Prepared  For:  

 

 

 

Prepared  By:  

Amphibian  Breeding  Surveys  Assessment  Report  -­‐      

Gunn’s  Hill  Wind  Farm    

Amphibian  Breeding  Habitat  Report    

Prowind Canada Inc. 19 Bold Street, Unit 2B Hamilton, ON L8P 1T3  

Nigel Finney, B.E.S. 15 Derry Street Guelph, ON N1E 2B7

August 23, 2011

Updated: December 18, 2013

Page  |  1      

Table  of  Contents    1.0 Background ................................................................................................ 2 2.0 Amphibian Survey Methodology................................................................. 2 3.0 Survey Results………………………………………………………………..… 4 4.0 Significant Wildlife Habitat Analysis………………………………………...… 5 5.0 Discussion……………………………………………………………………….. 5 6.0 Significance Determination…………………………………………………….. 7 7.0 Qualifications .............................................................................................. 7 8.0 References………………………………………………………………………. 8

List  of  Figures    Figure 1 – Map of Amphibian Breeding Survey Locations

List  of  Tables   Table 1 – Survey Dates and Ambient Air Temperatures Table 2 – Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm Amphibian Survey Results  

Appendices    Appendix A – Field Survey Sheets Appendix B – Curricula vitae

Page  |  2      

 1.0 Background 1.1 Project Description

The Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm is a proposed wind energy facility that will consist of up to ten (10) turbines. Other basic components include access roads, an underground collector system, step-up transformers located at the base of each turbine, fibre optic data lines, a non-Transformer substation, operation and maintenance building and/or storage shed (if required).

This project is proposed to be located in the Township of Norwich, near the communities of Curries and Oxford Centre, approximately 5 km south of the City of Woodstock.

1.2 Purpose This project requires approval under Ontario Regulation 359/09 Renewable Energy Approval (REA) under Pat V.0.1 of the Ontario Environmental Protection Act. As part of the Natural Heritage Assessment (NHA), natural features within the project location and lands within 120 metres were reviewed for candidate wildlife habitat including amphibian breeding habitat. As there was potential for candidate significant wildlife habitat, site investigations were conducted. 1.3 History Amphibian surveys were first conducted in 2011 and the results were included in the NHA that was approved by the MNR on May 8, 2013. Fieldwork conducted in the summer of 2012 identified additional potential amphibian breeding habitat and the appropriate surveys were planned for the next amphibian breeding season. This approach was discussed with the MNR and it was stated that the results of the additional amphibian surveys could be submitted to the MNR prior to construction if the habitat was treated as significant in the NHA. This strategy was described in the NHA and any unsurveyed amphibian breeding habitat was treated as significant with the appropriate mitigation measures outlined in the report. This document includes the original amphibian breeding survey results and is amended to include the results of amphibian breeding surveys conducted this past breeding season. 2.0 Amphibian Survey Methodology

Eight stations were identified, based on habitat, for calling amphibian surveys within the Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm project buffer (Figure 1).

Page  |  3      

Page  |  4      

Surveys were conducted for calling amphibians three times during spring and early summer of 2011 for stations A through to H. Previously unidentified amphibian habitat was identified in 2012 and subsequent amphibian surveys were conducted during the next available survey season in 2013. Survey dates and temperatures are summarized in the table below. It should be noted that stations A through D were surveyed in 2011 for an alternate connection route that is no longer part of the project location. Results remained in this report for clarity and consistency. Table 1 - Survey Dates and Ambient Air Temperatures

Station ID Date Temperature (oC) May 4, 2011 11 May 25, 2011 14 A-H June 20, 2011 23 April 26, 2013 7 May 16, 2013 13 I June 24, 2013 24

Calling amphibian surveys were conducted using the protocols identified in the Marsh Monitoring Program Participant’s Handbook For Surveying Amphibians (Bird Studies Canada, 2009). Surveys were conducted after one-half hour after sunset. Surveyors stood at each station and listened for three minutes. All calling amphibians were recorded within and outside of the 100 metre survey station radius. Consistent with the Marsh Monitoring Program protocol, all calling activity was ranked using one of the following three abundance code categories: (1) calls not simultaneous – number of individuals can be accurately counted; (2) some calls simultaneous – number of individuals can be reliably estimated; and (3) full chorus – calls continuous and overlapping, so number of individuals cannot be reliably estimated.

3.0 Survey Results Survey results can be reviewed in detail on the attached survey sheets found in Appendix B. Survey results are summarized in Table 2 below.

Page  |  5      

Table 2 - Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm Amphibian Survey Results

Highest Call Code Recorded Survey Station Habitat Spring

Peeper

Western Chorus

Frog

American Toad

Grey Treefrog

Green Frog

Northern Leopard

Frog A N/A 2 - - 1 1 - B N/A - - - - - - C N/A - - - - - - D N/A 3 - - 2 1 - E SWDM3-3 3 - - - - - F SWDM2-1 3 - - - - 1 G SWDM3-1 - - - - - - H FODM6-1 - - - - - - I MAS2-1,

SWT2-9, MAS2-10

- - - 1 - -

(1) calls not simultaneous – number of individuals can be accurately counted; (2) some calls simultaneous – number of individuals can be reliably estimated; (3) full chorus – calls continuous and overlapping, so number of individuals cannot be reliably estimated. 4.0 Significant Wildlife Habitat Analysis 4.1 Specialized Habitats and Seasonal Concentration Areas The Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide (MNR, 2000) Appendix Q, Table Q-1 identifies 14 potential types of seasonal concentration areas. Only one concentration area is related to amphibian breeding habitat. No bullfrogs were recorded in the within the Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm project buffer area, indicating that a bullfrog concretion area is not present. The Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide (MNR, 2000) Appendix Q, Table Q-2 identifies 14 potential types of specialized habitats. Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm project area contains woodlands supporting amphibian breeding ponds as indicated by Ecological Land Classification and calling amphibian surveys. 5.0 Discussion 5.1 Species Identified Four species of amphibians were recorded within the Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm 120 m project buffer. Spring Peeper, Grey Treefrog, Green Frog, and Northern Leopard Frog were recorded during amphibian call count surveys. All species are ranked S5 (i.e., secure - common widespread and abundant) or S4 (apparently secure—uncommon but not rare) in Ontario.

Page  |  6      

5.2 Station Characteristics Stations B, C, G and H were surveyed as a result of the presence of wetland habitat. Negative search results for breeding amphibians were noted for these areas. Station A consists of a wooded swamp with adjacent woodlands to the east. As a result of tile draining, this feature maintains water levels well into the summer providing breeding habitat for Spring Peepers, Grey Treefrogs and Green Frogs. Station D consists of a large open water wetland surrounded by a broadleaf emergent vegetation band, treed riparian area and a manicured lawn. Water persists year round in this on-line pond, providing breeding habitat for Spring Peepers, Grey Treefrogs and Green Frogs. Station E and F were located within Black Ash and Silver Maple Mineral Deciduous Swamp communities (SWDM2-1 and SWDM3-3). These areas contained water during the early spring months providing habitat for Spring Peepers and had one observation of a Northern Leopard Frog. The remainder of the spring and into summer the areas remained dry. Station I consisted of a linear drainage feature classified as a Cattail Mineral Shallow Marsh, Sweet Manna Grass Shallow Marsh and Gray Dogwood Mineral Thicket Swamp (MAS2-1, MAS2-10, and SWT2-9). No breeding amphibians were observed in the wetland feature. The surrounding landscape provided habitat for the Grey Treefrog. 5.3 Wetland Habitat Amphibian habitat is present within the wetland communities located on the Subject Property. Evaluation criteria provided in Appendix Q of the Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide (MNR, 2000) as well as Index #40 of the Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide Decision Support System were used to determine significance. Much amphibian habitat on the Subject Property is located in poorly drained swamps with seasonal flooding or palustrine wetlands. Relatively low levels of activity were recorded across the monitoring stations, with only stations A and D supporting multiple species (including both early and late breeding species) and relatively high numbers of individuals. Stations A and D are both outside of the 120 m project buffer for the Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm. These areas provide habitat for early breeding species of amphibian, however they are subject to disturbance from surrounding land uses and predatory fish (station C). For stations E, F, G, H, and I, standing water dried out, reducing the potential for the swamps to support later breeding species. 5.4 Woodland Habitat Amphibian woodland breeding ponds at the Subject Property did not meet all of the required elements necessary to be considered significant wildlife habitat for breeding amphibians (Index #40, SWHTG Decision Support System).

Page  |  7      

6.0 Significance Determination Stations A, B, C, D are no longer within the project area; although the results for these stations are included in this report, the resulting significance determination is not relevant for the final project layout of the Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm. Of the remaining surveyed stations G, H and I were absent of amphibian calls within the feature and therefore cannot be considered significant. Stations E and F recorded some amphibian calls. Both of these features are Candidate Significant Wetland Amphibian Breeding Habitat. Significance is determined by the presence of 2 or more listed species1 with more than 20 individuals observed each. Neither feature meets the above criteria and cannot be considered significant amphibian breeding habitat.

7.0 Qualifications Personnel responsible for conducting site investigation are listed in Appendix B - Curricula Vitae. Both N. Finney and J. Ferguson conducted amphibian surveys and their qualifications are attached. R. Rumney was in attendance for several surveys, but provided navigational and landowner relations assistance only and therefore her qualifications are not relevant to this survey and are not included.

                                                                                                               1  From  the  MNR  Significant  Wildlife  Habitat  Technical  Guide  -­‐  Addendum:  Significant  Wildlife  Habitat  Ecoregion  Criteria  Schedules,  Schedule  2:  Identification  of  Candidate  Significant  Wildlife  Habitat  in  Ecoregion  7E,  listed  species  include:  Eastern  Newt,  Blue-­‐spotted  Salamander,  Spotted  Salamander,  American  Toad,  Gray  Treefrog,  Spring  Peeper,  Chorus  Frog,  Northern  Leopard  Frog,  Pickerel  Frog,  Green  Frog,  Mink  Frog,  American  Bullfrog  

Page  |  8      

8.0 References Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2010. Natural Heritage Reference Manual for

Natural Heritage Policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005. Second Edition. June, 2010.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2000. Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical

Guide. 151 pp. Oldham, M.J. and W.F. Weller. 2000. Ontario Herpetofaunal Atlas. Internet database.

Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources. Accessed July 10, 2011. http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/herps/ohs.html

Lee, H.T., W.D. Bakowsky, J. Riley, J. Bowles, M. Puddister, P. Uhlig and S. McMurray.

1998. Ecological land classification for Southwestern Ontario: first approximation and its application. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, South Central Region, Science Development and Transfer Branch. Technical Manual ELC-005.

Marsh Monitoring Program Participant’s Handbook for Surveying Amphibians. 2009

Edition. 13 pages. Published by Bird Studies Canada in cooperation with Environment Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. February 2009.

Appendix A

Field Survey Sheets

Appendix B

Curricula vitae

NIGEL FINNEY 7 Pearl St., Guelph, Ontario, N1E 2E4 Mobile: + 1 (519) 546-9560 E-mail: nigel.finney@gmail.com

STATEMEMT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Natural Heritage:

• Educated in natural resource management, restoration ecology and physical geography;

• Completed MNR’s Wetland Evaluation System Training Course, Ecological Land Classification Training Course

& NHIC’s Data Sensitivity Training;

• Trained and experienced in MNR’s Butternut Health Assessment Protocol, EMAN’s Terrestrial Ecosystem

Monitoring Protocol Course, Bird Studies Canada Marsh Monitoring Program, Class 2 Backpack Electrofishing

Course, and Chimney SwiftWatch Program;

• Participated in the Ontario's Niagara Escarpment Monitoring Program;

• Developed, implemented and maintained ecological restoration projects;

• Developed, organized and conducted field surveys for species at risk, rare ecological communities, significant

habitat features, compiled reports and recommended monitoring and conservation strategies for Conservation

Halton (CH).

Species at Risk (SAR):

• Coordinated Conservation Halton’s SAR program covering five conservation areas (2,400+ hectares);

! Inventoried and monitored SAR and regionally rare flora and fauna including, but not limited to, Eastern

Flowering Dogwood, American Chestnut, American Ginseng, Butternut, American Columbo, Jefferson

Salamander, Least Bittern, Hooded Warbler, Hart’s-Tongue Fern;

! Assessed and mapped significant ecological communities and features of interest;

! Drafted SAR ecological management guidelines and constraint mapping;

! Conducted ELC surveys for SAR Habitat Regulations;

• Collected, summarized and made recommendations on the at risk status of Puttyroot (Aplectrum hyemale);

• Member of the Eastern Flowering Dogwood Recovery Team;

• Participated in SAR monitoring and recovery programs with Parks Canada: Black-tailed Prairie Dogs/Black-

Footed Ferret, Prairie Loggerhead Shrikes, Greater Sage-Grouse and Ferruginous Hawks.

Ecological Research Experience:

• Assembled and interpreted historical SAR data from various sources to determine target species and ecological

community lists for Conservation Halton’s SAR Monitoring Program;

• Experienced in obtaining and assessing ecological information from a variety of stakeholders (NHIC,

COSEWIC, Conservation Authorities, Parks Canada, Natural Areas Inventory, Museums, University Research,

and ANSI and Wetland Evaluation Reports);

• Completed literature review and analysis of ecological communities for honours thesis;

• Compiled ecological community assessments for restoration management purposes.

Written and Oral Communication:

• Authored Ontario status assessment for Aplectrum hyemale for CWS;

• Authored baseline monitoring reports with the NCC and honours undergraduate thesis;

• Co-authored funding applications with Conservation Halton;

• Developed biodiversity technical reports for Environment Canada;

• Edited manuscripts for the Parks Research Forum of Ontario;

• Presented Conservation Area Monitoring presentations to internal and external stakeholders;

• Communicated and liaised with landowners and stakeholders with the NCC and CH.

Project Management and Computer Systems:

• Created, delivered and managed SAR Monitoring Program with CH;

• MS Access geodatabase management, reporting and assessing experience with CH and the NCC;

• Ecosystem Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring project management with the NCC;

• Participated in Parks Master Plan Planning Committee and assisted in evaluation contract proposals.

Geographic Information Systems:

• Experienced with ESRI products (ver. 9.2) with the NCC and CH;

• Conducted field work collecting, editing and displaying spatial data sourced from handheld GPS and Trimble

Units with Parks Canada, the NCC and CH;

• Experienced in mapping and reporting of SAR, invasive species and ecological communities;

• Experienced in spatial analysis with parks planning with CH relating to rare species habitat, setbacks, and

synthesis of natural heritage mapping to determine management zoning;

• Experience editing, preparing, and displaying GIS data on thematic maps for species status assessments,

wildlife enforcement, monitoring programs, natural heritage zoning and planning, threat assessment, and

habitat mapping.

NIGEL FINNEY

7 Pearl St., Guelph, Ontario, N1E 2E4 Mobile: + 1 (519) 546-9560 E-mail: nigel.finney@gmail.com

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Environmental StudiesBachelor of Environmental Studies, Honours Environment and Resource Studies, Geography Minor,

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, 2007

o Dean’s Honour List, Honours Thesis (Flora study of maintained forest edge)

o Semester Abroad: Murdoch University, Western Australia (Environmental Sciences)

Relevant Courses: Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Assessment, GIS, Biogeography

• Diploma of Excellence in Ecological Restoration and Rehabil i tat ionDiploma of Excellence in Ecological Restoration and Rehabil i tat ion, University of Waterloo,

Waterloo, Ontario, 2007

Relevant Courses: Conservation in Wildland & Resource Management, Landscape Ecology,

Restoration and Rehabilitation, Restoration Ecology, Field Ecology, Research Methods

WORK EXPERIENCE

Natural Heritage Ecologist, Conservation Projects January/2010 – present

Natural Heritage Technician January – December/2009

Species at Risk Intern April – December/2008 Conservation Halton, Burlington, On

• Developed, organized and conducted field surveys for species at risk (SAR), rare ecological communities,

significant habitat features and completed Ecological Land Classification (ELC)

• Updated, compiled and maintained new Element Occurrences relating to SAR in a geodatabase, developed

best management practices, and created constraint mapping for planning purposes

• Coordinated Park Master Planning biophysical mapping inventories, seasonal staff and volunteers

• Participated in evaluating contract proposals, writing funding applications and public consultation

• Managed internal biodiversity database and maintained data sharing partnership with regional agencies

• Assisted in creating interpretive signage and mapping, as well as reporting property encroachments

• Assisted in providing technical advice for the Scenario Development Team for the creation of a Natural

Heritage System for the City of Hamilton

Species at Risk Biologist (Consultant)

Canadian Wildlife Services – Environment Canada, Qc August –December/2009

• Conducted landowner contact and field inventories for Puttyroot (Aplectrum hyemale) at historical and

potential sites throughout southern Ontario

• Prepared a report on the status of Puttyroot in Ontario for incorporation in the COSEWIC Status Assessment for the species

Canadian Rocky Mountains Stewardship Intern

Nature Conservancy of Canada – Canadian Rocky Mountains Program, B.C. May - October/2007

• Collected, analyzed, and maintained field data on biodiversity monitoring programs and implemented site

management protocols, stewardship tasks and restoration projects

• Participated in the Mount Broadwood Heritage Conservation Area noxious weed control program

• Assisted regional wildlife biologists with grizzly bear DNA research

• Developed GIS datasets and thematic maps with ESRI software and Trimble PDA/GPS units

Parks Research Assistant Parks Research Forum of Ontario, Waterloo, On September/2006 – April/2007

• Involved in researching and editing manuscript publications and background documents

• Assisted in producing communication and marketing materials, arranging AGM and conference details, and

general office support

Ecosystem & Species at Risk Monitoring Technician Parks Canada – Grasslands National Park of Canada, Val Marie, Sk May - August/2006

• Assisted with ecological monitoring programs, including; vegetation monitoring, songbird monitoring,

invasive non-native plant surveys and riparian and rangeland health assessments

• Involved in species at risk monitoring programs for black-tailed prairie dogs, loggerhead shrikes, and

ferruginous hawks

Biodiversity Office Research Analyst Environment Canada – Biodiversity Convention Office, Gatineau, Qc September - January/2005

• Researched and prepared various case studies and briefing notes for the Canadian focal point for

the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity

• Assisted in compiling the national review of the UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

• Researched various multilateral environmental agreements for potential biodiversity synergies

Environmental Research Assistant Environment Canada – Technology Strategies Directorate, Gatineau, Qc January - April/2004

• Assisted with evaluations of environmental technology centres research proposals and environmental

demonstration projects, concentrating on clean air, clean water and climate change

• Populated and communicated internet reporting system on environmental funding programs

Invertebrate Collections Intern Canadian Museum of Nature, Aylmer, Qc October - December/2004

• Involved in the primary stages of establishing a Canadian wide invertebrate collection geodatabase for

freshwater molluscs

Ecological Restoration Technician Consultant, Waterloo, On September/2003 - August/2004

• Implemented and maintained private and corporate ecological restoration and rehabilitation projects

• Assisted in researching, designing and implementing ecosystem restoration plans

Shoreline Naturalization Assistant Kawartha Region Conservation Authority, Lindsay, On May - August/2003

• Designed, implemented and maintained public shoreline naturalization sites

• Conducted landowner site consultations and public workshop seminars

CERTIFICATIONS

• Ecological: Class 2 Backpack Electrofishing Course (2012), MNR Ontario Wetland Evaluation System Training

(2011), MNR Certified Seed Collector Workshop (2011), MNR Ecological Land Classification Training Course

(2009), NHIC Data Sensitivity Training (2008), Environment Canada’s - Ecological Monitoring & Assessment

Network: Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring Protocol Training (2008)

• Other: Std. First Aid - Adult CPR Level A (2012), Canada Safety Council ATV Training Course (2012), Pleasure

Craft Operators Card (2010), PADI Advanced Open-Water Diver (2010), AODA Training (2009), Certificate of

Endorsement in French Immersion (2002)

REPORTS, ARTICLES AND CONTRIBUTIONS

• Finney. Nigel A. 2011. Inventory and Health Assessment of Cootes to Escarpment Eastern Flowering Dogwood

(Cornus florida). Hamilton Harbour Watershed Monitoring and Research Workshop. Burlington, Ontario.

• Finney, Nigel A. 2010. Status Report on Puttyroot (Aplectrum hyemale) in Ontario. Prepared for the Canadian

Wildlife Service. Guelph, On. ii + 25 pp.

• Conservation Halton. 2009 Grindstone Creek, Sixteen Mile Creek and Supplemental Monitoring. Long Term

Environmental Monitoring Program. Conservation Halton. Burlington, On.

• Conservation Halton. 2009. 2008 Urban Creeks and Supplemental Monitoring. Long Term Environmental

Monitoring Program. Conservation Halton. Burlington, On. 86 pp.

• Murphy, Stephen D., Sherri Flegel, Joanna Smedes, Nigel Finney, Beipeng Zhang, Katharina Walton, Steve

Henstra. 2009. Identification of pollen allelochemical in Hieracium x dutillyanum Lepage and its ecological

impacts on Conyza canadensis (L.) Cron. and Sonchus arvensis L. dominated community in southern Ontario,

Canada. Allelopathy Journal. 2009 23(1).

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS, ACTIVITIES, & INTERESTS

• Bird Studies Canada: Chimney SwiftWatch Program (2009-12)

• Moksha Yoga Guelph: Volunteer (2010-11)

• Tobacco Caye Marine Station: Belize Meso-American Barrier Reef Conservation Volunteer (2010)

• Njawara Agricultural Training Centre: West Africa Sustainable Agriculture Volunteer (2007)

• Grasslands National Park of Canada: Greater Sage-Grouse Species at Risk Monitoring Program (2007)

• University of Waterloo: Naturalistic Landscaping Team (2003-06), ES Endowment Foundation (2004)

• Conservation Volunteers Australia: Wetland Restoration Volunteer (2005)

• Environment Canada: EC Green Team & EC Youth Network Committee member (2004)

• Ontario's Niagara Escarpment Monitoring Program: Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Program (2003)

JAMES (JAMIE) ROBERT FERGUSON 15 Derry Street, Guelph, Ontario N1E 2B7 | 519.841.1205 | jamesrferguson@gmail.com EDUCATION

Master of Science, June 2005

Focus: Natural Resource Assessment, Biodiversity, Conservation, GIS, Watershed Management Dept of Geography, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario Thesis Title: Modelling Biodiversity Using the Genetic Algorithm For Rule-Set Prediction in the Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve

Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), May 2000

Major: Environmental Biology, Minor: Animal Science Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Halifax, Nova Scotia

TRAINING AND SKILLS

First Aid and CPR Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Volunteer Management Training Tree Preservation and the Planning Process De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations Occupational Health & Safety Due Diligence Compliance Officer Training Teams in Action Fish Habitat Referral Review and Risk Management Framework Accessible Customer Service Training Certified Seed Collector Course, Trees Ontario

Department of Fisheries and Oceans Risk Management Framework Natural Channel Design Workshop Community Based Social Marketing/Fostering Sustainable Behaviour Environmental Farm Plan Workshop Agroforestry Practices (Shelterbelt Design and Maintenance) Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network Training Electrofishing Training Epidemiology and Special Topics in Public Health Canadian International Development Agency Pre-departure Training Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint ArcView 3.x, Spatial Analyst, Idrisi, GARP, and GPS

WORK EXPERIENCE

Natural Areas Technician – City of Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario

September 2012 – present Duties: Assisted with the coordination and implementation of the naturalization program and other related projects that involve community partners; acted as an ambassador to the City's Natural Areas Program through educational activities with schools, businesses, and community groups; coordinated and supported other City staff and volunteers on stewardship and

naturalization projects, while ensuring the health and safety of the participants; maintained, monitored, and provided input on stewardship and naturalization sites; organized logistics required to deliver stewardship and naturalization events, this included scheduling events, loading and transporting plant material and equipment, preparing sites, and securing all related planting supplies; assisted with ordering and tracking of plant material for naturalization events; maintained accurate database and mapping records on events, project locations, project details and contacts.

Resource Planner – Grand River Conservation Authority, Cambridge, Ontario October 2008 – September 2012

Duties: reviewed and provided a statement of the Authority’s position, and conformance with policies, on all Planning Act applications, permits, solicitor inquiries, gravel pit licenses, environmental assessments, municipal drains, subwatershed studies, and other development proposals; coordinated reviews of plans of subdivision and other large proposals; conducted meetings within and outside of the GRCA and preformed field inspections; attended multi-disciplinary and multi-agency steering committees, Council meetings, and open houses as the Authority representative; reviewed, prepared, and presented policy documents, position statements, and reports; encouraged activities that generate support within communities for the health and enhancement of the watershed’s natural resources.

Agriculture Program Coordinator - Credit Valley Conservation, Mississauga, Ontario August 2007 – October 2008

Duties: worked with agricultural producers within the Credit Valley Watershed to develop Water Quality Improvement Plans; provided technical assistance to ensure completion of beneficial management practices; presented applications to the Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group; assisted with other Credit Valley initiatives such as volunteer tree planting, youth education, stewardship workshops, climate change adaptability, subwatershed studies, etc.

Soil and Water Conservation Technician - Grand River Conservation Authority, Cambridge, Ontario

November 2006 – July 20007 Duties: worked with rural landowners to develop applications to the Rural Water Quality Program; provided technical assistance to ensure completion of projects; prepared and presented project files to Review Committee; conducted field surveys and site assessments; organized and maintained data and project files; helped coordinate, organize, and implement community based environmental activities such as Earth Day and Children’s Water Festivals; developed displays, exhibits, and promotional materials for programs.

Buffer Assessment Intern - Grand River Conservation Authority, Cambridge, Ontario July 2006 – November 2006

Duties: assessed riparian buffer health; conducted field work involving electrofishing, benthic sampling, and vegetation monitoring; created promotional materials for conservation programs/practices and attended community events; assisted Conservation Services with extension work involving the Rural Water Quality Program.

S@GE Module Instructor - Dept of Geography, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario May – June 2006

Duties: developed and conducted a module on The Geography of Natural Hazards for the Science At Guelph Experience (S@GE) Spring Camps for Grade 7 and 8 students; involved lectures and sedimentary processes equipment demonstrations.

WORK EXPERIENCE (CONT.)

GIS Consultant - Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario February 2005 – March 2006 Duties: provided GIS expertise on issues relating to public health, syndromic surveillance, West Nile virus, and gastrointestinal disease outbreaks; acquired geospatial data; geo-coded data; mapped and analyzed data; modelled zoonotic diseases; wrote reports.

Research Assistant - Dept of Land Resource Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario April 2004 – December 2004 Duties: assisted in a research project involving the movement of nitrogen through soil profiles based on cover crops, manure treatments, and fertilizers applied at different times and rates.

Teaching Assistant / Instructor - Dept of Geography, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario Fall 2002/2003; Winter 2003/2004; Spring 2004, Spring 2006 Courses: GEOG*2420, SOIL*3600, GEOG*3480, GEOG*2480, GEOG*3480, GEOG*2210 Duties: assisted in the preparation of labs; conducted labs with 10 – 25 students, in the areas of Aerial Photo Interpretation, Introduction to Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, Cartographic Methods, and instructed the distance education courses Tourism and Environment and Environment and Resources; consulted with students; invigilated exams; and prepared and graded labs, mid-terms and final exams.

Resource Conservation Planner Intern - NS Dept of Natural Resources, Kentville, Nova Scotia

August 2001 - July 2002 Duties: developed a document for the Wildlife Division on habitat stewardship in the agricultural landscape of Nova Scotia, researched initiatives locally, nationally, and internationally; met with professionals to discuss the issues as applicable to NS; established and coordinated a focus group to assist with the development of the strategy; and performed techinical and field related responsibilities as required, such as wildlife sampling, GPS, wetland assessments, and riparian conservation.

Program Assistant - NSAC International, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, Nova Scotia May 2001 – June 2001 Duties: assisted in the preparation of International Research Day; participated in a “Community Initiatives Workshop”, which included a week long trip to Digby and Annapolis counties in Nova Scotia; and assisted with the delivery of materials to international delegates.

Canadian International Development Agency Intern - Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China September 2000 – March 2001 Duties: participated in a Community Based Conservation Management project; collected and analyzed environmental data for pesticide residues and heavy metal contamination of food, water, and soil with Chinese scientists and researchers; formulated a report to be presented back to the community; and attended workshops on waste management, GIS, agricultural and ecological biodiversity, and monitoring.

Research Assistant - Dept of Plant Science, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, Nova Scotia April 2000 – August 2000; May 1998 – August 1998 Duties: collected and analysed data on dairy cattle pasture research; developed pasture infrastructure; collected rumen and blood samples; conducted biweekly assessment of forage; and assisted in country-wide survey of dairy farms.

WORK EXPERIENCE (CONT.)

Research Assistant - NS Dept of Agriculture and Marketing, Truro, Nova Scotia

May 1999 – September 1999 Duties: maintained small plot forage trials for Production Technology Branch; included existing plots and establishing new trials; seeded, fertilised, harvested, and collected samples; conducted cultivar evaluations of corn; and data entry.

VOLUNTEER WORK

Conservation Halton, Ecosystem Restoration and Species at Risk Program (2011/12) Moksha Yoga Guelph (2010/11/12) Peace Core Crew, Hillside Festival (2011/2012/2013) Two Rivers Buying Club, Ontario Natural Food Co-op (2010/11/12) Grand River Conservation Authority, Staff Association Executive (2007/2010/11/12) Spring Migration, Long Point Bird Observatory, Long Point, Ontario (2008) Guelph Race Series, Guelph, Ontario (2005/06/07) The Arboretum Plant Sale, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (2005/06) Judge, Canadian Cartographic Association - President’s Prize Competition (2004) Guest Lecturer, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (2002/03/04) Member, Minas Basin Working Group, Bay of Fundy Ecosystem (2001/02) English Corner, start up and attendance, Fuzhou, China (2000/01) Immersion Service Learning, Cuba (2000)

ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ACTIVITIES, AND INTERESTS

Member, Field Botanists of Ontario, 2011/2012 Nominated for Teaching Assistant of the Year Travelled to Cuba, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, and Mexico Experiencing new cultures and learning new languages Hiking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, running, volleyball, canoeing, reading Learning new plant, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal identification skills along with

bird and frog calls