Introduction to The Nice Girl’s Handbook Series: Why Ecosystem Restoration Needs More Women

As I celebrate my two-year anniversary working in ecosystem restoration, I am compelled to reflect on both our achievements and the challenges that lie ahead. This field, teeming with potential, stands at a crossroads, susceptible to becoming yet another male-dominated sector unless we actively champion inclusivity.

Ecosystem restoration is not merely a job; it is an imperative mission for the future of our planet. The complexity and significance of this task demand a multitude of perspectives, rather than being confined to a singularly dictated ‘right way’—a concept that remains elusive and undefined. Yet, some voices, loud and insistent, risk propelling us toward familiar territory where only a select few set the course.

This reality underscores the necessity for more women in ecosystem restoration, particularly the inclusion of indigenous women whose communities are intricately tied to the lands we aim to rehabilitate. It’s not about excluding men—many of my male colleagues, such as our project manager, are staunch advocates for progressive change. Rather, it’s about broadening our scope to embrace diverse viewpoints that reflect the world we all inhabit. Indigenous women, for instance, bring invaluable knowledge and centuries-old practices of environmental stewardship, which are critical yet often overlooked assets in sustainable ecological management (Cruz-Alonso et al., 2023, Restoration Ecology).

Unfortunately, where financial stakes are high, detrimental behaviors often surface. My background in finance has revealed how damaging a profit-centric focus can be, particularly in fields like ecosystem restoration where the stakes transcend monetary value. Studies like those conducted by Cruz-Alonso et al. (2023) and James et al. (2023, Frontiers in Environmental Science) discuss how the sector is not immune to broader systemic biases that challenge gender equity, highlighting barriers such as pay disparity, fewer advancement opportunities, and a higher burden of caregiving responsibilities borne by women, which collectively impede their leadership roles in conservation.

We are all stakeholders of our future, and every design and decision must mirror this collective custodianship. Just as nature thrives on diversity, so must our efforts to restore and preserve her. We must ensure the manifold voices of women, particularly those of indigenous communities, are amplified and integrated into our restoration strategies, not just to challenge the status quo but to enrich it genuinely.
In our quest to mend our planet, let’s not confine the responsibility to those who claim monopolistic expertise on the pathways to restoration. We must ensure that diverse voices, especially those of women and indigenous communities, are not only heard but are also pivotal in shaping our strategies. The planet’s future is too precious to be left in the hands of a select few.

Join me as we journey through “The Nice Girls Handbook” series, where we will celebrate the powerful, often unsung, heroines of ecosystem restoration. Let’s not leave the monumental task of healing our planet only to those who claim to know the only way. We must ensure that diverse voices, especially those of women and indigenous communities, are not only heard but are also pivotal in shaping our strategies. The planet’s future is too precious to be left in the hands of a select few. Please add in the chat any women in ecosystem restoration you would like to see highlighted.