Samara Leake BSc., BiT
Victoria,British Columbia
Summary
Biologist in Training with field experience in various locations and disciplines. I am skilled in research and reporting and considered valuable to both team environments and individual endeavors. I am an outdoor enthusiast, pursuing multiple modes of backcountry recreation such as rock climbing, backcountry snowboarding, backcountry hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and trail running. I am motivated in my work to help protect wild spaces, and restore the relationship we have with them.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Wildlife Technician
Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Precise and consistent data collection and inventory on wild Vancouver Island Marmots in the field using radio telemetry and visual observation
- Accurate and timely data entry
- Live trapping and care of marmots, under direction of the Project Veterinarian including work at the breeding facility
- Backroad and service road driving of 4x4 and all terrain vehicles through difficult access roads
- Working and hiking in steep, backcountry terrain with extensive bushwacking required for access to sites.
Ecological Integrity Monitoring Student
Jasper National Park
05.2022 - 08.2022
- Back country travel using horses, to service remote wildlife cameras
- Alpine phenology site set-up and servicing, to record long term data sets on alpine plants
- Bird banding and bird transects to record endangered bird sightings
- Bat monitoring transects
- Mammal occupancy camera photo classification
- Trail and cabin maintenance on two-week long back country trips.
Vegetation Restoration CO-OP Student
Waterton Lakes National Park
05.2021 - 12.2021
- Hiking in steep terrain to reach study sites in the mountains through varying weather conditions
- Surveying of endangered butterfly populations and invasive and native species
- Tree climbing using sport climbing gear for cone caging and collection
- Data entry and management in Microsoft suite, including Microsoft access and excel
- Habitat suitability models created in QGIS for species at risk projects.
Restoration Technician
British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF), in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC)
05.2020 - 08.2020
- Brush cutting, as well as plant identification, and coastal wetland restoration involving silt fence installations
- Work in varying terrain and weather conditions
- Tidal marsh restoration.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies - Ecology and Wildlife Conservation
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC11.2023
Graduated With A Major in Music -
Langley Fine Arts School
01.2018
Skills
- Report Writing
- Research and Data Collection
- Data Analysis in R studio and Excel
- Proficient in ArcGIS and QGIS
- Bird and Wildlife Surveys
- Summer and Winter Backcountry travel
- Plant and Animal Species Identification
Additional Information
Volunteer Work
· I volunteer in the SURREAL (Simulating Resilient Landscapes Lab) to classify wildlife camera imagery in Timelapse.
References
- Kevin Gourlay, Field Coordinator, Mamot Recovery Foundation, 250-228-9636, kevin@marmots.org
- John Stirrett-Wood, Supervisor in Jasper National Park, 705.340.8852, john.stirrett-wood@pc.gc.ca
- Robert Sissons, Waterton Lakes National Park Ecologist, 403.632.5337, robert.sissons@pc.gc.ca
- Brenda Shepherd, Ecologist Team Leader, Jasper National Park, 780.883.0341, brenda.shepherd@pc.gc.ca
Certification
- Basic Chainsaw Course (2023)
- OFA Level 1 (2023)
- Resource Road Safety Training (2023)
- Managing Avalanche Terrain (2023)
- West Coast Helicopters; Hover Exit Training (2023
- Swift Water Rescue (2022)
- 40 Hour Remote Wilderness First Aid & CPR/AED Level C (2022)
- Avalanche Safety Training 1 Certification (2020)
- Class 5 Driver’s License (2021)
In progress
SVOP: Registered and scheduled to complete December 11–15, 2023
Electrofishing Certificate: Registered and scheduled to complete November 15-16, 2023.
Timeline
Wildlife Technician
Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation
05.2023 - 08.2023
Ecological Integrity Monitoring Student
Jasper National Park
05.2022 - 08.2022
Vegetation Restoration CO-OP Student
Waterton Lakes National Park
05.2021 - 12.2021
Restoration Technician
British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF), in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC)
05.2020 - 08.2020
Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies - Ecology and Wildlife Conservation
University of Victoria
Graduated With A Major in Music -
Langley Fine Arts School
- Basic Chainsaw Course (2023)
- OFA Level 1 (2023)
- Resource Road Safety Training (2023)
- Managing Avalanche Terrain (2023)
- West Coast Helicopters; Hover Exit Training (2023
- Swift Water Rescue (2022)
- 40 Hour Remote Wilderness First Aid & CPR/AED Level C (2022)
- Avalanche Safety Training 1 Certification (2020)
- Class 5 Driver’s License (2021)
In progress
SVOP: Registered and scheduled to complete December 11–15, 2023
Electrofishing Certificate: Registered and scheduled to complete November 15-16, 2023.
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