Blaire hails from Nelson, BC, where she settled after completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Northern British Columbia. Her work as a wildlife technician with the BC Government involved the conservation and management of the Rocky Mountain Northern Leopard Frog. This highly-endangered race of frogs is now limited to just one single remnant population near the town of Creston, and these animals are now the subject of Blaire’s MSc thesis. She will be using a combination of methods to provide much-needed information on the habitat and upland movement patterns of these frogs. In addition, Blaire’s thesis brings focus on the looming threat posed by the invasive Bullfrog.

Blaire’s study site is located within the traditional and unceded lands of the Ktunaxa Nation. Dr. Leigh Anne Isaac, Provincial Herpetofaunal Specialist, is co-supervisor on Blaire’s thesis.