Nina Howell says a summer experiential learning opportunity in Hawaii has reshaped how she views environmental conservation and has strengthened her plans for a future career in the field.
Howell, a third-year student pursuing a dual degree in music and environmental science, received funding through McGill's Bieler School of Environment's Bieler Experiential Learning Fund (BELF), allowing her to spend several weeks on Oahu exploring natural resource management and conservation practices.
After learning about BELF funding, Howell contacted a cousin who works in Hawaii's environmental sector. That connection led to a unique career-shadowing experience that exposed her to both policy and field-based conservation work.
Serving as Oahu's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Howell's cousin, oversees a broad range of projects that include natural resource management, wildlife conservation, trail systems and community partnerships.
During her stay, Howell attended meetings on topics ranging from reforestation initiatives and Indigenous community co-management agreements to military land-use issues and the removal of unexploded military ordinance from lands intended for conservation and public recreation.
"It really opened my eyes to how detailed environmental work can be," she said. "There are so many different factors and partnerships that go into protecting a landscape."
The experience also gave Howell the opportunity to work in the field alongside researchers, technicians and volunteers.
Howell participated in invasive species management projects, including the removal of coqui frogs, an invasive species in Hawaii, and helped control invasive plants in protected natural areas. She also accompanied a researcher studying how native and non-native birds disperse seeds through forest ecosystems.
The work highlighted the unique vulnerabilities of island ecosystems, where a single introduced species can have outsized impacts on biodiversity.
"I became much more aware of the challenges that are specific to island environments," Howell said. "Every species plays a particular role, and introducing something new can have major consequences."
Howell plans to apply lessons from Hawaii to a future tropical field studies program in Barbados, where she hopes to examine the relationship between conservation and agriculture in another island setting.
Beyond ecological lessons, she said one of the most influential aspects of the trip was observing how Indigenous knowledge is incorporated into environmental stewardship in Hawaii.
Before entering field sites, workers often participate in an oli, a traditional Hawaiian chant that acknowledges the land and those who have cared for it across generations.
"It was a way of recognizing that we're acting as stewards of the land and respecting the people who came before us," Howell said.
The experience encouraged her to think more deeply about the relationship between people and nature and the role of Indigenous perspectives in environmental decision-making.
"I think sometimes as environmental science students we're very focused on data and science," she said. "This reminded me that the environment is something living that deserves respect."
The trip also left Howell with a renewed sense of optimism about the environmental sector.
Environmental studies can often focus on the challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss, she said, but meeting professionals working on conservation projects showed her the passion that drives people in the field.
"Everyone I met genuinely loved what they were doing," she said. "They're working hard to make a difference, and that gave me hope."
The experience has also influenced how she sees her future career. Before travelling to Hawaii, Howell imagined herself eventually working in environmental policy or another office-based role. Now she believes gaining practical field experience will be an important first step.
"I need to start at the source," she said. "Working in the field helps you understand the land and the realities behind the policies."
By observing professionals who began as field technicians and advanced into leadership positions, Howell gained a greater appreciation for the range of opportunities available in environmental careers.
"It's made me much more open-minded about where my path can lead," she said.
Reflecting on the role BELF played in making the experience possible, Howell expressed gratitude for the support.
"If I hadn't had BELF funding, I wouldn't have done it," she said. "Having access to resources like this and knowing the university supports these opportunities is invaluable."
For Howell, the trip delivered far more than professional experience. It provided a deeper understanding of conservation, expanded her career ambitions and reinforced her commitment to protecting the natural world through both science and stewardship.