Women in STEM, working for wetlands

Carrie Mana

What is your role at Ducks Unlimited Canada and can you tell us a little about what you do/what your work involves?

Tânisi, I’m Carrie Mana. I am Red River Métis and I live in Amiskwacîwâskahikan in what is now called Edmonton. I have a degree in environmental and conservation science, specializing in land reclamation, and I work as a conservation programs specialist with Ducks Unlimited Canada.

My role focuses on conserving wetlands in Canada’s boreal forest. I work as part of a team that provides science-based support on policy-relevant topics and communicates wetland science to a wide range of audiences. This includes leading workshops and training sessions, as well as sharing information through newsletters and webinars on how wetlands function and how to work responsibly in and around them. And sometimes, my work even involves flying in helicopters to survey wetlands and vegetation from the air!

What inspired you to pursue a path in STEM?

I grew up in the garden and in the bush. As I got older, I experienced the loss of natural places and developed eco-anxiety about climate change and its impacts.

I sought out a career that would allow me to restore the land and people’s relationship with it.

What is most rewarding about the work you do?

I believe water is life, so one of the most rewarding parts of my work is conserving water and the places where it rests. Specifically, I enjoy working with industry partners to find solutions that align with their approach while still achieving better outcomes for wetlands.

I also love spending time in the bush, exploring and experiencing nature up close.

What advice do you have for young women who may be considering a career in STEM?

Positive change often takes time and usually comes in small, incremental steps. Be prepared for that and take care not to burn out. Spend as much time on the land as you can.

Lauren Bortolotti     

What is your role at Ducks Unlimited Canada and can you tell us a little about what you do/what your work involves? 

I work as a research scientist for the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research, the science arm of Ducks Unlimited Canada. Part of my job is doing research that can help advance DUC’s mission (click here to take a look at a new research paper co-authored by Lauren and published in the journal FACETS). Another important component of my work is what we call “science support” — helping my colleagues use science to aid them in their jobs.

What inspired you to pursue a path in STEM? 

I was fortunate enough to be exposed to science, research and the outdoors from a young age. I fell in love with field biology because it combines the magic of scientific discovery with getting to be outside.

What is most rewarding about the work you do? 

The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that the work I do contributes to the conservation and restoration of habitat across Canada. The ecosystems that DUC conserves and restores benefit biodiversity and enrich our lives in so many ways — it’s a privilege to play a small role in that work.

What advice do you have for young women who may be considering a career in STEM? 

It’s important to trust your intuition as to whether an opportunity is right for you, when you need to set boundaries, or when you need to make a change because something isn’t a good fit for you. There might also be times, however, that you need to ignore your instincts — imposter syndrome is common in women in STEM and we know that women systematically underestimate their qualifications for jobs.

Danielle Fequet

What is your role at Ducks Unlimited Canada and can you tell us a little about what you do/what your work involves?

I’ve been part of our DUC Atlantic conservation team for 15 years and am based out of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL).

Over the years, my role has spanned a lot of different program areas but these days, I mainly facilitate our Atlantic Land Securement Program. This involves working with landowners who are interested in selling or donating their land to DUC for long-term conservation. Conservation easements and stewardship agreements are other options, too. We prioritize wetlands that have high wildlife habitat value and provide important ecosystem services. I work with a variety of different people throughout the four Atlantic provinces including our own staff and other conservation partner groups, realtors, land appraisers, surveyors, lawyers and government representatives.

I have a hard time being stuck behind my desk for too long, so I am lucky enough to still also support local level conservation efforts to improve awareness and management of wetlands here in NL.

What inspired you to pursue a path in STEM?

To be honest, I never really considered any career paths that weren’t aligned with the sciences; I think that’s just the way I’m wired!

Growing up, both my parents taught biology and we spent a lot of time outdoors as a family. We would pick berries in late summer and fall, ski and snowshoe in the winter and hike when the bugs weren’t too bad. My parents were always pointing out different kinds of plants, signs of animals and ecosystem intrigues.

While I didn’t arrive there right away, during an epic summer field job in the Mealy Mountains of Labrador, when I realized that environmental conservation was an actual career path, I was pretty much hooked!

What is most rewarding about the work you do?

The most rewarding part is when you get to see a good idea gain momentum and ultimately result in positive conservation outcomes. The arc for things to come to fruition can sometimes take several years and involves many people pulling in the same direction, so when everything works out as intended (but not necessarily as planned!) that feels pretty good. An example might be finally conserving a wetland when the timeline for getting the right resources in place and coming to an agreement with the landowner spanned a couple years.

I also really appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of the work we do to conserve wild places; it touches on a variety of STEM disciplines but also intersects with public policy, culture and the arts.

What advice do you have for young women who may be considering a career in STEM?

The advice I’d offer anyone considering a career in STEM is to seek out opportunities for related experiences through volunteering, school programs or summer work experiences. By gaining exposure to a variety of STEM experiences, you will be better equipped to figure out what kind of path you want to pursue and what a “good career” looks like for you.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask people you meet along the way for advice or to be a reference for you. It might seem daunting but if you have good rapport with a supervisor or others you hope to learn from, they will probably appreciate being asked and truly want to help you succeed.

Kirstin Newfield

What is your role at Ducks Unlimited Canada and can you tell us a little about what you do/what your work involves?

I am a provincial engineer in Manitoba with a background in geological and water resources engineering. Due to human impact on the landscape, many of the DUC wetlands require water control to maintain a thriving ecosystem and manage flow upstream and downstream of our projects. I am involved in the design, construction, maintenance and ongoing safety of water control infrastructure associated with DUC’s wetland projects.

My favourite part is getting out in the field and seeing the benefits of the wetlands in action.

What inspired you to pursue a path in STEM?

I always had an interest in understanding how things worked. I found that science and math gave me a framework for understanding the world around me. As someone who liked to learn and use my hands to apply what I had learned, I found that engineering was a perfect fit as it sits at that intersection as an applied science.

What is most rewarding about the work you do?

I am very passionate about protecting the environment and I love to work for an organization that is focused on wetland conservation. I can use my training in STEM to make a positive difference in the world and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

What advice do you have for young women who may be considering a career in STEM?

There are so many paths in STEM that you can take! Think of the things that inspire and motivate you and ask questions about how STEM makes it all possible. Reach out to professionals that you are inspired by and see if they are available to have a conversation about their experience — people are generally happy to share their experiences with others.