Note: Megan Deak is one of The Young Defenders’ and The Fur-Bearers’ volunteer writers. In this article, Megan introduces herself. We’re looking forward to more!
By Megan Deak
Volunteer Writer
Born and raised in Norfolk County Ontario, I am an environmentalist with a passion for human-wildlife coexistence, animal rights, and living sustainably with the land. My hometown is where my love of animals, and nature began. I grew up surrounded by trails, forests, and plenty of wildlife. Watching each organism in the forest interact was one of my favourite ways to spend time growing up.
A couple years ago, I graduated Sheridan College’s art fundamentals program. Through my schooling, I fostered a passion for design and using art to drive social change. I created infographics and posters to spread awareness about important environmental injustices and human & animal rights issues. Today my artwork grapples with themes of power and control within society. My goal is to create art that depicts environmental, animal, and human rights issues. I believe firmly that through art, social and political change can be motivated.
Currently, I am an aspiring biologist and researcher. I am enrolled in an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree program at Guelph university. My hope is to go into research, focusing on insects, and habitat conservation. In my eyes, insects are the underappreciated superheroes of the planet and they deserve more love. Besides insects, my heart goes out to all fur-bearing animals. I have a particularly special place in my heart for wolves and sea otters.
In my spare time, I volunteer at Kids Help Phone as a crisis counsellor and am an advocate for ending stigma surrounding mental illness. When I can, I fill my days meditating, reading any book available, writing, strolling around town, photographing nature, up-cycling clothes, and hiking. I also enjoy cooking vegan recipes while watching episodes from different Star Trek series. The shows may be getting old, but the wisdom is ever relevant. I like to imagine an environmentalist Spock spreading the message, “Live sustainably and prosper.”
