Roots and resilence

The fields of biodiversity, conservation, and climate crisis require diverse voices, experiences, and solutions. Yet in an article published in the journal “Nature” listing “100 articles that every ecologist should read,” 97 were written by men, and three were written by women. 

“I actually think women are tremendously effective and important leaders in conservation, though it’s often hard to get heard,” Amy Salzman, president of Chilmark Pond Association and ex officio of the Chilmark Pond Foundation, said.

It is not only women in conservation who sometimes feel unheard. For many women across the world, conservation is a natural part of their daily activities — collecting firewood, gathering fodder for livestock, harvesting plants, tending crops, raising children — but their knowledge of local ecosystems is not sought out during land planning meetings, nor is it viewed as science. 

The Vineyard is different. Magical in an ineffable way, yes, but also in the conservation world. We have 20 prominent conservation, land trust, and wildlife-monitoring organizations. We also have a historical stewardship of women tied to the land, water, and wildlife. Generations of Island women have driven land and water protection, garden clubs, and civic ecology groups, creating an established mentorship path for incoming female scientists and conservationists. 

Some of the women currently leading the charge include Suzan Bellincampi, director of Mass Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown, and Islands director; Samantha Look, executive director of Vineyard Conservation Society; Melinda Loberg, president of the board of directors of Tisbury Waterways; Emma Green-Beach, director and shellfish biologist of Vineyard Shellfish Group; Katie Theoharides, CEO of Trustees of Reservations; Luanne Johnson, assistant director and wildlife biologist of BiodiversityWorks; Wenonah Madison, president of Aquinnah Land Initiative; Salzman, president of Chilmark Pond Association; and Emily Reddington, executive director of Great Pond Foundation. 

“There are many effective female leaders on this Island, and we are very lucky to have them,” said Reddington. “Despite their effectiveness as leaders, women in conservation are often still paid less than their male counterparts. Through education and experience, women may have the most informed perspective, but if their voices are too loud or too quiet, they may not be heard. There has been a lot of progress for women in science and conservation, but we as a society still have work to do.”

When asked why she thinks women make good leaders, Salzman said, “I think it’s because we care, and are steadfast nurturers.”

The executive director of Vineyard Conservation Society Sam Look, said she isn’t sure why the Island is home to so many female conservation leaders. “Maybe because we are amazing! I think women are natural coalition builders, and we need that now, more than ever, as we race against climate change and the extinction of species, places, and natural processes.”

Look and Salzman may be on to something. Studies, including one from rewild.org, show that women’s involvement in conservation and other professions leads to more collaborative decisionmaking, greater transparency, and long-lasting solutions. Women leaders also bring perspectives based in equity and community well-being, ensuring that biodiversity goals align with human needs.

“Women often see things differently, and are motivated by nontraditional priorities,” Reddington added. “Diversity in leadership of all kinds makes for a stronger and more resilient community. Women in conservation are nurturing the Island and protecting what is precious.”

“In conservation/wildlife biology, we have made good progress in equal opportunity employment and childcare at scientific meetings, but there are still pay inequities,” Luanne Johnson said. “Many states have paid family leave laws, but I think we need to do better about creating on-ramps for those women transitioning back to full-time work to support them more. Increasing safe and affordable childcare here on the Island is a real need. STEM camps for girls are important too — like the Penikese Science and Nature Camp that teaches girls to support one another while they learn in nature from scientists.”

So what can be done to help advance women in conservation? “We have the will, the talent, and the ideas; what we are often short on are the resources,” Reddington said. “Thinking outside the box and looking for new and innovative solutions will help support and sustain local conservation efforts. When the community comes together, we can move mountains quickly. This is an incredible place to solve difficult problems and serve as a model for innovative solutions in the broader conservation world.”

“This is probably going to sound selfish, but I think we need more support and time to turn the impetus for caring towards ourselves and each other,” Look said. “Many of us have been drawn to this work because of a deep love of nature and concern, as we watch it disappear and degrade. It is hard to hold and expand that knowledge of loss every day; it can be akin to remaining in a prolonged state of mourning.” 

Aside from a strong commitment to nature, love for the Island plays a big role in why men and women in conservation remain here. “The women in conservation on this Island are talented, and could likely make more money or advance further in their careers elsewhere,” Reddington said. “Those who choose to be here are rolling up their sleeves and devoting their time and talents to preserving and protecting this very special place.”

Johnson noted, “Some of the women leaders on the Island were born here or spent a lifetime of summers here, but those of us who came to know the Island later were also already grounded in nature. For me, walking out onto East Beach on Chappy at sunrise on a morning in early April felt like I had finally come home. I never feel trapped here, or that I need to leave. The Island has always felt like a home to me, and once you find a home and connect to your plant and animal neighbors, you want to protect them. All of us do this, in one way or another, and we all believe in the power of collaboration for the greater good. You will find us working together on many fronts.”

Caring for the Island requires all hands on deck — no matter the gender. “It is critical that everyone who feels connected, concerned, and cares about the environment throws their weight into this cause,” Look said. “The Island needs leaders who are ready to look hard and understand the limits we need to establish to protect this fragile, unique place that we get to live. We need leaders who have the passion to hold the line when it is repeatedly challenged, which it will be. Our M.V. Commission is under incredible fire by all of the interests that want to lean on it and challenge it until it falls down. Our community is stronger than that. We know these fights. We have accomplished so much, and fended off many other threats. But we need leadership, and we need to believe in the ability we have, as an Island community, to do things differently and be a model for others to strike a similar balance. If that comes from women, so be it!”

Learn more about conservation organizations on the Island: Felix Neck: massaudubon.org, Vineyard Conservation Society: vineyardconservation.org, Tisbury Waterways: tisburywaterways.org, M.V. Shellfish Group: mvshellfishgroup.org, the Trustees: thetrustees.org, BiodiversityWorks: biodiversityworksmv.org, Aquinnah Land Initiative: aquinnahland.org, Chilmark Pond Association: chilmarkpond.org, Great Pond Foundation: greatpondfoundation.org.