Where do you work, what is your job title, and what are your day-to-day responsibilities?
I am an Environmental Project Coordinator at Friends of the Rouge Watershed (FRW). At FRW, I get to combine hands-on ecological restoration with public education and advocacy in the Rouge to inspire youth and community members to become local stewards of their uniquely urban wilderness. Day-to-day, I work to grow FRW’s community, professional, and volunteer network; plan and coordinate tree planting and nature walk events for school trips, corporate volunteer days, and local community days; and advocate for the timely implementation of watershed plans. As FRW is a small Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (ENGO), I am responsible for many behind-the-scenes tasks as well, like administration and social media.
Did you always know you wanted the job you have now? If yes, what do you think were the most important steps you took to get there? If not, how did you land in the position you have today?
I was more or less passive about being vocal of environmental issues until I took environmental studies at my high school, a course that I was privileged to take as most schools at the time did not offer it. I learned so much in a short time about how my natural world – the one I grew up visiting on weekends and summer vacations, was at risk of biodiversity loss, global climate change and extreme weather events, ozone depletion, the list goes on… I knew I wanted to find a way to work, professionally work, toward progressive environmental change.
I pursued higher education, receiving my Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto, my Environmental Technician diploma from Centennial College and my Master of Environmental Applied Science and Management from Ryerson University. These steps helped pave my path by providing the knowledge, skills, and even internship experiences to set me up for my career. Although I was not aiming specifically to work for FRW – the small organization I remember taking school trips with as an elementary student – things worked out serendipitously upon graduation and I began working to protect and restore the Rouge, a natural wonder I had been visiting throughout my life as a Scarborough resident.
What are your favourite and least favourite aspects of your job?
Working for FRW, I have witnessed first-hand what change can come about by the small actions taken by youth volunteers. Across the Rouge, there are new forests, new wetlands, and diverse species to be seen, all thanks to the volunteers who come out and work with FRW to restore habitat on degraded landscapes across the watershed. I love working outdoors with volunteers almost daily and knowing that my actions are making a change for wildlife and humans. Witnessing the progress of FRW’s restored ecosystems has been really motivating and will inspire me for the rest of my career.
Danielle with Friends of the Rouge Watershed volunteers at a community planting event.
The most challenging aspect of this job is the size and nature of the ‘non-profit’ organization – there are often chaotic days with tasks that pile up, and as the only full-time staff member, I am responsible for figuring out how to best prioritize tasks to maintain a productive work day! Although challenging, this job has immersed me in learning about really diverse tasks, and it has definitely sharpened my time management skills.
Lastly, what advice would you give to youth who are seeking to work in the environmental sector?
Get involved and don’t give up! The path I took to get where I am involved many part-time jobs to get myself through school, most of which were not environmentally-oriented. I found myself struggling to make time for environmental volunteer work and networking opportunities, and I felt that I was falling behind. In this field, I think that volunteer opportunities are a really important outlet that give you that hands-on experience employers are looking for. Additionally, volunteering is a great way to network with other environmental professionals, and to build up your own network of organizations and potential employers. I also recommend looking out for the many funding opportunities that assist employers in the environmental sector to hire youth.
After restoration work at Bob Hunter Memorial Park in the Rouge National Urban Park (2008-2016).