Advice about careers in conservation

Why I share these resources:
With more than 20 years of working across ecology, conservation strategy and cross‑sector partnerships, I understand how the right role can catalyze big impact. Whether you’re advancing science, shaping policy, or leading teams, these resources and tips can help you move toward leadership and influence.

Resources I curate: 

• I share conservation-related jobs, and insights from working in this field, on LinkedIn and Bluesky. Follow me to get notified. 
• ​I made a list of scholarships and fellowships in conservation, environment, science, and related communication. 

Some good advice: 

• Blickley et al. 2013. "Graduate student's guide to necessary skills for nonacademic conservation careers". Conservation Biology.
• Chapman et al. 2015. "Being relevant: Practical guidance for early career researchers interested in solving conservation problems". Global Ecology and Conservation.
• Gewin. 2005. "Save the world and keep a career." Nature. 
• Goodrich et al. 2020. "Who are boundary spanners and how can we support them in making knowledge more actionable in sustainability fields?"  Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability.
• Hatch et al. 2022. "Boundary spanners: a critical role for enduring collaborations between Indigenous communities and mainstream scientists". Ecology & Society.
• Lucas et al. 2017.  "A view of the global conservation job market and how to succeed in it". Conservation Biology.
• Muir & Schwartz. 2009."Academic research training for a nonacademic workplace: A case study of graduate student alumni who work in conservation". Conservation Biology.
• Smol. 2016. "Some advice to early career scientists: Personal perspectives on surviving in a complex world". Ideas in Ecology and Evolution.
• Zavaleta et al. 2017."Expanding career pathways in conservation science". Conservation Biology.​

Interviews, blog posts, etc:

• Blog "How to get a job in conservation (and love your work!)" by James Borrell
• "Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology" book, workshops, etc. by Stephanie Manka
• "Exploring Ecological Careers" series by ESA
• Interviews with conservationists from around the world via National Geographic
• So you want to save the world, by Mark Tercek
• Multiple resources from Green Careers Centre, including how-to guides (e.g., networking, mentorship, skills) and job boards

Explore job boards & listings

Here are some trusted channels that regularly list conservation, science, environment and policy roles in Canada and internationally:
​
​Canada

• Canadian Black Scientists Network
• Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution 
• Ducks Unlimited Canada ← Not a job board, but a big NGO that hires often. 
• Earthworks: ecology, conservation, biodiversity and restoration
• Eco Canada
• Good Work Canada 
• Green Careers Centre provides support to prepare underrepresented youth in Canada for "green" careers
• Facebook groups for Canada-wide (very active), Prairies, Ontario, and the Maritimes. 
• Nature Conservancy of Canada ← Not a job board, but a big NGO that hires often 
• Policy Jobs TO is a weekly newsletter for policy-related jobs in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
• Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science
• WorkCabin 

International

• ECOLOG listserv archives 
• Land Trust Alliance has a job board for many US land trusts
• Society for Conservation Biology
• Stop Dodo
• Texas A&M Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
• The Nature Conservancy has U.S. and international postings
• Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative focuses on western Canada and the U.S. 

Compensation (salaries, benefits)

I am an advocated for compensation transparency, a.k.a. Show the Salary. It improves equity, reduces gaps that disproportionately affect women and minoritized and marginalized groups, respects applicants' time, and improves applicant pools. 

Learn more about salaries in conservation, mostly North America:

• Glass Door
• TREC's biennial salary survey (the previous survey is free)
• CPAWS Yukon is a leader in compensation and hiring transparency 
• View and contribute to Ask A Manager's annual salary survey