The Native Plant Trust (NPT) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently published Conserving Plant Diversity, a comprehensive report identifying plant diversity among the ongoing threats to New England plants and plant communities. It’s the first of its kind to assess the region’s land protection status within the scientific framework of regional plant diversity and habitat resilience and applies those results as a foundation for conservation action and climate policy.
Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens L.)
The report measures progress toward the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation protection targets. These targets are a part of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the 2021 update within the Global Deal for Nature: to protect 30% of the planet’s ecosystems from human exploitation and development by the year 2030. Measuring “places of resilience” is at the foundation of the report’s research and targeted recommendations. According to the report, these places are “where the land provides many microclimates or natural strongholds for current plant populations that will enable them to endure different climate scenarios.” The research team located the region’s most resilient habitat areas and found that 2.3 million additional acres of climate resilient habitat are necessary to meet the New England target of 30% of permanently protected land against development by 2030.
To evaluate progress toward these goals, the research team mapped the distribution of New England habitats, including forests, wetlands, patch-forming terrestrial habitats, and Important Plant Areas (IPAs). IPAs are defined as climate resilient habitats that are hotspots of rare and endangered plant species. NPT and TNC target 234 New England IPAs that represent 212 rare and endangered plant species on climate resilient land and recommends states start conserving IPAs to protect rare plant species and species of conservation concern.
Beyond protection against conversion, these climate-resilient habitats will require effective management to maintain essential ecosystem functions and focus on smaller areas that ensure plant populations survive. TNC’s integrated mapping toolemphasizes the importance of the location of those protected acres and provides data for land trusts, policymakers, and government agencies to understand the specific priority areas and networks necessary to preserve and conserve plant diversity and biodiversity in their states.
Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens L.)
One of the report’s case studies highlights purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens L.) as an example of a rare plant in New England that predominantly occurs outside of areas of resiliency and will require consistent evaluation as plant communities and assemblages change with the climate. In Connecticut, purple milkweed is a plant of special concern, and the report recommends that purple milkweed occurrences on climate-resilient land should be given greater priority for protection and conservation. In a separate effort, Highstead staff are searching for and surveying newly found purple milkweed populations around Fairfield county.
Highstead’s long standing commitment to using and modeling best practices for stewarding the ecological integrity of the land begins on its site in Redding, Connecticut. Managing over 100 acres of fields, woodlands, and meadows involves many decisions that consider the surrounding ecosystem and health of local plants and animals. One of these management priorities includes protecting and enhancing habitat and food sources for pollinators that carry out services vital to plant reproduction and food production.
In honor of National Pollinator Week (June 21-27, 2021), we are sharing a few examples of how you can support healthy habitat and sustenance for pollinators at home and in your community by participating in a Pollinator Pathway.
Photo Credit: Louise Washer
Pollinator Pathways are a compilation of different landscapes such as pesticide-free yards and public spaces that together build a corridor of healthy habitat for pollinators and people. These series of adjacent properties are often found in urban and suburban areas where development and other land use types have eliminated natural pollinator habitat. You can support your local pollinators by planting and caring for your home landscape in a way that expands and enhances an environment suitable for bees, insects, and butterflies by incorporating three key components of the Pollinator Pathway: plant natives, no pesticides, and rethink your lawn.
“You look at the surrounding landscape, how the different habitats are interconnected, and observe the ecological processes and what nature does naturally. ”
Kathleen Kitka, Landscape and Collections Manager, Highstead
1. Plant Natives
Changing what you plant on your property or in your planters can serve to counteract habitat loss from suburban, urban, and rural development which is further exacerbated by climate changes.
You can start by planting native flowers, trees, and shrubs that are well adapted to the local climate, soils, and ecological process which provide food and habitat for the specific pollinating insects in the region. These plantings can be of various flower shapes, sizes, and colors to attract coevolved insects and pollinators. Planting for a succession of blooms that start in early spring and continue through autumn makes food and habitat available for insects in every stage of their lifecycle.
Photo Credit: Louise Washer
In addition to the gently managed existing native flora on the Redding property, Highstead is a part of the Ecotype Seed Project, a collaborative effort to expand healthy pollinator habitat by collecting native plant seeds from local sources and making them available to nurseries and gardeners.
2. No Pesticides
You can combine planting natives with an approach that excludes the use of synthetic chemical pesticides of any kind (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.) Since pollinators are mobile across the landscape, they can be unintentionally exposed to pesticides when passing through a sprayed lawn or property. For example, if you’re trying to treat lawn grubs with an insecticide, pollinating bees and butterflies may be unintentionally exposed to harmful chemicals, and bees may carry the exposure back to their colonies. This is thought to be a contributing factor to honey bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
When it comes to pesticides, Highstead aims for an all-organic approach wherever possible. Avoiding synthetic pesticides works hand in hand with holistically managing the landscape in regenerative ways and encouraging the natural healing processes inherent within the ecosystem. While an all-organic approach may not be realistic for your situation or your landscape, you can steward your land along organic guidelines like those provided by the Northeast Organic Farming Association in the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care.
Photo Credit: Louise Washer
3. Rethink Your Lawn
The traditional turf grass lawn doesn’t offer much nutrition, hiding spaces, or habitat for small wildlife and pollinators. However, by rethinking your lawn maintenance, you can enhance your landscape’s value for wildlife and people.
Consider limiting your turf grass to areas where it serves a functional role such as a path or play area and allow other areas to grow. At Highstead, we have reduced the extent of mowing to areas immediately adjacent to our barn and what is used for paths and parking areas.
Cut your grass less frequently, raise the height of your mower, and don’t kill the broad-leafed or non-grass plants when they sprout. These steps will allow flowering plants that are beneficial to pollinators to co-exist with your lawn grasses. For example, dandelions and violets are often food sources for early hatchers. These flowers are sources of food for pollinators that pass through your neighborhood.
There are other approaches to mowing. Cut grass at a longer height and keep the edges unshorn to provide an opportunity for pollinators to find something rather than nothing. After mowing, leave clippings on the grass as a fertilizer instead of applying additional chemicals. In the autumn, leave some leaf litter in flower beds as over-wintering insect habitat, and then mow the remaining leaves in place to build the organic matter in your soil.
Highstead’s Landscape and Collections Manager Kathleen Kitka shares her approach, “You look at the surrounding landscape, how the different habitats are interconnected, and observe the ecological processes and what nature does naturally. For example, we don’t rake our leaves, cut back our perennials, or mow the wildflower meadow in the fall. We leave all that because it is food or over-wintering habitat for wildlife. Cutting it all up would disturb that.”
As part of its commitment to inspiring the next generation of conservationists, Highstead typically brings on 3-4 interns each year. While the pandemic moved our 2020 interns to a remote model, this summer, Highstead selected one Ecology Intern to work on-site to collect, record, and analyze data for several long-term research projects. Meet Danielle Weiss, Ecology Intern.
Danielle Weiss, Summer 2021 Ecology Intern
Who are you?
Danielle: My name is Danielle Weiss I am this summer’s Ecology Intern. I am finishing up my bachelor’s degree in Ecological Biology at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) this fall. I try to stay involved in the biology clubs at school, and I love getting outside and painting in my free time.
What drew you to Highstead?
Danielle: Highstead had a great internship opportunity, so as soon as I heard I could apply, I did. I also thought it would be amazing to get some more experience in the field and try something new that I am very passionate about: plants!
How does the ecology internship compare to your past internships?
Danielle: This ecology internship is similar to my past internships with the WCSU Tick Lab because I get to be out in the field most of the time collecting data. Then the rest of my time is spent entering data and analyzing results for my final project. This internship is different than my past internship experiences because I am learning and identifying plant, shrub, and seedling species that I wasn’t familiar with before coming to Highstead. This internship has already taught me so much about plant and tree identification and what is going on in the Oak versus Ash forests here at Highstead. I cannot wait to learn more!
What does your day-to-day look like as the Highstead Ecology Intern?
Danielle: As a Highstead ecology intern, my day typically lasts from 9 am to 5 pm, and I start by going out into the field with [Senior Ecologist] Ed Faison, or just myself around 9:15, once I have everything packed and ready to go. Each day the goal is to go to two of the plots here at Highstead and identify every tree, shrub, seedling, and herb. To do this, I have to set up measuring tapes around the entire plot border and then set up two cross-sections. Within the plot, the goal is to identify all of the species and measure the tree’s diameter, come up with a percent coverage for the shrubs, seedlings, and herbs, and measure any woody debris on the diagonal cross-sections of the plot. After being out in the field, I come back to the barn and enter data. When I have some extra time I like to update the species identification list I created to help me out when I survey alone.
Danielle measures tree diameter in the Highstead forest.
What are your current academic and career goals?
Danielle: My current academic and career goals go hand in hand because my long-term goal is to get my Ph.D. and do research on something related to ecology and conservation. I am now focused on studying for the GRE and looking into graduate schools for a Master’s program for next Fall.
Where does your motivation come from?
Danielle: My motivation comes from my wish to help the environment someday with my research. I have been able to make that into a reality by working towards my education in ecological biology.
Who are your conservation heroes throughout history and today and why?
Danielle: Although I am really bad with names, Jane Goodall is one I will never forget. Jane is probably on everyone’s list of conservation heroes, including mine, because of her lifetime effort to conserve the environment and protect our wildlife. Jane is such an inspiring person, and I want to be even half of that one day—spreading conservation knowledge and action with the rest of the world.
Where is your favorite place to recreate in the Northeast? What makes it special?
Danielle: I love going to Sherwood Island State Park here in Connecticut on the weekends. Sherwood Island is in Westport and is a huge state park along the shore. I have so much fun being on the beach, longboarding, or painting there!
What advice would you give to someone searching for a conservation internship?
Danielle: My advice would be to apply to anything and everything that has to do with conservation or biology because any field or lab experience will be helpful. Even if you end up disliking your internship opportunity, it could help you figure out what you do not want to do in the future. Contrary to that, you might end up finding a great internship that can open doors for your career in the future and help you narrow down your future degree or career goals. I think that internships are a great way to get your foot in the door to something new, and I am very thankful to be at Highstead this summer.
What advice have you received that has stuck with you?
Danielle: The advice that has stuck with me, especially recently, is that everything will work itself out if you are trying your best. Especially with biology and research in general, it can be really hard to know what your future will look like. The most important thing is to continue learning, trying out new internships, and creating connections, because if you are doing that, everything will work itself out. I have gotten this advice multiple times from many professors of mine when I ask, “How did you figure out what you wanted to research, and how did you get here?” I try to remind myself of this advice anytime I feel like I am lost or need a straighter and more familiar path for my future.
The Native Land Conservancy (NLC) and Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT) have formally established a partnership granting land rights to Muddy Pond Wilderness Preserve to NLC and the Wampanoag Nation. Protecting forever-wild land—where nature directs the ebb and flow of life—is central to NEWT’s conservation approach. Similarly, the Massachusetts-based NLC works to preserve healthy landscapes for all living things and help restore the land to its original state wherever possible. While uncommon, a land conservation collaboration between a Native-led land trust and wilderness organization is the kind of effort that applies Indigenous leadership and stewardship knowledge and expands the possibilities of wilderness conservation, which can benefit people and nature.
It Starts With The Land
In 2018, NEWT connected with stakeholders, including Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe representatives Ramona Peters, founder and president of the Native Land Conservancy, and vice chairwoman Leslie Jonas, after conserving Muddy Pond Wilderness Preserve in Kingston, Massachusetts. The preserve encompasses land that is the historic homeland to the Wampanoag people, and it is still their home. NEWT’s Board took the first steps to honor the Wampanoag’s cultural connections to Muddy Pond Wilderness Preserve by passing a Corporate Resolution that set the foundation for a formalized Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU involves three central goals that identify pathways that honor Indigenous relationships to the land and pursues NEWT’s mission to protect forever-wild places.
Open space and access to land hold deep cultural and life-sustaining value for tribal communities. The Muddy Pond Wilderness contains cultural and ancient DNA in oral traditions, stories, and knowledge across its geography. Establishing a Cultural Respect Easement (CRE) is the first step that incorporates inclusive access to the land with Indigenous connection at the forefront. Through the CRE, Indigenous people are invited to access a cultural landscape, exercise their spiritual and cultural traditions, and reconnect with the land. This makes way for a form of access that looks different from the contemporary idea of “public access,” which often involves forms of recreation that are not welcoming or do not align with Indigenous traditions and cultural practices.
With the established CRE, the second goal outlined in the MOU is for NLC to receive permanent legal rights to Muddy Pond Wilderness Preserve through a forever-wild conservation restriction donated by NEWT. Finally, NLC and NEWT will share their partnership and shared values through their communications, and demonstrate a replicable model for land trusts across the country.
Highstead would not be what it is today without the steadfast leadership and diverse experiences of its team members. Meet the people of Highstead: experts, conservation leaders, scientists, and staff that embody Highstead’s mission to build a healthier, more livable world for all in our staff interview series.
Geordie Elkins, Operations Director
What is your role?
Geordie: As Operations Director, my job is jack of all trades. I work with the team to oversee the day-to-day operations, including finances, HR, IT, buildings, and grounds, and I also participate in and support various aspects of our Land Stewardship, Ecology, Conservation programs, and our work on Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands, and Communities. One nice thing about my job is that I never get bored of doing the same thing.
What drew you to Highstead?
Geordie: I grew up playing outside in the lakes, mountains, and forests of New Hampshire and have a great love for wild places and natural landscapes. The idea of working for an organization dedicated to learning about native plants and teaching the public about them excited me. When Highstead later expanded its mission to include land protection, I saw it as a logical extension that further aligned with my personal interests.
What are your favorite parts of your job?
Geordie: The people of Highstead. Each staff member is passionate about what they do and is completely dedicated to their work. Each is unique and brings different talents and perspectives to our work. I am fortunate to work with such a collegial and professional group of individuals whose commitment to their work truly inspires me.
Where does your motivation come from?
Geordie: I have a deep-seated belief that the world can be a better place. Working with people who share that belief and for an organization that embodies that in its mission encourages me to push forward. The Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands, and Communities Vision for the New England landscape is bold and some people may even think unachievable. I am undaunted by that. It helps inspire me to think about how we can improve the place where we live and sustain it for future generations.
What is the professional accomplishment you are most proud of?
Geordie: The success of the Ecotype Project excites me. Since college, I have imagined what our towns and cities would look like if we planted native plants and adopted naturalistic landscape techniques that integrated our planted landscapes into the natural lands that surround them. Motivated by the desire to create pollinator habitat, homeowners are planting native plants like never before. It is gratifying to see people plant plants that were grown from wild seed that we originally collected.
Who are your conservation heroes throughout history and today and why?
Geordie: The national parks are a U.S. treasure. My heroes are the many men and women who had the vision to see the value of protecting the unique places and the perseverance to push through the resistance of commercial interest that stood to gain from exploiting the natural resources.
Do you recommend any books, podcasts, or other resources that have had an impact on your life or work?
Geordie: Doug Tallamy has done the research that supports what we have known all along — native plants are essential to healthy landscapes. His work on the relationship between native plants, insects, and the wildlife they support makes a compelling argument for planting natural landscapes.
What is the most important or useful strategy in your conservation and stewardship toolbox?
Geordie: Education and awe. I really enjoy leading people on walks of the Highstead property and interpreting the landscape to them. The natural world is so complex and intricate, yet we tend to walk right past without even noticing. Pointing out the wonders of nature and helping someone understand how special our natural places are generally increases their commitment to protecting them.
Where is your favorite place to recreate in the Northeast? What makes it special?
Geordie: I like the White Mountains, particularly in winter. The beauty of the rock, the snow and ice, the challenge of extreme weather, and the quiet stillness of remote places energize me and helps me keep the world in its proper perspective. The big secret is that you really don’t get cold as long as you stay moving. Plus, there is no dirt, and there are no bugs!
Highstead, Cornell Ornithology Lab and the Northeast Bird Habitat Conservation Initiative are pleased to announce upcoming eBird training webinars focused on how Cornell’s eBird tool, an online bird checklist program, can be used to encourage engagement with supporters, the community and landowners.
Birding in Vermont. Photo by Archie Bonyun
eBird and Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative staff will present interactive workshops demonstrating the power of eBird and how to use eBird science data to support activities such as land acquisition, monitoring, and engagement with landowners, stakeholders, and the birding community. The sessions are designed for Regional Conservation Partnership and land trust leaders who will be taught the basics of eBird so they can lead their own future workshops. Participants will be eligible to apply for mini-grants in 2022 to subsidize the costs of hosting their eBird workshops.
Webinar Dates:
The training will take place in two parts. For the most effective training experience, participants should plan to attend both webinars.
June 8 from 1-2:30 pm ET – Webinar #1: The Power of eBird: Using information on birds to Amplify Conservation, Stewardship, and Community Outreach
June 15 from 1-2:00 pm ET – Webinar #2: Conservation applications of eBird data and products
The eBird Training Webinars are hosted by Katie Blake, Conservationist, Highstead, and co-coordinator of the Northeast Bird Habitat Conservation Initiative.
Sara Barker is the program director for the Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative. She helps provide strategic planning, resources, technical assistance, planning tools, and funding opportunities to advance the pace and impact of land trust protection and stewardship efforts. She also assists land managers and practitioners in managing habitat for priority bird species and strives to build capacity for the land trust and private lands community around birds.
Jenna Curtis is a project leader for eBird. Jenna’s focus is on communications outreach and engaging with the global eBird community. She prepares informational content for eBird across a variety of public platforms. Jenna also assists with coordinating eBird’s team of volunteer reviewers. Her favorite part of the job is helping others to build skills and develop a deeper appreciation for nature through birds!
Orin Robinson is a research associate in the Center for Avian Population Studies at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The overarching theme of his research is using and developing quantitative tools to make use of large ecological data sets in order to learn about vertebrate population and community ecology. Ultimately, the goal is to apply the lessons learned to vertebrate conservation.
Webinar Preparation
Participants are encouraged to sign up for an eBird account if they do not already have one by visiting eBird.org and clicking the green “Create Account” button in the upper right corner.
Participants who already have an account through another project such as Merlin Bird ID, Great Backyard Bird Count, Project Feederwatch, Nestwatch, or Bird Academy can use the same information to log in to eBird.
In preparation for the June 15 webinar, which will focus on eBird data, participants should visit the eBird Status and Trends website to become familiar with what data and tools are available.
The trainings are being supported through a grant from the Sarah K. deCoizart Perpetual Charitable Trust.
Highstead would not be what it is today without the steadfast leadership and diverse experiences of its team members. Meet the experts, conservation leaders, scientists, and staff that embody Highstead’s mission to build a healthier, more liveable world for all in our new interview series.
Jesse Hubbard, Grounds and Facilities Coordinator
What is your role?
Jesse: I am the grounds and facilities coordinator and responsible for the general upkeep of the Highstead barn and surrounding landscape. I also provide logistical support for events on-site and participate in some partner-sponsored and hosted activities.
What drew you to Highstead?
Jesse: An interest in horticulture and tree care got me interested in Highstead, and a desire to work around positive people with similar interests was a bonus. With an emphasis on education, research, and outreach, I saw Highstead as an organization I could learn from and grow with, and where I could take pride in my work while knowing that I was doing something to help preserve the natural environment and resources we are all dependent upon.
What are your favorite parts of your job?
Jesse: My job involves a variety of indoor and outdoor work that’s challenging and equally rewarding. I enjoy the outdoor work the most, especially when the weather is nice. In particular, I find fulfillment through planting and pruning, and being on the property every day, witnessing all the wildlife and seasonal changes. I really feel a connection to the land.
Where does your motivation come from?
Jesse: My motivation comes partly from knowing that the work I do locally helps drive conservation on a larger scale. In a simpler form, I find encouragement directly through my work with plants. I enjoy pruning because it is a way to express myself artistically while also utilizing my knowledge to help guide my cuts. As much as I enjoy pruning, it’s also inspiring to see how plants adapt and grow when left to their own devices.
What is the professional accomplishment you are most proud of?
Jesse: Becoming a certified arborist. I have two licenses; one through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) and the other is a professional certification through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Those achievements stick out to me because they represent a time in my life when I really began to understand what I wanted to do professionally and helped guide me to where I am today.
Who are your conservation heroes throughout history and today and why?
Jesse: My grandparents, although not conservationists, were avid birders and active in local groups focused on the environment. If I had to credit anyone for getting me interested in the great outdoors, it would be them. They would almost always be doing something outside, whether gardening, fishing, bird watching, or just taking a walk. They loved to share their experiences with us.
What are some challenges you see facing the conservation and stewardship community in the next ten years?
Jesse: Some challenges I see are:
Clean drinking water, finding funding in an economy that’s recovering from the pandemic.
Access to green spaces- community health.
Invasive plants and pests that change the landscape and affect availability of natural resources.
Increasing populations and demand for those resources, coupled with a changing climate and a need to reduce our carbon dependence.
Where is your favorite place to recreate in the Northeast? What makes it special?
Jesse: My family has a cabin and some land in New Hampshire (thanks to my Grandparents), near the White Mountains. I have many fond memories of visiting there over the years. It’s special because of what it lacks: running water and electricity. Staying there for even a few days is a great way to remember how lucky we are to have all the amenities we do. One of my favorite things to do there is to walk the trails around the property. It’s especially charming in the winter because the woods are often quiet enough to hear the snowfall.
What advice would you give to the next generation of conservationists?
Jesse: I think it’s important that we first try to learn their stories when making an appeal to individuals (and groups) outside our own circle. I think by listening and understanding, we have a better chance at finding common ground and achieving success through mutual cooperation.
In a recent VTDigger Commentary, Jon Leibowitz, Executive Director of the Northeast Wilderness Trust describes New England’s present-day conservation status and makes the urgent case for accelerated protection, restoration, and designation of connected wilderness areas under the current global 30 x 30 effort to conserve 30% of Earth’s terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by 2030.
While conservation of all types of landscapes is essential, Leibowitz emphasizes the vital roles that forever-wild ecosystems play to keep our planet, including nonhuman and human inhabitants, healthy. 30 x 30’s ambitious science-informed goals present a framework for supporting biodiversity, providing environmental benefits and services like clean air and water, and maximizing carbon emissions storage, all of which require bold and unconventional actions as the planet’s carbon emissions and average temperatures continue to break records.
Liebowitz also points to the unique opportunity and necessity of partnership with underrepresented groups historically excluded from the conservation conversation. The consequences of inaction or misdirected efforts often disproportionately harm the most vulnerable and nature-dependent communities. Land trusts, government entities, and the public all hold essential responsibilities and have distinct roles to play, but we must not continue to operate in a conservation-as-usual fashion, he adds. Fortifying today’s monumental efforts for tomorrow’s future will require diverse leadership and representation at the decision-making table.
Highstead would not be what it is today without the steadfast leadership and diverse experiences of its team members. Meet the experts, conservation leaders, scientists, and staff that embody Highstead’s mission to build a healthier, more liveable world for all in our new interview series.
Katie Blake, Conservationist
What is your role?
Katie: I’m a Conservationist at Highstead, and in this role I support the work of Regional Conservation Partnerships (RCPs) across the Northeast.
What drew you to Highstead?
Katie: I always admired the thoughtful conservation work that came out of Highstead and their leadership through the initiatives they led and supported. Back in 2012, I served as the Coordinator for the MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership and got to work alongside Bill Labich, who was on the MassConn steering committee at the time. During my time at MassConn, I learned about the Wildlands and Woodlands Vision that guides Highstead’s work and became a regular RCP Gathering attendee. When the Conservationist position opened up in 2019, I jumped at the opportunity!
“There are several entry points into following your dream; you just have to be open to connecting your diverse experiences and background.”
Katie Blake
Where does your motivation come from?
Katie: My motivation comes from a deep-rooted sense of responsibility to be the best advocate I can be for our natural world. While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I began to wonder if I should have followed another more lucrative field. However, during an environmental economics class, I realized that no part of our modern world would exist if we didn’t take care of the place we entirely depended on, yet often take for granted. Our natural world and the resources on which people depend are in no short supply of challenges, and it is these challenges that get me out of bed ready to get to work every day.
What is the professional accomplishment you are most proud of?
Katie: I’m the first generation in my family to go to college and the only person in my extended family to earn a Master’s degree. I’m most proud of the years of hard work, dedication, and the years of piecing together several part-time jobs so that I could pursue my interests in conservation. In my family, it was a luxury to pursue my dream, and one we couldn’t necessarily afford. I grew up in a working-class family and watched my parents work multiple jobs so that we could have the opportunity to go to college one day and make a life for ourselves that was better than what my parents had. My love for the outdoors and wildlife led me to wildlife biology and ultimately conservation. Unlike many of my peers, I couldn’t afford to take unpaid internships, so like my parents, I had to work part-time jobs and find work outside of seasonal fieldwork. I learned to build and rely on the network I was shaping to continue to advance in my career and move toward gainful employment.
Who are your women conservation heroes throughout history and today? Why?
Katie: When I was 18, I got tickets to see Jane Goodall speak as part of an honors class I was taking at a local community college. I didn’t know who Jane Goodall was at the time, so I almost didn’t go to the event. I still remember that when she took the stage, and before saying hello, she pant-hooted like a chimpanzee. I was hooked! I then spent the next five years or so learning everything about her.
What I admire most was that she didn’t have a traditional background in science before Louise Leakey sent her off into the jungle to pioneer the study of chimpanzees. She completely changed how we define ourselves, what it means to be human, and what we knew about our closest kin. I also admire Jane’s dedication to the work and to the bigger vision and the hope she carries for our planet, even though many have worked to discredit her throughout her career. Jane sent me off into this field, and although I ended up chasing after birds, not chimpanzees, I owe her for lighting up this path for me to pursue.
What are some challenges you see facing women in the conservation and stewardship communities in the next 10 years?
Katie: I am so blessed to have found my way to an organization that values a healthy work-life balance. As a new mom, Highstead offered me flexibility in my schedule as I got back to work after maternity leave and currently during the COVID pandemic as my husband and I navigate childcare challenges. My “seat at the table” in the initiatives I lead and projects I participate in is still very much valued even when I’m not always able to be in my seat because I’m balancing work and home.
However, this is not the case for many women and working moms in the conservation field, or in most fields for that matter. I think women will continue to face challenges to advance in their careers while maintaining a work-life balance. Women will continue to face challenges they have for years— earning less than their male counterparts, advancing to leadership positions, facing opposition to their ideas and research, and so on. But, the field of conservation is dominated by women, and it is my hope that as we work to amplify each other’s work, that we also help normalize and support a healthy work-life balance for all people, so we can really make the progress that is needed for our environment.
Do you recommend any books, podcasts, or other resources that have had an impact on your life or work?
Katie:Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. I read this during my first year of college and I think it’s an excellent reminder of the overt and covert ways women scientists are attacked, threatened, or discredited in their work. Carson’s book accused powerful chemical companies of widespread environmental degradation due to indiscriminate use of pesticides that we still see the effects of today, particularly how DDT affected bird populations. It’s also a great reminder to me to stick with the challenging work we take on in conservation and trust myself and my work’s integrity, especially in the face of opposition.
Where is your favorite place to recreate in the Northeast? What makes it special?
Katie: One of my favorite places is the Massachusetts coastline. I spent years studying the breeding and post-breeding habits of Common and Roseate Terns, which meant living on remote islands, and spending hours on beaches looking for these birds. I was so plugged into the rhythm of the tides and ecology of the coast, and of course the terns, that to this day, whenever I hear a tern, I am instantly transported back to my time on the beaches in Massachusetts.
What advice would you give to the next generation of conservationists?
Katie: Listen. Listen to those with different perspectives. Listen to what people see and experience in their communities and hear what it is people want and need. Listen to the scientist and non-scientist equally. Listen to your fellow environmental advocates, from those who have just entered the field to those who are readying for retirement. Listen to your partners, especially those outside of the conservation field. While our conservation challenges will require innovative remedies and technologies, the key to developing them and successfully implementing them is to understand. The key to understanding is building transformational relationships with people because we can’t do this alone. It’s going to take everyone.
What advice have you received that has stuck with you?
Katie: Often times, your route to following your dream isn’t a straight line. Because I had to take jobs in between field seasons or make up for a low-paying internship, I often had to find work outside the conservation field. Before graduate school, I needed a longer-term job to help me save, so I took a position as a paralegal for legal aid. I remember feeling like this was a significant detour from my field, and I felt self-conscious about that. My future graduate school advisor helped me see that the skills I was learning in this job were completely transferrable to conservation: problem-solving, building arguments, understanding legal jargon, advocating for those who can’t advocate for themselves, and so on. There are several entry points into following your dream; you just have to be open to connecting your diverse experiences and background.
Today, we are witnessing an accelerated climate crisis — extreme and irregular weather, flooding, droughts, wildfires, decreased air quality, often disproportionately harming the most vulnerable communities — which is directly related to the high levels of carbon dioxide we have pumped into the atmosphere. The crisis is making more people ask, “What can I do to make a difference?”
As it turns out, you can start in your backyard.
A new Arnoldiamagazine article from Highstead Senior Ecologist Ed Faison details his approach as a residential property owner in implementing stewardship practices that support carbon emission reduction and increase carbon dioxide removal and storage (carbon sequestration). From small lots to large forests, private forest owners own 85% of New England’s forests. Faison presents his residential Connecticut 1.5 acre lot as a case study demonstrating just how trees — even on smaller lots — can factor into significant carbon sequestration.
Considering tree growth is the default vegetation in the Northeastern landscape, property owners have options for managing their vegetation and its potential for carbon storage, all of which balance benefits and drawbacks for human and nonhuman occupants. A healthy mix of management decisions for Faison’s existing forest optimize the ecological benefits of standing trees and deadwood and supports the intricacies of relationships between woodland flora and fauna. Faison details the advantages of reforesting an existing lawn portion, resulting in an estimated twenty-five times more carbon stored than the grass it replaced could store.
On the side of the built environment, tree cover offers additional carbon saving benefits to Faison’s residence. Trees, standing within sixty feet of his house, provide summer cooling and winter insulation, resulting in decreased energy expenditure and reduced carbon emissions.
Finally, while limited in some residential circumstances, the article demonstrates how even small-scale wildlands management offers more climate benefits while doing less — by not removing trees or vegetation at all. Some property owners may consider the particular aesthetic and climate services that accrue from leaving more vegetation intact vs. maintaining a large mown lawn.
More than this, landowners’ voluntary conservation actions (i.e., formally protecting their land with a conservation easement), even on a small scale, expand the total amount of forestland conserved throughout New England and serve as a critical solution for climate change, as outlined in the Wildlands and Woodlands Vision.
Discover the intricacies and collective power of ‘Backyard Climate Solutions’ by Ed Faison in Arnoldia Volume 8, Issue 3.
