May 30th, 2024
Featured Ecologist: Ellia Simmons
Who or what inspired you to become an ecologist?
When I had just started High School, my family and I moved up to Placerville, a sleepy mining town southeast of the breathtaking Lake Tahoe. My sophomore year of high school, I stumbled upon a bulletin for a whitewater river guide training, and with no experience, but lots of teenage confidence, began my journey to become a whitewater river guide. I guided on the south fork and middle fork of the American River for four seasons, spending my summers immersed in the river culture and learning about the rich history of my new surroundings. The river I guided on is the location of Sutter’s Mill, where gold was first discovered in California, and this provided me with a wealth of knowledge (although some of it is myth) on the history of mining in California. While on the river, I was able to see firsthand the long-lasting environmental effects of poor environmental stewardship related to mining, as well as the complex relationship between preservation and recreation. My time spent as a part of a larger ecosystem inspired me to learn all I could about the natural world, where I was exposed to the study of ecology. The interconnectedness and synthesis properties of ecology resonated with me, and I have been a passionate student of ecology ever since.
What are you most looking forward to in your role? Why?
I am most looking forward to working on diverse and fascinating projects at Great Ecology, as well as absorbing the wealth of information to be gained from my esteemed colleagues. Part of me feels like I am back in school (which I loved) getting one on one time with amazing professors and mentors learning new skills and information every day.
What is a typical day like for you at work?
A typical day consists of logging on in my beautiful home office and reviewing my emails from the morning and my tasks for the day. I write in my planner what I hope to accomplish in my time blocks between meetings and set my goals. I usually start with a small affirmation and then begin on my tasks. I love working at Great Ecology because I have many tasks I need to accomplish throughout the day on different projects, so every day is fresh and unique. I am often on calls which makes the work from home isolation much more manageable, and I am often chatting with my co-workers and getting on impromptu calls to discuss and collaborate. The collaborative atmosphere at Great Ecology is well fostered and supported, which makes the exchange of ideas on project work seamless and enriching.
If you had free reign and unlimited resources, what environmental issue would you most like to tackle?
If given free rein and unlimited resources, the environmental issue I would most like to tackle is biodiversity loss. Biodiversity is the cornerstone of ecology and is crucial for the stability and resilience of our planet, including our ability to fight climate change. However, it is currently facing unprecedented threats from habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, overexploitation, and invasive species. Ways to help tackle the threat to biodiversity are expansion of protected areas, restoration of degraded ecosystem, departure from monoculture farming, promoting sustainable agriculture and fisheries, conservation and protection of freshwater systems, invasive species control and more! This issue is such a large issue that taps into the core ideas of interconnectedness, ecology, coevolution, and coexistence, that requires us to place importance on things that may not be eye-catching to the average citizen, which is why it is so challenging to accomplish. But with free reign and unlimited resources, we could do anything.
What do you think the future of ecology will look like?
The future of ecology holds immense potential for innovation and transformative change, driven by advancements in technology, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a growing global awareness of environmental issues. I think we will see huge advancement in GIS technology as the driving force for ecological analysis, and the use of Artificial Intelligence to analyze incomprehensible data points. Additionally, environmental sensors and wildlife trackers will provide continuous data on a plethora of ecological parameters. I hope to see a holistic approach to ecology, focusing on the collaboration between fields such as seismology, economics, and public health to address these complex environmental challenges we are facing. Finally, I hope to see all of this analysis and effort turned into clear and enforceable public policy.
Do you have any advice for people considering a career as an ecologist?
Pursuing a career as an ecologist can be both fulfilling and impactful, offering opportunities to contribute to the understanding and conservation of the natural world. My greatest advice would be to explore the various areas of ecology such as marine ecology, forest ecology, conservation biology, wildlife biology, or even urban ecology and find what brings you the most excitement when learning about it. If you pursue your passions, you will not only find greater joy in your work, but will also be more productive and valuable to future employers.
