who we are.
our values.
We strive to foster an environment where all individuals—each bringing their unique backgrounds, experiences, lived realities, and aspirations—feel valued, respected, and supported. To guide our work and relationships, both within our group and with our partners, we uphold the following core values:
humility.
Humility means recognizing the limits of our knowledge and being open to learning from others, whether they are colleagues, partners, or community members. When working across knowledge systems and lived experiences, humility encourages us to approach every interaction as an opportunity to listen deeply, acknowledge expertise outside academia, and embrace collaborative solutions.
accountability.
Accountability is central to building trust in research and partnerships. We take responsibility for the impacts of our work, the commitments we make, and the relationships we build. This includes being transparent about our goals, ensuring our research is ethically sound and accessible, and following through on promises to collaborators and communities.
respect.
Respect underpins all aspects of our work. It means valuing the voices, perspectives, and rights of everyone involved, whether academic peers, Indigenous Knowledge holders, land users, or others that contribute to our shared goals. Respecting different knowledge systems and lived experiences ensures that our research is not only scientifically rigorous but also culturally and socially meaningful.
Together, these values shape the way we approach wildlife ecology and conservation, striving for research that is inclusive, ethical, and impactful for all involved.
our name.
WWALK is a lab where diverse ways of knowing converge to address pressing challenges in wildlife ecology and conservation. Grounded in scientific rigor and collaboration, our work is powered by community-driven approaches that weave together Western science, Indigenous Knowledge, and lived experience. We are committed to co-producing knowledge that not only supports effective wildlife management and ecological resilience but also uplifts cultural sustainability and serves the needs of diverse communities.
The name WWALK embodies our mission and values. It stands for Weaving Wildlife and Land-based Knowledges, a reflection of our core belief in the transformative power of bringing multiple perspectives together. Beyond the acronym, "walk" holds a deeper resonance—it represents the journey we take alongside our partners, communities, and collaborators. Walking symbolizes deliberate, grounded movement, an act of connection and reciprocity with the land and all who call it home. It’s a reminder to approach our work with humility, respect, and care as we navigate the landscapes and relationships that shape our research.
At its heart, WWALK is built on the understanding that conservation is about more than ecosystems and species—it’s about relationships. Relationships between people, wildlife, and the lands we share. Relationships between knowledge systems, worldviews, and lived experiences. By honoring these connections, we strive to create research that is not only scientifically impactful but also deeply meaningful, contributing to a future where conservation is inclusive, ethical, and rooted in reciprocity.
principal investigator.
Dr. Allyson Menzies (she.her.hers)
Ally, of mixed Métis and settler descent, was born on Treaty 2 territory, where her connection to the natural world first took root. Her love for the land grew through childhood adventures on the prairies—camping and fishing with her dad and siblings, swimming with cousins, chasing geese through wheat fields, and marveling at prairie sunsets and thunderstorms. These experiences sparked a deep curiosity and passion that has become a lifelong journey to understand and conserve the natural world.
Her academic path began on Treaty 1 territory at the University of Winnipeg, where she studied the physiology and behavior of hibernating bats. She then went to McGill for her PhD, where she focused on winter ecophysiology of lynx, hares, and squirrels in the Yukon. During her postdoctoral work, she focused on weaving Indigenous values into environmental monitoring and research, a pursuit that remains central to her work today.
Now, Ally brings her ecological expertise, interdisciplinary approaches, and dedication to bridging people and worldviews into her conservation efforts. She is passionate about creating culturally relevant and impactful conservation actions by combining ecological science with Indigenous methodologies, fostering connections to the Land, and training the next generation of skilled and socially conscious scientists.
