2026 Seasonal Team Recap
Reflecting on the past few months, the Central Algoma Land Trust owes much of this season's success to our outstanding 2026 seasonal team members. Whether they were out monitoring protected properties, leading local stewardship initiatives, or engaging the public, their enthusiasm left a lasting mark on our local landscapes.
To wrap up the year's main field season, we invited each of them to share highlights from their journey. Read their stories below to explore the achievements, memories, and personal perspectives behind our summer conservation work.
Kaitlyn, Johnna, and Maggie
“I really enjoyed my summer working with the Central Algoma Land Trust as their Bat Monitoring Technician. I already had an interest in bat acoustics before starting the position, so it was an incredible opportunity to learn more about the different analysis softwares and help develop the data management and analysis protocols that will support their bat monitoring work moving forward.
“The most rewarding part of this job have been the invitations from members of the public to visit their properties and use our bat detectors to determine which bat species they have flying around. It was such a meaningful way to connect and engage with the community about bats while sharing our knowledge about how they could make their properties more bat-friendly. Having people reach out to the Central ALgoma Land Trust simply because they were excited to have bats on their property and wanted to learn more about them was so fulfilling, and their genuine enthusiasm made these experiences some of my favourite moments of the summer.
“During my time here, I’ve had the opportunity to see and experience the tight-knit community that the land trust inspires and I can truly say that it is something special that I’m grateful to have been a part of. This summer has opened my eyes to the diverse and meaningful work that land trusts do, as well as the incredible connections and sense of community that come from it. I’ve gained a much greater appreciation for the beauty and ecological diversity of the Central Algoma region, and applaud all the people who come together to protect it.
“A big thank you to everyone I’ve met over the last few months!”
Kaitlyn Plastino
Bat Monitoring Technician
“My time at the Central Algoma Land Trust this summer as an Assistant Field Technician has been incredibly fulfilling, rewarding, and memorable. The work being done through the organization and the projects I was involved in, from species monitoring to community outreach, are invaluable and have given me skills that I will carry forward through the rest of my life. I am proud to say that I was part of something where real, meaningful conservation work is being done and building every day.
“This summer has been one of the best learning opportunities I’ve had, and the education I’ve gained through both my own experiences and the help of my coworkers is more than I ever expected. Through monitoring programs like bluebird boxes, salamander boards, and the trail camera program, I got to work directly with wildlife and get hands-on experience in species identification – aspects of my education at Sault College in the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Technician program that I have been able to build on and expand outside of the classroom. While doing projects like property monitoring, trail maintenance, and site visits, my personal interests in medicinal plants and native wildflowers have been fostered. I was included in many community outreach and education programs, including Junior Explorers and the Explorers Summer Day Camp, where I gained knowledge in aspects of this job I was not expecting. I now have experience with programming and leading activities for children and the public, which is a valuable addition for my future careers.
“The team at CALT has made my experience this summer so joyful, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to work with such passionate and kind individuals. They have all taught me so much about their own interests in the natural environment, from birding to climate legislation, and have encouraged my passions to grow tenfold. I will truly miss working with this amazing team, and I am grateful for the time I got to spend with them.
“Working in conservation has been a lifelong goal of mine, since I was a kid and started cultivating my love for the natural environment. Being able to spend my summer in the beautiful habitats of Central Algoma, working directly with wildlife, and supporting stewardship efforts are dreams come true. This experience has allowed me to build the groundwork for a lifetime in the field of conservation, and I cannot thank everyone at the Central Algoma Land Trust enough.”
Maggie Cameron
Assistant Field Technician
“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Central Algoma Land Trust team, Carter, Corrine, Jennifer and Jazmin. I am in awe of their ability to cultivate a thriving workplace environment, they instilled confidence, allowed room for vulnerable questions and showed great kindness over the season. I truly felt like each day was an opportunity to learn, not just about the complexities of the interconnected ecosystems but also how to function in this field while maintaining good communication within the interpersonal workplace relationships formed.
“I would also like to thank the other seasonal team members, Maggie and Kaitlyn. They were always willing to share knowledge from their own specialties and interests. They were both incredibly dependable, hardworking teammates that never failed to make the day enjoyable even during peak tick season. I am very grateful to them for making this season what it was. This role allowed me to meet and interact with many different people with similar goals, those who see value as more than monetary gain. Most memorable was being able to celebrate the organization’s 25th anniversary with the board members, friends and family, and of course the community supporters from all over. It was a privilege to speak to so many unique individuals with their own stories and commitments to the natural world.
“The duties of this job amplified the power of community-based protections and conservation. In unsure times, it truly showed the importance of civilian science, not only in terms of data collection which allows us to see what species and ecotypes are being protected currently, but in the determination to make long lasting change for the benefit of natural spaces and all the native creatures that inhabit them.
“Although not long, my time spent working to conserve the incredible local ecosystems was the honour of a lifetime, I am very grateful to everyone who made this possible and even more so to those continuing with this vital line of work.”
Johnna Lepore
Assistant Field Technician
Thank you to the Friends of Central Algoma Land Trust, the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for providing funding that directly supported this year’s seasonal positions. We also extend our sincere appreciation to all members and supporters of the Central Algoma Land Trust. Your generosity makes our conservation efforts possible.
The Central Algoma Land Trust depends on the generous support of our local community to carry out our work. Please consider making a donation to help advance conservation efforts across the Central Algoma region. Your contribution will help protect the natural spaces and wildlife that make this area so special.
