10 Questions with Claire Wright

Welcome back to another episode of “10 Questions.” From post-doctoral fellows to research assistants, each person has been asked to share their unique perspectives, experiences and stories by responding to the same 10 questions.

This month we are featuring PhD candidate, Claire Wright!

 

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Tell us a little about your background prior to joining the MLP?

Before joining the Mountain Legacy Project, I was an undergraduate student at Queen’s University studying environmental toxicology. I knew that I wanted to continue my studies with a Master’s degree (which has since morphed into a PhD…), but I soon realized that most graduate research projects in toxicology involved hours of lab work. Given my history of melting hot plate cords, exploding glassware (yes, this actually happened), and generally failing to accurately follow step-by-step instructions, I thought it would be safer for myself and my fellow scientists if I pursued a different path – so I strapped blades to my feet and grabbed an axe.

 

 

What specifically drew you to the MLP?

To be honest, when I started looking for a graduate program, I filtered schools by location. My brother and dad had both recently moved to the west coast from Ottawa where I still lived at the time. Seeing all of their photos and hearing about the many adventures they went on in the mountains, I knew I had to get out there. I spent several months researching various programs and supervisors at UBC, SFU, and UVic. In that time, I came across Dr. Eric Higgs’ work in ecological restoration. I read his wonderful book, Nature by Design, and I was struck by his thoughts on history, place-making, and intention in ecological restoration. It was this, rather than the amazing Mountain Legacy collection, that originally drew me in. In fact, I remember telling my dad, “I don’t even know if I like mountains.” How the times have changed…

 

 

What is your research focus or role with the MLP? 

I am currently a PhD candidate with the MLP. My graduate work has three main components. First, I continue to develop software to enable spatial analysis of the images from the Mountain Legacy collection (more information can be found in previous blog posts). Second, I am partnering with the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy) and Paahtómahksikimi (Waterton Lakes National Park) to study land cover change on fescue prairie, a rare and disappearing ecosystem, using the Mountain Legacy images. And finally, I am using the images to map upper elevation change around whitebark pine habitat in Jasper National Park. Overall, my research seeks to integrate geospatial analysis with practical knowledge of restoration to support responsible intervention on the ground. My work reflects my belief that all restoration and management decisions should be made collaboratively in a way that respects the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples.

 

 

Can you share a personal passion or interest that you bring to the project?

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I am very passionate about efficiency. This was the original driving force behind my decision to create software for the MLP as the existing workflows were long and complicated. I have also written multiple Python scripts to perform repetitive tasks such as image gridding and labelling for fieldwork or file organization. Among other things, I also developed a detailed gear inventory for field work preparation with the help of James Tricker and Alina Fisher. But thank you also to Eric Higgs, Rob Watt, Alvin First Rider, and the mountains themselves who have taught me that some things are worth doing slowly.

 

 

What is your most memorable moment from your MLP experience to date?

Working with the MLP has honestly given me so many amazing memories, it’s hard to choose. I think one of my favourite moments was hiking up Chak Peak in Jasper National Park this past summer. It was really exciting for me because we had trouble finding beta for the approach so we ended up consulting the account of the original surveyor, M. P. Bridgland (Description of and Guide to Jasper Park) and planning our route based on it. It was so cool to literally follow in Bridgland’s footsteps. I also had a great team with me (Darcy Benham and my brother, Ben Wright) who made the experience all that much more unforgettable.

 

 

And what has been your most challenging moment and how did you overcome it?

Grad school is full of so many ups and downs, and I have certainly had my share of challenges to overcome. A difficult moment that stands out to me is my first time preparing to lead a field season. I was extremely anxious at the thought of having people look to me for guidance on very intense and often risky missions into the mountains. I was also overwhelmed by the sheer amount of preparatory work required: beta, image prep, gear, rental cars, research permits, safety plans, training, and on. I am so grateful for the support and advice of my fellow graduate students who got me through it. In particular, Sonia Voicescu for teaching me all the necessary procedures for successful repeat photography and exemplifying a calm, competent, flexible field leader during my first field season as a research assistant; James Tricker for always being on call to discuss beta, research relations, gear, and simply when I needed to calm my nerves; and Alina Fisher for making the many logistics from rental cars to satellite devices run smoothly – I don’t know how you do it!

 

 

Which is your favourite camera station and why?

My favourite camera station is probably Station 108. Belly River near Paahtómahksikimi. While I have visited many stations on mountain tops with gorgeous panoramic views of surrounding peaks, I love the Belly River station because of its significance. The station is located near the highway on what is now a timber limit for Kainai Nation of the Siksikaitsitapi. I have had the pleasure of visiting Belly River with Alvin First Rider from Blood Tribe Lands, Kim Pearson and Matt Rance from Parks Canada, and our long term collaborator Rob Watt during one of my field seasons. We were also joined by Kim’s son, Solan. As someone who believes that community and connection to place are the most vital building blocks for stewardship and restoration, it was special to see it in action. 

I am now using the historical and repeat images from Station 108. Belly River in my PhD research mapping fescue prairie around Paahtómahksikimi. The images depict the abrupt transition from grassland to mountains that is found in Paahtómahksikimi. In the historical images, it is possible to see evidence of cultural burning performed by the Siksikaitsitapi and other Indigenous groups to care for the land. Since the imposition of colonialism, the grassland has declined greatly in both extent and health, but I am hopeful that we are moving into a new era of care.

 

Our most important question! What’s your preferred backcountry snack while out in the field (or in the lab)?

Cliff bars of course (sorry James)! But I also love to make microwave s’mores back at the research house… Marshmallow and chocolate between two graham crackers nuked for 30 seconds.

 

 

 

Good gear is essential! What is your favourite piece of equipment for fieldwork or working in the lab?

As someone who is perpetually cold, my favourite piece of equipment that I never leave without is my puffer jacket. It packs down so small and yet it provides so much warmth. It has gear tape on it now (never reach over a camp stove when wearing plastic) and it looks a little dirty around the edges, but it has kept me toasty on so many peaks with more to come I’m sure.

 

 

Sum up your MLP experience in three words. 

Humbling, exhilarating, inspiring.