OFAH Insider: OFAH | Fitzsimons Financial Conservation Internship ends

For eight years the Fitzsimons Financial Group has funded an internship at the OFAH to support the Policy and Program Department activities while giving recent graduates an early career employment experience. Natalie Czajka was 2025’s intern and she is now wrapping up her time at the OFAH.

Natalie began her internship in January, diving straight into classroom hatchery salmon egg deliveries for the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program (LOASRP). She was involved in the program throughout the school year, delivering virtual presentations on Atlantic salmon and environmental stewardship, and assisting students releasing their young salmon into a Lake Ontario tributary.

Natalie has also contributed to many other initiatives, including fieldwork for the Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP) and support for outreach events like the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show and the Under the Lock Fishing Derby. She’s also gained experience on the policy side, conducting jurisdictional scans on fisheries and stocking policies.

Prospects after internship

“I’m incredibly grateful to the OFAH and Fitzsimons Financial for this internship opportunity. I was able to be involved in such diverse programs, and it was the perfect way to start my career and apply everything I’ve learned in school over the years,” Natalie said. “It also allowed me to connect with so many passionate people, and I was able to see firsthand how education and community involvement are essential to protecting Ontario’s natural heritage.”

Following this eight-month internship, Natalie hopes to continue her career in conservation with a focus on wildlife research and management.

Are you interested in being the next OFAH | Fitzsimons Financial Conservation Intern?

Visit www.ofah.org/about/jobs in October and November. The position runs from January through August annually.

Originally published in the Ontario Out of Doors 2025-2026 Hunting Annual

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