Members in Action: Emily Gonzales, Parks Canada

Emily Gonzales is an Ecological Restoration Specialist with Parks Canada.

What projects are you working on right now?

• Aliens are invading - Eradicating six alien vegetation species with strong invasion potential in disturbed areas within Kouchibouguac National Park
• Fences in the sand - Exclosures to protect habitat and species at risk in Sable Island National Park Reserve
• Resilient Restoration - Our Future Forest in Prince Edward Island National Park
• Renewing Forest Resilience in Gros Morne National Park
• Identifying Bicknell's Thrush Critical Habitat in Cape Breton Highlands National Park
• And in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, I’m supporting 3 projects: ParticipAction, Conservation Connections and Slow the spread - Ensuring resilience in the forests of Kejimkujik with Hemlock Wooly Adelgid

What do you find most rewarding about working for your organization?

I work for Parks Canada whose mandate, to protect and restoration ecological integrity, aligns with my values. What has been most rewarding, however, is all that Parks Canada has taught me about the importance of restoring relationships (i.e., with Indigenous people and local communities). Parks Canada has long recognized that protected heritage places are social-ecological systems. I joined Parks Canada after finishing a PhD in ecology and I used to think that the solution to most problems was to collect more data. Now I see that people and relationships are central in the solution to every ecological issue. To quote retired Parks Canada bear biologist Michael Gibeau: “Science, while necessary, is not sufficient to solve problems in the real world.”

How long have you been a member of SER? What’s your best experience thus far?

My first conference was in 2004 and I’ve been to several since then. A highlight of my SER experience was facilitating the Global Forum at the 2019 SER World Conference in South Africa. The best experiences come from diving in and contributing, so my experiences with SER grew enormously once I worked on projects and joined committees – when I went beyond being “just a member” of SER.

What was your childhood dream job?

I never liked it when adults would ask me what I wanted “to do when I grow up”, so I’d say “paint the lines down the middle of the road”. As Brené Brown says, we should “major in curiosity”. I explored a lot of different paths and my favourite paths always took me into nature - and I mean figuratively and literally.

What’s your favorite moment of your career so far?

Day 2 of every restoration planning workshop that I have facilitated. In that moment, everyone in that room is feeling the power of having brought together their diverse experience and skill to address complex issues such as the impacts of climate change and invasive species.

Guilty pleasure: What can you not live without?

I sold 2 vehicles to buy a very fancy espresso machine. I start every day with a delicious coffee that fuels me wherever I need to go…. good thing since I have been car-free for decade now.