Willy Macpherson Email & Phone Number

-Career honours student at Lasalle Secondary School.-2.5 years experience working retail and customer support at Kingston Paint and Decorating.-Current undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, majoring in marine biology.-Worked with the OFAH and Cataraqui Conservation Authority in an invasive species management role. In this position I have:• Gained skills on identification and removal of invasive species both terrestrial and aquatic.• Worked with Parks Canada to remove invasive European water chestnut populations.• Created and presented informative presentations to youth groups such as The Next Cast, as well as groups including the Charleston Lake association and Friends of Lemoine Point.• Worked to develop an in-depth Invasive Species Management Plant (ISMP) through research of other conservation authorities and our own experience to be presented to my employers.• Worked with Ducks Unlimited to help develop new drone technology to spot invasive aquatic species

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  Invasive Species Summer Technician

  Cataraqui Conservation

  May 2024 - Present - Ontario, Canada

  Working as part of the OFAH Hit Squad, my role is to monitor, remove and make plans involving high risk invasive species in the Cataraqui Region. Our main focus was the trails in the conservation lands, and the waters surrounding the Charleston Lake region. We worked to remove water soldier populations oon Red Horse Lake, and monitored other neighbouring lakes for any potential spread. Monitored and did removals along trails at Little Cataraqui Creek, Lemoine Point, and Parrots Bay conservation areas, as well as the Cataraqui Trail. During my time employed I also learned valuable skills such as doing electro-fishing certification, doing presentations for multiple groups such as the Charleston Lake Association, Friends of Lemoine Point, and The Next Cast youth fishing program. I also got a chance to work with Ducks Unlimited and learn about their drown technology project and help them develop a new way to monitor for water soldier specifically from the skies.

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  University Of Guelph