Introducing Marie McCallum, BCLSS Project Assistant

Marie McCallum is our new Project Assistant and will be assisting with supporting stewardship groups and volunteer lake monitors, engaging with community groups to share information and promote best practices, and delivering outreach and communications. Marie recently graduated from UBC with a BSc. in Environmental Sciences. Throughout her degree, Marie participated in the Co-op program where she gained field skills relating to water quality analysis by regularly sampling surface and groundwater. In the final year of her degree, Marie worked in the Integrated Remote Sensing Studio where she developed skills in spatial analysis, mapping, and graphic design. Marie is passionate about environmental protection and is excited to learn more about limnology and stewardship throughout her time as Project Assistant with BCLSS. She is currently located in Nelson and is looking forward to exploring lakes in the Kootenays. In her free time she can be found mountain biking, climbing, and hiking in the mountains.

Marie’s position at the BCLSS was made possible through the Conservation Economic Stimulus Initiative (CESI) which is funding provided by the Province and administered by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF). CESI funding will be allocated to wildlife species and ecosystem restoration and conservation activities as part of the Province’s economic recovery plan. The purpose of this project is to support economic recovery and stimulus, promote healthy ecosystems through conservation and restoration activities, and support the advancement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) implementation.

The BCLSS recognizes HCTF and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for making a significant financial contribution to support the collaborative project, Algal Blooms in BC Lakes, which researches the drivers of algal blooms in BC and supports water quality monitoring and stewardship programs. Without such support, this project would not have been possible.