This year we have two summer assistants joining our program. Ariel will be focusing on work with Species at Risk and Vicky will be helping with a variety of IBA activities. While we are sad to say that we have been quiet on the public programming side, we have been busy behind the scenes! Read on for a hello from both of our summer assistants…

Hi Everyone! 

My Name is Ariel and I am the newest employee at IBA for the summer of 2021! I am currently a student at the University of Winnipeg, working towards my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with a focus on issues in sustainability.

After developing a deep interest in the environment and animals during my childhood, I knew that I wanted to bring that love into my future career and do my part. In the past, I have volunteered with the Green Action Centre and worked a variety of jobs, from barista to greenhouse technician. After a few years of casually watching birds, I decided to take it more seriously, and after seeing a group of Cedar Waxwings out in Bird Lake, my interest in birding exploded! That’s why I am so excited to be working with the IBA team this summer and I am looking forward to hopefully spotting my first Whip-poor-will!

Hello everyone! My name is Vicky Tang, and I am happy to be a part of the team as a Program Assistant this summer.

I am currently finishing my 3^rd year at the University of Manitoba. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences, with focus on environmental and integrative physiology. I am also minoring in Entomology, so leave the creepy critters to me! This will be my first year working with a conservation focused employment and I hope to continue this trend! Starting with IBA, I am looking forward to learning about Manitoba’s native species and developing my competence towards conservational efforts.

I have been passionate about nature since childhood. I love the sounds I can hear being in the forest, and what makes up most of the sounds are birds. So, I am excited to be monitoring birds and participating in field trips to learn more about them in hopes to provide good care to our native bird species.

We are excited to have Vicky and Ariel on board!