What initially interested you about the field of environmental science, or got you into it?
I have always had an affinity towards the outdoors, whether it be hiking, camping or gardening. In high school, my friends and I started an Eco-Action club where we discussed how to make our school and community more eco-friendly and other general environmental topics.
Who inspired you in the field of environmental science, or mentored you along the way? How did they shape your path?
My peers in university were a big motivation for continuing on my path in environmental sciences. We all had diverse backgrounds and reasons for picking this degree, but we could all find common ground in learning how to apply science to every day environmental problems. Each person had interest and knowledge in different environmental spheres, such as modelling, recycling and water quality, these diverse interests introduced me to many unique topics and specializations that could be found within the realm of environmental sciences.
What is an example of an interesting project that you have worked on? What made it interesting?
At the U of C I was part of a group who was creating a sustainable plastic recycling initiative based on Dave Hakkens’ Precious Plastic organization. Undergraduate students from Environmental Science and Engineering teamed up to create plastic recycling machines that could be used to re-purpose plastic wastes. While we had an end goal in mind, creating a new item out of a piece of plastic waste, it was more difficult to pull off than was expected. I did a lot of outreach to the campus community, educating people about types of plastic wastes and the current recycling systems in place to process them.
What is something rewarding about the work you do at MSES?
Being with MSES has given me the opportunity to work closely with highly educated and experienced scientists who work in ecology, hydrogeology, water quality and other specialties. It also has broadened my perspective about environmental issues and how it pertains to Indigenous communities and their traditional land uses. It is very rewarding to learn from knowledgeable people and to gain new understandings of different cultures.
In your opinion, what is an ecological issue that more people should know about? What should we be doing about it?
There has been a lot of awareness surfacing about bumblebees and native pollinators in recent years, as their populations are facing major declines. Native bees are sometimes confused with honeybees, but there is evidence that these species can cohabitate. To support your local pollinators, it is important to plant native flowers in your garden. Plant species for Alberta could include Petunia, Aster, Bee balm and Delphinium.
What has been a highlight for you while working at MSES?
In the summer of 2019 I had the chance to travel to New Brunswick to meet one of our clients and to assist with their training in water quality monitoring. It was my first chance to travel to the East coast and we got to spend a whole week outside enjoying the wonderful landscapes!
What is your wildest animal encounter while out in nature?
During a trip to Mexico on a deep-water fishing trip, a giant pod of dolphins went past our boat. There were likely up to 500 individuals, it was spectacular!
What does your optimal weekend in the Rockies look like?
Trying out a new hiking trail, and having a picnic at the top. In the winter I would like to try the tube park at one of the ski resorts.
Do you have a favorite species of plant or animal or a special connection to one? If so, why?
I really enjoy the Aloe plant species. They are very versatile, they can be used for drinks, lotions, for burns and as house plants.
What animal is underappreciated and deserves more love?
I think bats are probably underappreciated because of their beastly looks. They are very important for controlling bug populations and for pollinating a large amount of fruits like mangoes and bananas.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I enjoy lots of crafts such as sewing and painting, and I have recently been playing Luigi’s Mansion 3 on Nintendo Switch.
What is the most interesting place you have visited and what made it interesting?
I visited Yehliu GeoPark in Taiwan, the rocks along the shoreline have been carved out by waves over time to create unique shapes. At the time I was visiting, there was a butterfly migration, so there were thousands of butterflies passing through.
What is a quote that speaks to you?
Everything happens for a reason
Kaitlin has been working with the MSES team since 2018