Sable Island NPR Grey Seal Count

Dan Kehler
Parks Canada

Dan Kehler is the park ecologist for Sable Island National Park Reserve, and loves spending time exploring this remote place. He is responsible for coordinating the research that take place on the island, and looks after programs devoted to ecological monitoring and species at risk. Having once tried to count the seals from a moving vehicle, Dan is thrilled to see this project take shape; a great collaboration bringing the power of citizen science to answer an important question for Parks Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Sarah Medill
Parks Canada

Sarah is better known as one of the Operations Coordinators on Sable Island National Park Reserve, but occasionally steps in to cover the Park Ecologist position. Her first introduction to Sable Island was in 2012 as a PhD student studying the Sable Island horses and found that she didn’t want to leave this amazing place. As an Operations Coordinator she lives on the island for 2 months at a time in rotation with other staff members.

Operations Coordinators have the lead role on the island’s day to day activities and are closely involved in island logistics, research projects, visitation, public safety, and the preservation of the island. Sable Island remains staffed year-round, so Sarah has seen all seasons of Sable Island and even has taken part in some of the seal research program’s winter activities.

Dr. Cornelia den Heyer
Department of Fisheries and Ocean

Nell started her research career studying the production of carbon dioxide and methane in lake sediments. After completing her MSc at McGill University, she worked for the New Brunswick Department of Environment monitoring land use in Protected Watersheds and then helped establish the Interdisciplinary Studies in Aquatic Resources at St. Francis Xavier University. Nell completed her PhD at Dalhousie University where she studied the movement of American lobster in the Northumberland Strait. Nell has been working Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) since 2008. She recently became the science lead for the Seals and Halibut Unit. Her research focuses on estimating population vital rates, movement and distribution from surveys and bio-logging electronic and traditional tagging of grey seals and Atlantic halibut.

Audrey Levesque
Parks Canada

Audrey is the Visitor Experience Coordinator for Sable Island National Park Reserve. She helps visitors plan their trips to this unique and remote destination, working closely with outfitters and air transport providers responsible for bringing visitors to the island. She also oversees logistics and program delivery for small expedition ships seeking to visit Sable Island.

Based in Halifax/Kjipuktuk, Audrey occasionally travels to the island to guide groups, including artists, photographers, and leaders of special projects. She has been with Parks Canada since 2001, holding various roles in Visitor Experience and Outreach.