by Katie Tripp and Kelsey Atalise

Although this year had a shorter than normal season, a lot was accomplished by the biologist assistant crew. They assisted with four main projects this season; assessed lake trout vulnerability to climate change, identified the location of Spiny Water flea, an invasive species in Quetico’s lakes with a Lakehead graduate student working with Dr. Michael Rennie under the Quetico Foundation grant. They also assess the recovery and regeneration of conifer stands after a fire that occurred in the park and helped former biology intern Jared Stachiw, collecting data for his master’s thesis based in Quetico on Red Pine ecology.

From Katie Tripp

Although this year had a shorter than normal season, a lot was accomplished by the biologist assistant crew. This was my second season working on the biology crew at Quetico, the first being in 2018. We had four main projects this season. The first was assessing lake trout vulnerability to climate change. The second was identifying the location of Spiny Water flea, an invasive species in Quetico’s lakes with a Lakehead graduate student working with Dr. Michael Rennie under the Quetico Foundation grant. We also continued a project started last year to assess the recovery and regeneration of conifer stands after a fire that occurred in the park. The final project was with former biology intern Jared Stachiw, collecting data for his master’s thesis based in Quetico on Red Pine ecology.

Although it was my partner Kelsey’s first year working in the backcountry of Quetico, she picked up paddling and canoe tripping very quickly. She was a very good help in collecting field data through her meticulous note taking.

This position has allowed me to gain experience in my field of study. It has exposed me to different topics in biology which has helped me find my main interests, which are fire ecology and dendrochronology. This position has also allowed me to go on several backcountry trips in Quetico. Tripping in Quetico is a unique experience with the convergence of the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence and the Boreal forests as well as the endless number of pristine lakes. Canoe tripping in Quetico for the Quetico Foundation has given me a deeper connection to the park and has allowed me to truly understand why Quetico deserves protection. I hope to return next season and continue to help with the preservation of Quetico.

From Kelsey Atalise

My name is Kelsey and I am from Lac La Croix First Nation. Quetico Provincial Park holds a very special place in my heart because of its dignifying and breathtaking beauty, and also because the Park resides in my former homelands; Sturgeon Lake and Kawa Bay. I applied for this position as a biologist assistant because I have had a keen interest in biology ever since I was in high school. This position has taught me a lot about forest ecology, and how forest fires impact the composition of the forest and also has taught me a lot about aquatic sampling and its linkages to water quality. During this time period of working as a biologist assistant; I have learned that I am very dedicated to preserving the environment as much as I can in order to help maintain the healthiness of the Park.