping the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) deliver its programs and services while gaining valuable on-the-job experience. 

Claudia Munafo, an Environmental Science and Biology graduate from Bishop’s University, currently works as the RRCA’s Administrative and Outreach Assistant.

“I enjoy how the RRCA has many different components: I am always doing something new each day,” she says. “I could be working on forestry and stewardship one day, supporting outreach events the next, and then writing grant proposals or website content.” 

Munafo, who hopes to pursue a master’s degree in ornithology, credits her summer position with the RRCA with helping to improve her interpersonal skills while also deepening various technical abilities such as using geographic information systems (GIS) mapping software.

For Scott Braithwaite, an Ecology and Biodiversity graduate also from Bishop’s University, spending his summer working as RRCA’s Cooper Marsh Nature Interpreter is helping him understand the different ways people absorb knowledge.
 
“It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to share my passion for the environment and conservation with visitors at Cooper Marsh,” he says. “So many visitors already have an interest in nature and wildlife.”

Scott offers free guided walks around Cooper Marsh every Saturday and Sunday. The tours start from the Marsh’s Visitors Centre at 10 a.m. and last for approximately 40 minutes. The Visitors Centre is open Wednesdays to Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Secondary and post-secondary students interested in applying for a summer position with the RRCA next year are encouraged to check the RRCA’s social media and website, where summer employment opportunities will be posted in the new year. For more information, visit rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 or info@rrca.on.ca.