Keynote speaker: Nadia Ménard (Parks Canada)

Title: Science for the conservation of the St. Lawrence beluga 

Biography: 

During her studies in biology, Nadia Ménard had decided not to seek to work on marine mammals, orienting herself more towards the ecotoxicology of aquatic food webs. Her career path decided otherwise when she accepted a job working at what was to become the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. Beluga whale conservation initiatives and economic development projects have proliferated over the years in the population's summer habitat, all requiring up-to-date scientific knowledge to ensure informed decision-making. As ecosystem scientist at Parks Canada, her work offers tangible examples of the application of conservation biology.