A couple of weeks ago, I sat down to research an influential woman in conservation in honor of Women’s History Month. There are many across the nation and world, but as I was scrolling and attempting to choose, it dawned on me that I was surrounded by incredibly driven women in conservation who are making local impact every day, and who I am honored to call my coworkers. I decided to explore more about what lights them up and inspires their daily work and efforts on behalf of our mission and the health of our communities.
These go-getters in their varied roles are coming at conservation from all angles, but that’s what it takes to make positive change! I felt myself reenergized and uplifted by their answers, and didn’t want to keep that all to myself. Enjoy getting to know some of the inspiring women of The Conservation Foundation!!!
NANCY CINATL
Conservation@Home Assistant, Watershed Administrative Assistant
Why do you choose to do this work?
I love the Conservation@Home part of my work. I love to spend time with plants, I like to talk to people about plants, I like to smell the flowers, to see who’s visiting the flowers, to learn how the plants interact with each other and animals and share that information with others. Interestingly enough, I took a circuitous path to get here but my experiences along the way have enabled me to bring a unique set of talents to the organization: from my upbringing in the woods, to my biology major in college, to my detour in the brokerage business and as a self-employed bookkeeper, I now use my bookkeeping skills and my investment knowledge for the workgroups and my biology/science background in all aspects of my work.
Share a memorable past experience in your conservation career.
One summer day when I was five, I was supposed to be napping in my bedroom but was sitting up in bed (what 5-year old wants to nap?) when I looked out the window towards the large elm tree just 20-30 feet away and saw a pileated woodpecker. I knew exactly what it was because we had a large Audubon print of pileated woodpeckers in our dining room. I was very excited to have seen it and to have known what it was. I didn’t see one again on the property until just a few years ago and was thrilled again. They were back after 55 years or so.
Do you have any female conservation role models or inspirations?
My mother was very interested in identifying the plants on our woodland property. She was also chatty so whenever we went for a walk she would talk about the plants we were seeing and call them by name. This was particularly helpful for me in learning the spring ephemerals that emerged, bloomed and were gone within a couple of weeks, not to be seen again until the following spring. She also kept the bird feeder full every day all winter long; and we watched the birds while we ate breakfast and lunch. The binoculars had a permanent spot on the kitchen counter in case we needed a closer look. By the time I was 10 years old I had a long list of birds I could identify.
Do you have a motto or mantra?
I hadn’t thought about that before but I would say, “Nature is my happy place” (and just saying that makes me want to do a little dance).
What’s your favorite local nature space?
I don’t have a favorite spot but I have a favorite time: The perfect spring day when it’s about 72 degrees, the woodland is covered with flowers, the bees and early butterflies are out visiting them, the sun is warm on my skin, the tree leaves are emerging, soft as a baby’s skin, and the birds are singing all around me. That kind of day is a bit of heaven.
What in nature brings you the most happiness?
The colors, the sounds, the smells and the variety…. nature is endlessly interesting!
RENAE FRIGO
Land Stewardship Manager
Why do you choose to do this work?
Protecting ecosystems and all that inhabit them, and interacting respectfully with land is very important to me.
Share a memorable past experience in your conservation.
Many memorable experiences involve wildlife I’ve encountered while working in the field – from a close interaction with a black bear in Pennsylvania, to watching a coyote snarf up dozens of apples in an abandoned orchard, to nearly stepping on newborn fawns laying on the ground, to being enveloped in masses of migrating green darner dragonflies or monarch butterflies.
Do you have any female conservation role models or inspirations?
I have been raised by, educated by, and worked with many amazing women over my life. Too many to name, but most are humble, local heroes that quietly work to make this planet a healthier place.
What’s your favorite local nature space?
My new favorite nature space is Belrose Farm in LaSalle County, which was preserved in the past year.
What in nature brings you the most happiness?
I try to be awake and outside most mornings when the sun is rising. It makes me happy to start a new day, with new opportunities, in the presence of a constant, steady and beautiful event that happens worldwide, yet can be very personal at the same time.
ALLI McILVAIN
Digital Marketing Specialist
Why do you choose to do this work?
Conservation is meaningful to me. I come from a family of service workers (teachers, nurses, care-givers, etc.) who have set great examples of how to give back. So, it’s always been a priority of mine to not only love the work I do (which is easy at The Conservation Foundation), but to also make a lasting impact, which conservation work allows me to do.
Share a memorable past experience in your conservation career.
I love spending time at McDonald Farm! In my short time here, losing power during a rain storm while setting up for an outdoor event has been the most memorable. It also didn’t help that I had managed to lose my phone in the barn at the same time!
Any unique challenges or opportunities or impacts you’ve been able to have as a woman in conservation?
While the conservation community can sometimes feature more men than women, a unique opportunity at The Conservation Foundation is that our whole Advancement team is female. I love working on a team with strong, smart and capable women who set great examples of for women in conservation.
What’s your favorite local nature space?
I live in the city, so my favorite spot is the Lakefront Trail! I go for a walk or run on the trail almost every day, and love the views across Lake Michigan and of the Chicago skyline.
What in nature brings you the most happiness?
I love the peacefulness I get from nature. I appreciate the peace and quiet even more after spending a lot of time in the city. It’s nice to get out of my own head and connect with nature.
HANNA MILLER
Watershed Project Manager
Why do you choose to do this work?
I choose to do this work because I care about nature and protecting our natural environment and clean water is a critical piece of that. Healthy communities thrive on clean water and so do our native wildlife and plants.
Share a memorable past experience in your conservation.
In my previous job, we would do quarterly creek monitoring and stream walking. The most memorable stream walks involved wildlife. It was always incredible to me to see how many different types of wildlife and plants were absolutely dependent on the ecosystem and habitats in the creeks and around the local waterways. The creek walks I remember most were the one where we got charged by a massive snapping turtle that could have easily broken many bones or the one where a 6-foot black snake fell out of a tree overhead. I don’t do snakes or snapping turtles, I don’t think I’ve ever run faster ever (and that was running against the current, in heavy waders, and in knee to thigh deep water).
JESSICA MINO
Kane & Kendall County Program Director
Why do you choose to do this work?
To spend each day trying to make a positive impact for all living things (all people to the tiniest organism or plant) <See below quote. ?>
Do you have any female conservation role models or inspirations?
Dr. Sylvia Earle who has led the way for women in science, scuba divers, and global conservation. She has been the chief scientist at NOAA, led the first all-female deep sea exploration team, set the world’s untethered diving record, made significant advancements to ocean submersibles, and still finds a way to clearly communicate and connect with the everyday person about the issues and importance of protecting our planet.
I could go on and on about how she has inspired me, but will instead encourage everyone you know to watch her film ‘Mission Blue’ (on Netflix!). It highlights her work, the importance of all living things on this earth, how each person can make a difference, and honestly parallels why I am in the conservation field – even in the Midwest, our rivers still run to the oceans. Our lands still run to the rivers. And each living thing is important to this planet.
Christina Mittermeier who is an amazing conservation photographer and conservation communicator. Her passion, knowledge, and ability to connect people to the life on this planet and bring to light human impacts on it is creating incredible change. Her org is SeaLegacy (“Storytelling to amplify ocean solutions”).
These are all in addition to the amazing women I get to work with each day within our organization and across our partners!
Do you have a motto or mantra?
“Each day, you have an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall
I think this applies to the planet, conservation, our human society and everything else about life.
What’s your favorite local nature place?
Kendall – Little Rock Creek Forest Preserve
Kane – Gray Willows Farm, Headwaters Conservation Area, Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary, Ferson Creek Fen
McHenry (by where I live now) – Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Area, and Dufield Pond South Entrance trail
And, my back yard thanks to Conservation@Home!
What in nature brings you the most happiness?
The diversity and intricacies. ? So many things to see, smell, hear, feel, and learn about. You can always find peace or entertainment in nature, whatever you’re needing that day.
KYLA MUHAMMAD
Community Engagement Coordinator
Why do you choose to do this work?
I am infatuated with nature and the ecosystem and all of the bountiful gifts that they provide us. I chose this work because I want to help people connect, reconnect, and deepen connections with the ecosystem and to understand and appreciate that when we take care of the Earth, the Earth takes care of us. Specifically, for communities that have been both intentionally and unintentionally disengaged with nature, I aim to find creative ways to renew that spark.
Do you have any female conservation role models or inspirations?
As a naturalist, I am inspired by the stories of Harriet Tubman, who used her deep understanding of nature, plants, and wildlife to successfully guide enslaved people to freedom. I am also inspired by Kenyan conservationist, Wangari Maathai, who started a tree planting revolution in Kenya, which resulted in over 50 million trees being planted and her being the first environmentalist to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She showed that small gestures like planting a tree can have huge environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Do you have a motto or mantra?
My personal mantra is “For all people to fall in love with nature”
What’s your favorite local nature space?
My favorite (localish) nature space is Shawnee National Forest. I just feel like it’s magical there and I find it incredibly beautiful. It has such unique topography and habitat for Illinois, it makes me feel like you’ve been totally transported somewhere much further away.
