Bordering Lake Erie and extending across Norfolk County, Long Point Region hosts many internationally recognized protected natural areas and is a refuge for many species at risk.
The region’s conservation efforts have deep roots, with initiatives dating back to 1866. Today, those efforts are continued through organizations like the non-profit Long Point Biosphere Region Foundation. It’s where Katja Kubasta, a Faculty of Environment student, found a meaningful donor funded work opportunity through the KEEN Global Citizen Internship.
Kubasta grew up with a passion for the environment and a love for the outdoors. “I went camping a lot as a kid,” she says. “My parents always kept sustainability top of mind at our house. That’s been a really big influence and why I decided to join my program. Also, in high school, there was the ecology and evolution unit, and I just wanted to learn more.”
That early passion led her to the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability (SERS), where she’s now wrapping up her final term. The interdisciplinary program blends ecological science with the problem-solving skills needed to tackle the social, economic, and policy challenges that often accompany environmental issues – a mix that suited Kubasta’s curiosity. "I've always leaned more toward the ecology side of things, but I like how it lets me look at the bigger picture.”
Through Waterloo's co-op program, Kubasta has explored that broader perspective across a wide range of roles, such as working on environmental assessments for Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, to conducting hands-on oyster research in the Netherlands.
At Long Point, she brought that same passion to a new sector – non-profit environmental conservation. Her primary role was surveying reptile road mortality in and around the biosphere, identifying areas where mitigation strategies could help protect vulnerable species. The timing of her internship also meant she got to support field research during the region’s nesting season; a unique opportunity to observe and catalogue wildlife behavior in real time.
“Reptiles are really important for wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide,” she says. “While we observed many mortalities on the roads, we also had quite a few live reptiles and amphibians that we observed and saved from being hit! These animals put the effect of mortalities into perspective and help us understand the end goals of our project, as we continue to push for stronger mitigation strategies for wildlife on roads.”
Kubasta conducted a total of 586 standardized surveys using an application called FieldMaps, part of the ESRI ArcGIS program. During these surveys, she recorded 216 wildlife observations of which 89% were dead on the road and only 11% were alive.
During her 4-month placement, Kubasta developed a deeper appreciation for the people and passion that sustain environmental non-profits. She was struck by how much behind-the-scenes work is carried out by dedicated volunteers and staff who genuinely care about their communities and local ecosystems. It also broadened her perspective on career paths.
“I’m definitely considering non-profits a bit more seriously now. A big thing in our program is looking beyond just the traditional environmental science or government jobs. There are so many ways to be impactful.”
Now in her 4B term, Kubasta plans to take a year off before graduate school to pursue new adventures. She’s applying for jobs with conservation organizations and is travelling to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. Meanwhile, the important surveying work she oversaw this past year will continue under the direction of two new Global Citizen interns funded by corporate donor and partner, KEEN. They began this work in April.
“These students are the future leaders of our society in respect to mitigating environmental issues and promoting sound ethics, and the more they learn about it on the ground is just fantastic” says Brian Craig (BES ’73), member on the board of directors at The Long Point Biosphere Region Foundation.
Not only is Craig enthusiastic about the potential for future student involvement, but he also notes the collaboration with the University of Waterloo extends beyond student placements. With regular meetings with Environment professors like Dr. Derek Armitage and Dr. Chantel Markle, they are able to align Environment 2035 research priorities and connect faculty expertise with community needs.
“It’s how the road mortality surveying project first came about. The internship allowed us to carry out this important work that we wouldn’t have had the money to do otherwise,” he says. “It shows how meaningful connections between universities and community organizations can drive real progress for species at risk.”
Global Citizen Internship program donors enable committed, talented, and passionate Environment undergraduate and graduate students to apply their knowledge in a work setting at Canadian registered charities and non-profit organizations with local and global reach.
