Students

Convocation ‘25: Emily Mahon, BSc Environmental & Conservation Sciences

Donna McKinnon - 12 June 2025

 

For Emily Mahon, studying conservation biology was an inevitable outcome of a prepared mind. It’s in her blood. Her mother graduated from the same program and her childhood heroes were all environmental conservationists. A love of the outdoors sealed the deal. Not only was it a good fit, it exceeded her expectations. 

Throughout her academic journey, Emily has savoured experiences of all kinds, from having her first taste of moose during the in the Yukon to forging new friendships in New Zealand as part of a semester abroad at the University of Ōtago Exchange. These experiences, along with her coursework and many student club roles and initiatives, were all opportunities to learn and grow as a person and as an environmental educator — a long-standing priority for her. 

“My five years at the U of A were a collection of small, meaningful moments that I’m sure I will look fondly on in the years to come,” she says. 

For the last two summers, Emily has worked as a in Kananaskis Country — a role she is excited to return to after convocation. Beyond that, her future promises more travels, new adventures and meaningful work in one of the many career paths available to her as a conservation biology graduate. 


Congratulations Emily!

 

What program are you graduating from?

Bachelor of Science in Environmental & Conservation Sciences, majoring in Conservation Biology. 

What led you to choose your current area of study, and why the U of A for your studies?

My mom graduated from the ֱ with a degree in conservation biology in 1999, which is how I found out about the program! Growing up I was amazed at her ability to identify birds and plants and wanted to learn how to do that too. I have always loved spending time outside and my childhood heroes — the Kratt Brothers and Bindi Irwin — are conservationists, so conservation biology seemed like a great fit from a young age. I originally wanted to go to medical school afterwards, but after my first year I knew that I absolutely wanted to pursue a career in conservation instead! Going to the U of A allowed me to stay close to family and learn about the ecology of the area where I’d grown up on a deeper level. 

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at the U of A?

In Winter 2023, I did a semester abroad at the University of Ōtago Exchange in Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand, and spent four months learning to surf, hiking (or “tramping”) through temperate rainforests, seeing more endemic birds than I can count and meeting amazing people from all over the world, some of whom have become dear friends! I also had the opportunity to participate in the U of A’s iconic in the Yukon in the 2024 Winter term. By the end of the ten days we spent up north I had learned how to skin a moose leg and eaten some tasty moose meals, learned from many incredible Elders, hiked for hours across frozen lakes and snow-capped mountains and grown close to classmates who I might not have gotten to know otherwise. The friendships forged during the Yukon field course are some of the most valuable things I got from my degree. 

While those two experiences are certainly gems of my time at the U of A, my five years here were a collection of small, meaningful moments that I’m sure I will look fondly on in the years to come. 

Tell us about your favourite professor and/or class.

Besides the Yukon field course (), I enjoyed the (Field Skills in Environmental, Conservation and Forest Sciences) summer field course, which allowed us to put our theoretical skills to the tests in sites around the Aspen Parkland (are you sensing a theme here?). I really enjoyed (Conservation and Management of Endangered Species) which gave an interesting overview of how we assign status to species and the role we can play in preventing their loss. I also loved (Introduction to Plant Identification), which I enjoyed so much that I came back as an undergraduate teaching assistant in 2022, and (Wildlife Biodiversity and Ecology) which give me the skills to tackle the questions most intriguing to any nature enthusiast: what the heck is that plant I always see and that bird I always hear? 

As for instructors, , and were all incredibly passionate lecturers from whom I not only gleaned knowledge about the course material but also a deeper understanding of the scientific process and our responsibilities as researchers and science communicators.   

Did you take on any leadership roles while you were a student?

This past year I served as the social executive for the (ECSA). The ECSA 2024-25 team was passionate and eager to try new things, and with their support I was able to establish two never-before-done initiatives for the ECSA: a talent show and . Attending ECSA events was a consistent highlight of my university experience and it was a great feeling to be able to organize events for the ENCS student community in my final year! 

Did you face any significant obstacles or challenges during your program?

Since I started university in 2020, all but one of my first year classes and most of my second year classes were online and/or asynchronous (because of COVID-19). It was quite hard to meet people in those early years, and like many of us, I struggled with my mental health quite a bit. Joining clubs to meet new people, working some jobs where I was lucky to have amazing coworkers, knowing when to ask for mental health support and leaning on family and friends were all essential to get through those first years.   

What advice do you have for current and future students?

  • Get involved in anything that interests you, even if it isn’t related to your degree. The U of A has an active campus with a ton of clubs catering to practically every interest: I was involved in Model U.N., , the ECSA and , the campus radio station. Each of them taught me something totally different and introduced me to new people, and I got to fulfill a lifelong goal of hosting a radio show!
  • Reach out to professors or groups who are doing work that interests you. A friendly email or conversation could be the first step to a research project, a teaching or research position or a friendship.
  • I was able to get permission to take a few option courses that weren’t strictly related to conservation biology but were relevant to my personal and/or professional development goals. I got to branch out and get involved in other faculties, which was awesome — so if there’s a course outside of ALES that looks interesting, don’t be afraid to ask about it! 
  • In general, I think my biggest lesson from my degree is simply that if something interests you, you can always ask. 

How do you plan on celebrating convocation?

Seeing my family and enjoying as much time as I possibly can with my friends before we all go off on our next adventures! 

What's next after graduation?

I’m heading back to Kananaskis Country for my third season as a with ֱ Parks. After that, I’m planning a cross-country trip with a friend I met during my study abroad term to celebrate both of our graduations! 

Going forward, I hope to work in science communication, nature interpretation or environmental education. And hopefully go on lots of hikes and play lots of banjo!