Brandon Ward


587Policy, Planning and Research Analyst, Government of Newfoundland

Master of Arts in Environmental Policy, Memorial University

Brandon is from Portugal Cove South, Newfoundland – a small rural fishing community on the Southeastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula. He is passionate about helping to conserve and sustain rural communities and their natural and cultural history. He has completed a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Conservation with a particular interest in the social aspect of conservation and natural resource management. His research focused on the attitudes and opinions of residents of Burgeo and surrounding communities toward a potential South Coast National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA). Gauging resident’s perceptions of ecological and socioeconomic costs and benefits will help to better understand levels of support or opposition for an NMCA. This in turn will help to display its potential to protect marine biodiversity and support rural economic development in the region. Brandon graduated from his Master’s program in 2016.

Research Engagement

Thesis