University of Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Chapter Mission
Committed to connecting students with immersive wildlife experiences, the University of Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society provides a great variety of opportunities to its student base. Throughout the year, our club organizes hands-on workshops such as bird banding and ice fishing escapades alongside social gatherings such as seminars, trivia nights and wild game dinners. We also support our future biologists by introducing them to professionals across the industry and providing chances to become involved in current environmental topics. The UACTWS works endlessly to promote positive relationships between our community and our province’s wonderful wildlife, for the hope that our efforts create many more conservation success stories to come.
President: Norbert Nguyen
Norbert is currently entering his 4th year and final year of the Conservation Biology undergraduate program. His passion revolves around connecting people and wildlife to foster positive relationships. During the summer, Norbert works at the Canadian Forest Service throughout Northern Alberta peatland complexes to assess the success of caribou habitat restoration. In the fall and winter, he acts as the program coordinator for the Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society’s student hunting mentorship program and ice fishing program, introducing dozens of students across the province to immersive hands-on wildlife experiences. When he’s not working away, you can find Norbert fishing Alberta’s big river systems or getting lost in the badlands.
Vice-President: Sola Needham
Sola is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Conservation Biology. She became involved with the chapter through the Student Hunting Mentorship Program and ice fishing events organized by the ACTWS. Sola enjoys connecting people to nature, and has worked at a conservation education camp teaching wildlife identification, plant identification, archery, and other outdoors skills. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, fishing, and baking.
Secretary: Alondra Pineda Torres
Alondra is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Conservation Biology. She has always loved the outdoors, and learning about the environment in school has motivated her to help protect it. Alondra can speak Spanish, has been involved with bird-banding events, and has recently started hunting.
Treasurer: Bryanna Hessian
Bryanna is a first-year undergraduate student in the Biological Sciences (second year at the university, previously in Open Studies). Her goal is to study veterinary medicine. Bryanna has a general passion for promoting wildlife conservation, as well as a deeper passion for animal welfare. Now the club treasurer, her previous role in the club was as an event coordinator. Outside of school, Bryanna works at a cat boarding facility, where she helps with basic and medical care for cats. She also enjoys reading (mainly classical literature) and exploring local areas.
Communications Director: Sydney Van Tine
Sydney is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology. She is from a small town in northern BC with a strong hunting and fishing culture. Because of this, she grew up with a natural respect and passion for wildlife and all things nature. Sydney’s goal is to build a career around wildlife conservation, be able to spend her days working in the field, and ultimately contribute to making the world a bit healthier. In her down time, she enjoys painting, reading, and going on study dates with friends. Sydney also loves camping, traveling, and anything else she can do outside.
Events Coordinator: Umi Sakaguchi
Umi is a second-year undergraduate student in the Biological Sciences, with an interest in animals and conservation biology. She has volunteered for her local zoo to help feed the animals and clean their shelters. Her favorite animals are dogs, penguins, and ducks. In her spare time, Umi enjoys anime, manga, and crocheting. She also enjoys playing any type of sport.
Events Coordinator: Ainsley Freal
Ainsley is a third-year undergraduate student in Environmental Studies. She has volunteered as a Conservation Land Steward with Edmonton & Area Land Trust performing trail maintenance, invasive plant management, and habitat monitoring. Ainsley is interested in returning to the Philippines to support the conservation of coral reefs and the whale shark populations around the southern islands. In her down time, Ainsley enjoys reading and collecting comics (her favourite superhero is Blue Beetle!). She also enjoys caring for plants.
Events Coordinator: Zen Hanrahan
Zen is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology. He has worked in the Wagner Natural Area, where he learned an incredible amount about Alberta’s flora and fauna and became motivated to learn even more. At this job, Zen was involved with bird-banding, setting up transect lines, guiding tours, aiding in citizen science and outreach events, creating weed management strategies, and providing conservation education. He has always been interested in the natural world and is enthusiastic about natural areas.
