Community Bursary Spotlight: Andres Insley
As students head back to school, the Pacific Salmon Foundation is accepting applications for its Stewardship Community Bursary program, which awards bursaries worth $2,500 each to students passionate about salmon in B.C. and the Yukon.
Eligible applicants must be residents of B.C. or the Yukon, show financial need, and be enrolled full-time (second year and above) in a post-secondary program connected to salmon, preferably with some experience in stewardship groups or hatcheries. Please note we will not be accepting students who have received a bursary within the last two years.
Learn more about the Stewardship Community Bursary.
Andres Insley is a passionate salmon steward with experience in restoration and monitoring work across B.C. and the Yukon. Currently pursuing a B.Sc. in Geography at the University of Victoria, he is a 2023-2024 Stewardship Community Bursary recipient.
Read Andres’ Q&A below.
Why do Pacific salmon matter to you?
Pacific salmon support entire ecosystems, from freshwater streams to marine environments. Their decline isn’t just a loss for one species; it disrupts wildlife populations, nutrient cycling, and the communities that depend on them. In the Yukon, I’ve seen firsthand how reduced runs affect both the environment and the social and cultural fabric of many local communities. To me, restoring salmon means restoring the health, resilience, and sustainability of entire watersheds and the people connected to them.
What inspired you to pursue your education at the University of Victoria?
I am currently pursuing a B.Sc. in Geography with a focus on geomatics and GIS because I see the value in using these tools to map critical habitats, track environmental changes, and guide restoration. It’s a way for me to combine my love for salmon with skills that can make a difference.
Tell us more about your experience operating a fish ladder. What did you accomplish and learn?
As a member of the Whitehorse Rapids fish ladder team, I operated the ladder, monitored underwater cameras that helped track fish migration patterns, and even led public tours and school talks about salmon. The team and I also worked with the Whitehorse Hatchery and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to mitigate hydropower dam impacts on salmon. Looking back, the most valuable lesson for me was how the recipe for successful conservation can only be achieved through the combined efforts of science, education, and collaboration.
What are your career goals and aspirations?
I plan to work in GIS and geomatics, using spatial data to restore salmon habitats and support evidence-based conservation.
How has the PSF bursary supported you?
The bursary eased financial stress, allowing me to focus on my education and participate in field studies. It’s also been motivating to have my passion recognized!
What advice would you give to other students considering salmon conservation as a career?
Go outside and get as much fieldwork experience as you can! Pair your passion with technical skills and learn from communities who have lived alongside salmon for generations. Their knowledge is priceless.
Are you a student interested in PSF’s Stewardship Community Bursary Program?
