This summer, Islands Trust Conservancy (ITC) is excited to welcome Carlie Aston as the summer co-op Conservation Technician. When asked to describe herself in three words, Carlie shared that she is curious, active, and has an all or nothing approach to her life and work.

Carlie is a fourth-year biology student at the University of Victoria with a minor in statistics. Her studies are focused on ecology, conservation, wildlife biology, and animal behaviour. Born in Vancouver and raised on Salt Spring Island, she is familiar with the uniqueness of each of the gulf islands and the communities and local businesses that make each island so distinct. She is particularly excited to be working for ITC this summer to contribute directly to the conservation and restoration of land that she loves.

“This job is very meaningful to me because I grew up on Salt Spring Island, and the gulf islands I think are such a special and unique place. It’s really meaningful to be in a role not only working in conservation but conservation and protecting land that I grew up on and am personally connected to.”

Over the course of the next four months, Carlie is excited to be in the field, seeing lots of new places in the Islands Trust Area, improving her plant and animal identification skills, and meeting people from different local conservancies and land trusts. “I’m trying to be a sponge. I’m listening to everything and trying to learn as much as I can. I’m interested in it all.”

In her spare time, you can find Carlie hiking with her dog Pippa, birding, practicing her photography skills, rock climbing, and cooking up a delicious meal or baked good.