The RES welcomes intern Jen Willoughby, who was able to join us thanks to the  Direct Action Program through Ocean Wise. This program provides learning and professional mentorship with aquatic conservation efforts across Canada through 3-month internships with partner organizations. She was lucky enough to get a placement with the Raincoast Education Society. She is extremely excited to join the RES team this summer and explore Clayoquot and Barkley Sound!

About Jen:  Water, nature, and animals have always been a central part of Jen’s life. Since childhood she has always gravitated to spending time outdoors. It has been her lifelong mission to have a meaningful relationship with and impact on her environment and the species that rely on it. These passions and a love for travel have brought her all over the world to places such as Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia and Costa Rica. She loves being able to explore such vast varieties of ecosystems and cultures, trying to fully immerse herself into an experience.

Jen completed an Honours degree in Zoology from the University of Guelph. Here she took a field course in Costa Rica studying neotropical ecosystems and a research course with Dr. Georgia Mason studying animal behaviour. While in school she spent summers working as an animal care lead at a wildlife rehabilitation center in northern Ontario with injured and orphaned native wildlife. She was in charge of the care of a variety of species from ungulates to raptors, as well as delivered educational programs to school groups. After graduating she began working as a zookeeper caring for exotic animals such as large parrots and also delivering educational programming to school groups and the general public.

The RES welcomes intern Jen Willoughby, who was able to join us thanks to the  Direct Action Program through Ocean Wise. This program provides learning and professional mentorship with aquatic conservation efforts across Canada through 3-month internships with partner organizations. She was lucky enough to get a placement with the Raincoast Education Society. She is extremely excited to join the RES team this summer and explore Clayoquot and Barkley Sound!