Local Journalism Initiative
On Feb. 11, the North Coast Ecology Centre celebrated the 10th Annual International Day for Women and Girls in Science with its all-female staff.
The society is working to create a permanent education centre in Prince Rupert that highlights the region’s ecological abundance.
“In doing this, we hope to inspire a love for our beautiful corner of the world by sharing its wonders and providing education for conserving the local environment and its species based out of Prince Rupert,” said Madelaine Picard, the centre’s social media coordinator.
“I think it’s essential for women and girls everywhere to explore scientific fields. Science has long been mostly inaccessible to women, and still, societally, we are often pushed to other careers.”
Madelaine Picard, Social Media Coordinator at the North Coast Ecology Centre
Picard was formerly an environmental educator for the charity. She has Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a specialization in biodiversity and conservation.
“I think it’s essential for women and girls everywhere to explore scientific fields. Science has long been mostly inaccessible to women, and still, societally, we are often pushed to other careers,” said Picard.
The first woman to earn a Ph.D in Marine Biology in Canada was Dr. Hellen Battle, who graduated from the University of Toronto in 1928.
“Although this may seem like a long time ago, and granted, it was almost 100 years ago, it’s important to keep in mind that men had been studying marine biology (and other disciplines) for hundreds of years while women had been prevented from even attending university,” Picard said.
The Ecological Society was founded in 2017 and also aims to help revitalize Prince Rupert and stimulate its economy. Their first Pop-Up Ecology Centre in 2021 held at the Northland Cruise Terminal was a huge success. It led to a semi-permanent centre at the Lax Süülda container market for the past two summers. They’ll be returning this season as well.
Additionally, the team hosts activities such as the Coastal Conversations Speaker Series and provides online educational content. Their latest is a bird-watching tour organized for Feb. 16.
“The north coast of BC is such a unique yet understudied area of the world. I think its unique intricacy and biological diversity means it requires diverse people from diverse backgrounds to appreciate and understand it,” said Picard.
She finds women bring in those diverse perspectives, contributing uniquely to the field of ecology. It is essential in scientific fields, as diverse perspectives push research forward.
“Historically, science was shaped by a limited group of people and leaving out different perspectives leads to gaps in knowledge or solutions that don’t work for everyone.”
Madelaine Picard, Social Media Coordinator at the North Coast Ecology Centre
“Science is about creativity and generating ideas, and that works better when you have a variety of approaches brought by people from different backgrounds,” said Picard.
“It also helps us deal with bias. Historically, science was shaped by a limited group of people and leaving out different perspectives leads to gaps in knowledge or solutions that don’t work for everyone,” she added.
In this case, it was purely coincidental that in both years, the staff members have been women. They have been excited to see the overwhelming enthusiasm among women applying for their biology-based positions. However, spots are open to everyone.
Picard was born and raised on the biodiversity-rich Kaien Island.
“I was raised to love and appreciate the natural world. However, as I grew up and especially when I moved to Ontario for university, I learned that not everyone was raised that way,” she said. “In fact, many of the people I met had never known what lived even right in their backyards, nevermind the rest of the world’s ecosystems,” she said.
This period is what pushed her to realize how crucial environmental education is.
“Although times have changed, at least in Canada, I think it will always be important for us to celebrate women and girls in science and to stand proudly on the shoulders of the women who had to struggle to give us what we have today and who helped open these doors for us.”
Madelaine Picard, Social Media Coordinator at the North Coast Ecology Centre
“I learned what a privilege it is to experience and know about the natural world, but I wish it wasn’t as rare as it is,” said Picard.
The society is currently looking for three environmental educators for the 2025 summer Lax Süülda container market.
“Although times have changed, at least in Canada, I think it will always be important for us to celebrate women and girls in science and to stand proudly on the shoulders of the women who had to struggle to give us what we have today and who helped open these doors for us,” Picard said.
