La Vie est Belle
by Jocelyn Whalen
I remember walking in the back of my aunt and uncle’s property with my cousin, Travis, when I was 18. We were walking in the tall grass and the sun was shining down overhead. I was wearing my sandals, shorts, and a baggy sweatshirt. I had sunglasses on, and my brown hair was hanging down past my shoulders, wavy and wild. We came to a tree line, which marks the end of the property. There is a pile of rocks in the middle of the tree line. As we climb over the short rock pile, balancing on them, my cousin informs me that this is probably a snake hibernaculum. I felt a bit nervous, as I feared snakes at the time (I love them now! – I took part in a reptile biology and identification course where we had to handle almost every native snake in Ontario, and I conquered my fear) but I was excited.
This moment sparked wonder, enjoyment, and adventure in my soul. This was a pivotal moment in my life because I had recently become an adult. I was seriously thinking about my future and my place in this world. I felt a bit lost and lonely at times. My cousin was studying to be a Fish and Wildlife Technician at the time, and I became inspired…
I attended Fleming College’s School of Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences for three years. I studied to be an Environmental Technician. I worked during the summer for two Conservation Authorities. I worked in the field, taking surface water and groundwater samples, calculating flow and depth of streams, performing habitat assessments and fish sampling, sampling invertebrates, and working with world re-known professionals.
Before I started working in environmental science I volunteered. Volunteering is what got me jobs. My first meaningful volunteer experience was with the Ontario Federation of Angler’s and Hunters’ Lake Ontario Salmon Restoration Program. We helped to restore the population of Atlantic salmon from extirpation. We did this by planting trees and restoring habitats and planting Atlantic salmon eggs streams that flow into Lake Ontario.
During the summer between college and university, I worked for the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. I worked in waste management and I completed an Environmental Site Assessment that summer. I met so many great people there. I have met so many great people in my life who are also connected to nature.
I transferred to Trent University where I received my Bachelor of Science with Honours in Environmental & Resource Science/Studies in two years. During this time, I worked with Peter Gzowski College as the Sustainability – College Community Liaison Coordinator. Through this position I developed relationships and partnerships across campus and in the community. I organized environmental initiatives, programs, events, and workshops on campus for students, staff, and community members. My fondest memory is when I took a group of international students to a hostel in Algonquin Park in the middle of winter. We went hiking in Algonquin, practiced winter survival skills and even went skating at Arrowhead Provincial Park. For some of these students it was their first-time seeing snow.
Between my first and second year of university I worked with the Federal government and studied the Great Lakes. I lived on a scientific research vessel, owned, and operated by the Coast Guard.
After I graduated, I worked in sustainable agriculture, food security, education and communications and outreach. Now, I want to educate the masses. I want to share my experiences with others and inspire them to connect to nature and do more, to do the most. You can do anything and be anything you want to be. I did it and I never expected a life like this. I was and continue to be connected to nature and all things living. I feel a deep connection to plants, animals, and youth alike. I want to harness this connection and keep feeding my soul. I want to go north, and I want to travel internationally. I want to explore more ecosystems and habitats. I want to experience all the biomes in the world and see as much as possible. La vie est belle.
About
Jocelyn Whalen (she/her) is currently situated on the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas and Chippewas of the Anishinabeg, known today as the Williams Treaties First Nations. She has a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Environmental & Resource Science/Studies, an Environmental Technician Diploma, an Environmental Technology Graduate Diploma, and she is currently working towards a Bachelor of Education. She wants to connect youth to nature. Currently she is the Environment & Sustainability Commissioner wiht the Trent Central Student Association, a member of several Boards, and many other things. Her passions include hiking, travelling, gardening, and hanging out with her dog, Brady.