As a woman, I love to relish in reflect on International Women’s Day. After all, there is so much to celebrate.
On days like this I frequently look to famous international figures for insight, like Jane Goodall or Greta Thunberg. But this year it hit me; I don’t have to look beyond my own community for inspiration from outstanding women in conservation.
At The Couchiching Conservancy we have a proud tradition of female leadership that has been present since the organization’s humble beginnings, (there were women literally at the table). Along with their partners and friends, they saw the coming juggernaut of climate crisis and developmental pressure on our region and organized against it. The founder’s legacy is one that reminds us; you never know how big your impact can be. Theirs is now at 14,000 acres protected and counting.
Our Past Presidents Council also boasts meaningful female representation. The term president conjures an image of a man in a suit, but here at The conservancy, it is just as likely to be a woman in ‘field clothes’. Their passion has been essential to our success and may thanks go to Janet Grand, Nathalie Rockhill, Jane Ball, Isabelle Thiess, and Margaret Pomeroy who have all served as president. Having such great role models in place at the top puts a welcome mat at the Conservancy door for all the dedicated and driven women in our region who want to make a positive impact on the planet.
“They are smart, tenacious, and talented and embody the exact leadership qualities the conservation movement needs now.”
Local women of conservation continue impacting The Conservancy today. The Board of Directors is currently made up of nine members, five of whom are female. They are smart, tenacious, and talented and embody the exact leadership qualities the conservation movement needs now. Lisa Neville, Janet Machan, Kathy Hunt, Jane Bonsteel, and Dale Leadbeater have all worked throughout the pandemic to keep our community strong. Their work powers local conservation efforts every day.
And there are more, too many to list, Advisory Council members, Committee members, and ambassadors. About 70% of our Community Scientists who work in the field in all kinds of rugged conditions are women and we have many fantastic female staff. We will even featured a female speaker, Julia Zarankin, at our Annual General Meeting this year.
Everywhere you look in the conservancy community there are women who bring us together and keep us pushing forward for a better, brighter future with not only flourishing lands, but healthy, happy people to celebrate them.
Thank you to all the amazing women who make our work possible, our community would not be nearly as strong without you.
Courtney Baker is the Administrative Assistant at The Couchiching Conservancy.