A look back on two years of conservation, community, and unforgettable adventures across Manitoba.
As the seasons shift from a very short spring to a beautiful summer breeze, so too does my time at Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Manitoba Chapter. It’s bittersweet, but the rumours are true: it is my last week as a Conservation Campaign Officer (not to be confused with a Conservation Officer!).
Looking back, it is hard to believe just how much has happened since my first day. I started as a part-time student just months away from graduating from the University of Manitoba with my Environmental Studies degree, and beginning my first ‘Big Girl Job’. Jumping headfirst into the world of conservation, it was a moment when years of school work, papers, and all the late-night studying suddenly had a real-world purpose. I really had no idea what the next few years had in store for me.
And am I ever grateful for what these years brought.
How it all began and the adventures taken
It would be impossible to capture every single meaningful moment over the past couple of years into just one blog. But there are a few memories that stand out.
Within my first few weeks I knew this was where I was meant to be (thank you to the weekly staff trackers for reminding me). I joined the Conservation team on a road trip to Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation, approximately 3 hours north of Winnipeg where I got to sit in on my first ever meeting with our partners. Later in the same week, I joined the crew at the Legislature building, met Minister Moses and attended my first ever meeting in the Leg! Following this, I joined the education team for a field trip, and began planning an event in Churchill. All the while, I was getting used to my new role but quickly realised that no two-days are the same at this place. There are always moving parts, new adventures, new briefing notes to be made, and new people to meet. Was I overwhelmed? Absolutely! – Was I beaming and telling anyone I could how much I love my new job? Double absolutely (to my friends and family who listened to me gab about how amazing this job is over the years – ya’ll are the best!)
Over time I only grew more fond of the work and the people that make CPAWS so special. I got to travel to beautiful locations in Manitoba that I had never been too before including Fox Lake for the Kitaskeenan Kaweekanawaynitamuk Gathering, the western sandy shores of Lake Winnipeg near Matheson Island, Fisher River Cree Nation, and Kinonjeoshtegon, and countless visits to the beautiful Interlake communities – where many sunset drives home were enjoyed.
My best (and most talked about) honourable mention is the day I got to join the Education team on a pond inquiry – for catfish and climate change – if you haven’t already, check out the blog to learn more.
While not everyday involved outdoor adventures, the vibrant office life is something I can never forget. I learned countless new skills, got out of my comfort zone, found new interests, wrote a couple blogs (go check them out dude – frogs and fish are pretty great if you ask me), dove deep into species data and learned how to map using tools like ArcGIS – a geographic software with which I developed a real love-hate relationship with. If you know, you know.
I could go on and on forever about all the highlights and memories I have had over the past two years, but I’ll leave it at this; the saying is true. If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
This isn’t Goodbye
This isn’t a goodbye blog, but see you soon.
I’ll miss the daily office banter, the weekly meetings that somehow always get side tracked, the laughter, the sidequests (we did plenty of work too, I promise), the passionate conversation about the latest TV shows, and most of all the kindness of every person who has walked into the office doors (PS. you absolutely HAVE to stay tuned for the beautiful new things that are coming to the Corydon office – I know I am.)
The passion, drive, lessons, knowledge, teachings and connections that have warmed my heart over the better part of two years will stay with me forever. While my role may be changing, my love for conservation and protecting the beautiful regions of Manitoba that I call home, will certainly never change.
I will forever be grateful for the CPAWS Manitoba team for taking the chance on the new graduate and helping me grow into the person I am today.
It’s not a goodbye blog because knowing this amazing team, I’m sure we will meet on a trail, at a nature event, or even just strolling through the park or down the streets of Corydon. I will see you soon.
Until then, thank you CPAWS and all the people who have made these years some of the best of my life.
Love Nadia – the Conservation Campaign Officer
Read more blogs, or dig deeper into some of Nadia’s stories:
A fan favourite: Frog blog
Based on Nadia’s favourite pastime, she teaches us all, How to Start Fishing
Nadia joins the Ed Team to rescue a pond: Climate Change in the Classroom