En route.

My passion in life is conservation. Throughout my experiences in my studies, work and hobbies, everything has seemed to lead me back to wanting to allow myself to learn as much as I can about species conservation and the different issues surrounding the topic. 


Currently, I am in transit, on my way to a 90 day internship in Tortuguero, Costa Rica with The Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC), which I received through York University's International Internship Program (YIIP).

Caño Palma Biological Station (Source: www.coterc.org) - Click here for more info about the History of Caño Palma!

I will be participating in a few conservation programs, however I will mostly be involved with the Marine Turtle Study and Large Mammal Monitoring Study in the Caño Palma region. I have been gathering some of my thoughts, and here is a glimpse into why I applied for this particular position, and what I am expecting over the next few months.


Why you applied:
I applied for this internship for many reasons. However, the main reason that I applied was because of my love for turtles and my passion for conservation. During my undergraduate degree and the summer after, I spent two years working for the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Conservation Department working specifically with species at risk. The majority of this work was on turtles, which I then translated into my Undergraduate Major Project. It was that experience that inspired me to dedicate my future and my continued education to the preservation of species at risk. When I saw the posting for this position I thought that it couldn’t be more perfect for what I want to do. Currently, I am completing my Masters in Environmental Studies focusing on biological conservation law and policy. From the work that I will do with COTERC, I am hoping to learn how conservation work for marine turtles in Costa Rica influences policies and laws to further protection for the species. 


What you are expecting:
With this internship I am expecting to be pushed outside of my comfort zone. By learning from COTERC, I will be able to expand my knowledge of conservation and conservation related policies to a more global level, and make comparisons between Costa Rican and Canadian conservation techniques and goals. I am looking forward to adapting to new situations in a diverse learning environment and getting to be a part of the COTERC team.