Photo by Tristan Brand

I am the Director of Science and Research and the Weston Family Senior Scientist at the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Northern British Columbia. 
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​​I've worked in conservation science across western North America, East Africa, and Latin America for 20 years, especially landscape ecology, habitat and species protection, the human dimensions of conservation, and the benefits people get from nature. My research tends to be quite applied, i.e., grounded in real life problems and solutions. I work hard to ensure that evidence informs and guides effective practices, policies, and laws. And ​I'm a big fan of science outreach, including media and policy engagement and public speaking. Here is selection of videos about my work.

I received the 2019 Early Career Conservationist Award from the Society for Conservation Biology for my work to strengthen the science in impact assessment in Canada. I was a 2016 Liber Ero Fellow and a 2015 Wilburforce Fellow in Conservation Science. I earned a BSc from the University of British Columbia, a PhD from McGill University, and did postdoctoral research at the University of Victoria.

My email address is aerin . jacob at natureconservancy . ca. ​You can find me on Bluesky and LinkedIn.