Could you introduce yourself and tell us more about your background and your career trajectory in the field of ecological restoration?

My name is Marina Best and I am an Indigenous professional who is passionate about ecological restoration! My educational background is within the social sciences, where I built upon my interests on how human society and societal relations impact the world around us. My personal connection with nature blended with this educational foundation, which enabled me to focus my career on advancing and supporting Indigenous-led conservation and ecological sustainability. I have balanced this experience through voluntarily supporting other initiatives, from environmental and health and wellness committees through my Indigenous community, to international conservation-focused committees.

Key to everything that I do is the holistic perspective of nature and people as one and therefore the need for a collective impact approach for people of all backgrounds and cultures to come together to fight the climate crisis and halt and reverse biodiversity loss. In order to achieve success, I emphasize the importance for all persons to have personal (re)connections and relationships with Mother Earth.

Much of my passion in this field stems from my identity as a Michif (Métis) woman. My Métis family originates from the Red River Settlement and I have roots in the historic Métis community of St. Louis, Saskatchewan. Some of my Métis family names include Lépine, McDougall, Lavallée, and Fidler.

What inspired you to join SER, and what do you value most about your membership?

I was inspired to join SER as its mission and vision aligned well with my personal interests and career path. The SER community is what I value most about my membership. I am so grateful to be connected to such a supportive and inspiring restoration community at a global scale. 

So you could say that SER’s purpose drew me in, but its community is what inspires me to stay and enhance my involvement!

Marina out in the field

Could you highlight a particular project or initiative you've been involved in that you're especially proud of or passionate about?

In 2022 and 2023, I had the honour to volunteer my time to support the Scaling Indigenous-led Conservation project through the Conservation Coaches Network’s Community of Practice - Conservation Standards Projects on Indigenous Lands and Waters. This project investigated how Healthy Country Planning blossomed in Australia as a successful planning and engagement tool with Indigenous Peoples and local communities—and how lessons learned can be applied internationally to achieve global conservation goals.

First of all, I cannot speak highly enough about the other individuals who supported this project. I am so honoured to have had the opportunity to collaborate with great minds around the world, who hold such critical knowledge when it comes to Indigenous-led conservation in their regions.

Secondly, seeing the similarities of the challenges and barriers that Indigenous communities are facing around the world when it comes to leading ecological restoration work was very impactful for me. It showcased the gravity of the issues, but it also inspired opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to come together to support and inspire each other.

Can you share some key lessons or insights you've gained from your work that you believe are important for the broader restoration community?

One of the most important lessons that I’ve learned from my work (and also my life!) is that relationships are the most crucial element for success. Developing and fostering relationships with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and stakeholders is a catalyst for projects to meet their goals. Therefore, taking the time and putting in the effort to create real genuine connections with people is so important.

Ecological restoration work provides opportunities for people to connect with nature in a manner that builds respect for it and a relationship with it. Thus, I wholeheartedly believe that successful restoration is only possible through focusing on people.

Marina with other organizing committee members on a site visit in Denver for SER2025

Are there specific ecological restoration principles or practices that you find particularly fascinating or effective, and how have you applied them in your work or projects?

Something that excites me the most about ecological restoration is the ability for community involvement. Much of the work in this realm depends on the efforts of communities, including people from all backgrounds and walks of life, such as youth and Elders. Ensuring that project goals align with community goals helps to build sustainability into a project. I have seen so many teaching opportunities blossom from being out on the land and water, and through that learning comes inspiration. Therefore, including community involvement in projects automatically allows for capacity building opportunities to blossom, but also generates future advocacy for ecological restoration work.

What advice do you have for students or emerging professionals who are considering a career in ecological restoration?

I would encourage students and emerging professionals to not think twice about pursuing a career in ecological restoration. I think a lot of recent innovation in this space comes from young minds, including those who may not have the traditional path to this field - as the interconnectivity of ecological restoration to health, social justice, and economics is intrinsic. Given that everything is connected when it comes to the environment, I find that students and emerging professionals bring value in this space and can add insightful perspectives to the conversation no matter their level of background or experience.

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

A fun fact about me that not many people know is that I speak a few languages and am incredibly interested in learning about different cultures. For instance, I lived in Germany for many years, speak French and Spanish at home with my husband, spent time volunteering in other countries (like Georgia), and also actively work to maintain proficiency in two of the Michif languages. This is just a small snapshot and I will be forever broadening my language learning journeys and similarly deepening my appreciation of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Marina on one of her family’s annual fishing trips

SER2025 Specific Questions:

What motivated you to take on the role of SER2025 Conference Committee Co-Chair?

My motivation to take on the role of SER2025 Conference Committee Co-Chair came from the positive experience that I had at SER2023 in Darwin, Australia. While in Darwin, I had the privilege and pleasure of connecting with so many great minds around the world who are doing amazing work in the field of ecological restoration. Individuals like KM Reyes, a Conservationist working with local Indigenous Peoples to restore rainforests in Palawan in the Philippines, or Aaron Eger, who is the Program Director for the Kelp Forest Alliance, are just two of the inspiring young professionals who I never would have had the opportunity to connect with otherwise. It was those amazing experiences at SER2023 that inspired me to further volunteer my time to build on the successes and opportunities of the Darwin conference and help make SER2025 the best one yet!

How will SER2025 facilitate networking and collaboration among attendees?

SER2025 hopes to build upon the successes of SER2023 and foster opportunities for people from all different backgrounds and experiences to come together to learn and share. It is the intention of myself and fellow organizing committee members to create an experience where everyone truly feels a part of the SER community and is able to take away knowledge, friendships, and inspiration from their time at the conference.

Marina and her sister, Montana, posing for a photo after both receiving a Mental Wellness and Harm Reduction Sash at a Métis health and wellness gathering

How can members stay updated and get involved in the lead-up to the conference?

Members can stay up-to-date with SER2025 by regularly visiting the SER2025.org website. I also recommend that members regularly check the news page on the SER.org website and read the quarterly SERNews newsletter. If members are interested in getting involved and supporting the lead-up to the conference, they are welcome to reach out via the SER2025.org website!

How can members get the most out of their experience at SER2025? Do you have any tips or advice?

I recommend participating in a wide variety of sessions, including attending some that are outside of one’s area of expertise. At SER2023, I learned so much from participating in sessions that do not necessarily fit within my background or area of expertise. For instance, I remember so much from the Forest Landscape Restoration in Africa Initiative symposium. I found a lot of similarities in the need for Free, Prior, and Informed Consent and fair access to land resources in Africa that I have seen in my life and work with Indigenous Peoples in North America. Venturing outside of my comfort zone and enhancing my understanding of ecological restoration in Africa allowed me to better contextualize challenges and barriers that I see in my own work. So I challenge SER2025 participants to go outside of their comfort zone to truly get the most out of their experience.

What are you most looking forward to at SER2025 and why would you encourage members to attend?

I am really looking forward to continuing to broaden my knowledge and learn from some great minds from around the globe. I am also excited to strengthen the connections that I made at SER2023 and create new friendships with other participants.

I encourage members to attend SER2025 as I know from experience that it will be an exceptionally valuable opportunity to learn, expand one’s network, showcase one’s work, and unite with a community that is passionate about global ecological restoration.