Programs - Biology Internship Program

Programs Introduction | John B. Ridley Research Library | Research & Publications | Summer Student Research Program | Biology Internship Program | Ridley Wilderness Youth Program | Artists in Residence Program | Other Programs

One of the new programs launched by the Foundation in 2006, in thanks to the Margery J. Warren bequest to the Foundation, was the hiring of a summer student as a research assistant to the Park Biologist. The program was successfully piloted in 2006 by a seasoned veteran of the Summer Student Research Program, a science graduate and a resident of Atikokan who worked with the Park Biologist on a variety of natural resource management projects.

The Foundation continued with the highly successful Program in 2007, hiring a graduate of Ecological Studies at Lakehead University who went on to become the Park’s Education and Heritage Coordinator, and subsequently in the summer of 2008, hired a recent graduate from a Masters Program in Natural Resource Management and an avid outdoors enthusiast, canoe guide, and field technician with roots in Atikokan. In the summer of 2009 we were pleased to have hired a recent biology grad with considerable experience in aquatic ecology including fisheries field experience in Australia and Bahamas.

Although the goal of wilderness parks is to allow the “forces of nature to function freely”, this actually requires a lot of management! The Park must balance social, economic, and ecological considerations when making resource management decisions, and monitor the results of the actions taken. Throughout the summer of 2009 Sarah was involved in a number of projects that directly contributed to the management of Quetico:

• Invasive Species Monitoring Strategy: Managing invasive species can be a daunting task. This strategy will guide Park staff in the management, monitoring, and control of invasive species found in the Park and on adjacent lands.
• Benthic Studies: Sampling and collecting benthic samples for long term water quality monitoring.
• Bear Studies: This project involves monitoring bear activity in certain areas of the Park.
• Lake Sturgeon Studies: This project involved netting and tagging of Lake Sturgeon, to collect information on population characteristics, movement and spawning.
• Response of Red, White and Jack Pine to Prescribed Fire and Burns: This is a long term monitoring project to determine if the Park is meeting its objectives as outlined in the Fire Management Plan (1997).

The Margery J. Warren bequest to the Foundation is dedicated to supporting scientific and ecological research in Quetico Provincial Park. Margery Warren, a long time supporter of a number of research and education focused charities, wished to recognize her husband, Edwin Warren for his lifetime career in the mining industry and his interest in the issues associated with environmental protection and conservation. The Biology Internship Program is only one of a number of research initiatives that the Foundation hopes to support with the Bequest. This past year the Bequest was used to also support assays of heavy metal contaminants in the walleye population in the Park.