Members in Action: Sarah Cotter

Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Posted by: Elise Mackie

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SER's Members in Action program spotlights the work of our members – individuals, groups, student associations, and chapters – and helps to communicate ecological restoration initiatives and projects to other members and new audiences.

In this spotlight, we feature Sarah Cotter – Collaborative Conservation Advisor for Parks Canada and former SER Social Media Coordinator. We are truly grateful to Sarah for managing and growing SER's social media platforms over the last 3 years, and we invited Sarah to share what she finds most rewarding about her work and her goals for the future.

Sarah conducting helicopter surveys of spruce budworm populations in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland.

What has been your best experience with SER so far?

I have been a member of SER for nearly four years. I think my favourite experience so far was SER2021, the virtual conference. It was incredible to see people pull together and use ingenuity and creativity to make the best of meeting in a virtual format. I participated while on a 5 day kayak trip, so that was a fun bonus!

Why did you join SER?

I joined SER as a member when I was hired to be their social media coordinator! It has been such a joy to be connected to this global network of restoration practitioners.

Sarah restoring a Garry oak meadow in Metchosin, BC.

What is your current occupation?

I am a Collaborative Conservation Advisor for Parks Canada. My primary role is to support parks across the country as they plan conservation and restoration projects, in a way that is collaborative and strategic.

Please tell us about your career trajectory in the field of ecological restoration?

I have been incredibly lucky to work at national and international scales, facilitating strategic restoration planning processes. I hope to continue this work, to grow as a facilitator, and to increase my work in hands-on restoration closer to home.

Sarah conducting vegetation surveys on Tumbo Island, BC.

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

Working with different national parks across Canada means that I am exposed to a huge range of people and projects in all sorts of ecosystems. I’ve gotten to work with projects restoring salmon populations in the Atlantic, restoring forests in the Yukon, defending against Aquatic Invasive Species in the Rockies, and managing deer populations in Ontario — to name just a few! It is deeply moving to see all the incredible work being done by passionate people to restore our environment — it brings me so much hope for the future!

“It is deeply moving to see all the incredible work being done by passionate people to restore our environment — it brings me so much hope for the future!”

What projects are you working on right now?

These days, I am taking a break from my position and enjoying maternity leave with my 5 week old daughter, Junie. But restoration is a lifestyle, and at 3 weeks old Junie attended her first volunteer event at our local park, planting willow stakes to support a stream bank (while attached to her momma, of course!).