Jennifer

Bond

In 2004, I graduated from the School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism with an Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation (specialization in Parks), and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences. In 2006, I graduated with a Master of Environmental Studies in Nature-Based Recreation and Tourism. My thesis focused on whitewater paddlers in Lake Louise, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks.

That same year, I joined the interpretation team at St. Lawrence Islands National Park (SLINP), in Brockville, Ontario. SLINP is Canada's third smallest National Park, but it is one of the most diverse. We occupy only about 22 square kilometres, but we are stretched over 80 kilometres of the St. Lawrence River, in the heavily impacted region of Southern Ontario. Because of our small size, one of our major strategies is outreach and interpretation to create partnerships with local residents and visitors from farther away to create an awareness and interest in the region and its care.

Currently, I am a Park Interpreter based out of the Interpretation Centre in Mallorytown Landing. I am one of two primary interpreters at the Centre responsible for all the programs, displays, and exhibits at the Centre.

The ORPT program, its courses and opportunities (such as the exchange program to Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia) gave me a great foundation in interpretation, environmental issues, and the natural environment. The skills I learned while in ORPT have been essential to my success in my chosen field – one that I am enjoying every day.

• HBOR (specialization in Parks)
• MES-NBRT