Bronwyn Kay

Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?

I currently intern with the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources nene and seabird biologists. I am a Wildlife Technician protecting the island's nene (Hawaiian goose and state bird), Laysan albatross, and wedge-tailed shearwater. I assist the lead biologists with banding, surveying, nest searches and monitoring, the capture of injured birds, responding to avian mortalities, and assessment of the potential cause of death. I also record accurate data using GPS, practice predator control projects for the protection of native species, and participate in public outreach while in the field or at events. In the office, I accurately enter data into Excel and access databases.

What sparked your initial interest in our career?

I have been involved in conservation efforts in Hawai’i since high school. As President of my school's Nature Club, I organized events for beach cleanups, reforestation, and invasive species remediation on the island. I did a summer conservation internship where I worked with seven environmental organizations on Kauai doing similar work after high school, which solidified my desire to pursue Environmental Science. I have since been involved with the NPO Nāpali Coast Ohana, surveying endangered endemic plants and conducting annual reef surveys at Nualolo Kai along the Nāpali Coast. Where I also worked for several years as a crewmember on a tour boat sharing my passion for the ocean and knowledge of conservation efforts and the island's unique reef with visitors. As an active surfer, I’ve been involved with Hawaii’s marine ecosystem for as long as I can remember and have always wanted to continue working on the water, get my captain's license, and crew a NOAA research vessel or be a researcher aboard one.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

My biggest support system is my mom who always encouraged me to apply myself to whatever it is that interests me. She also raised me and my sister without a lot of screens so she facilitated my passion for the outdoors and a career in nature in that way.

What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?

The most interesting thing I do during work is capture and band birds. Since they are protected species, it is special to be able to handle them especially after having seen them since I've grown up. It's also important to tag them for tracking to better understand the population growth and dynamics.

What other jobs led you to your current career?

My work as a tour guide/crew member on the Napali Coast got me interested in boating and Hawaii's marine ecosystem, while my conservation internship through Kupu, showed me what opportunities there were in the conservation field which led me to my current position. I also completed a paid fellowship with EarthEcho International in partnership with the Pacific Remote Islands Coalition where I designed a mural that was completed by students at my alma mater middle school outlining the biodiversity of the atolls and the seafloor in the Pacific Remote Islands.

What are your degrees and certifications?

I have a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo 2021. I am also PADI Scuba certified.

What are your hobbies?

I love connecting with my friends and family surfing, hiking with my dog, looking for shells along the beach, camping, and making art.

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

If you want to have a job in conservation, obtain experience in the field so you can determine which type of work suits you best, terrestrial or aquatic. Be open-minded and take some time to do a couple of internship or fellowship opportunities, ideally while you pursue your degree. In the field, ask everyone a lot of questions and apply for everything even if you don't necessarily have all of the qualifications, that way you can ask questions of the supervisors to see what type of pathway they took that led them there.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

I first heard about the OET program in my senior year of college, but did not apply because I had intended to do a Masters's program that overlapped the expedition season. When my plans changed the following year, I completed an application and was accepted for the following expedition season.