For Namaha, studying biology is rooted in a lifelong interest in science and the natural world. Now entering her third year at the University of Victoria, she is spending her second summer with the BC Energy Regulator’s Orphans & Restoration team in Fort St. John, gaining hands-on experience in environmental restoration and reclamation.

A natural path to biology

Namaha has always been drawn to science. Biology, she says, stood out because it offers a way to understand how life works at many different levels — from the functions of living organisms to the role they play in ecosystems and the environment around us.

“Science has always been my favourite subject,” she says. “I chose to major in biology because I find it interesting to learn about how life works in all forms.”

Returning to restoration work

This summer marks Namaha’s second year working with the Orphans & Restoration team as a restoration summer student. After enjoying her first summer learning about restoration and reclamation, she was excited to return with new knowledge from her second-year courses and continue building practical experience in the field.

Based in the Fort St. John office, Namaha is supporting vegetation assessments on orphan well sites that have recently been planted, along with site inspections at newly designated orphan sites around the region.

Learning in the field

One of the most exciting parts of the role so far has been the opportunity to work outside and learn directly from the reclamation process. For Namaha, seeing orphan well sites in the early stages of regrowth helps connect classroom learning with the real-world work involved in returning sites to a stable and productive condition.

“It will be a neat opportunity to see the beginning stages of regrowth and how far along these well sites have come from when they were initially abandoned,” she says.

In preparation for vegetation assessments, Namaha has been learning about native plant species in the region and how ecologically suitable species are selected for planting on restoration sites.

Building toward future goals

The summer role is also helping Namaha explore future career paths. With an interest in wildlife biology and ecology, she hopes to continue gaining experience in environmentally focused work and may pursue research or a career in those areas as she completes her degree.

Outside of work, Namaha has a simple goal for the summer: make more time to read for fun. During the school year, she says, coursework often leaves little time for books outside of class.

About the BCER summer student program

Each summer, the BCER welcomes students into teams across the organization to gain practical experience, build professional connections and contribute to meaningful work in responsible energy regulation. Through hands-on projects, mentorship and learning opportunities, students apply their studies in a real-world setting while bringing fresh perspectives and curiosity to BCER teams.