This October, Conservation Solutions Hub was excited to welcome Dr. Susan Preston as part of our monthly Lunch and Learn series.
Susan is a researcher, analyst, advisor, writer, and educator whose work has focused on conservation, environmental policy, ecosystem services, nature-based solutions, and the many ways people value and connect with nature. During her 17-year career at Environment and Climate Change Canada, she led and contributed to initiatives that helped bring biodiversity and ecosystem services into policy and decision-making.
Susan shared reflections from her career, including her early work on ecosystem services at a time when few social scientists were working in the field. She emphasized that ecosystem services are not simply about economics, but rather a framework for understanding how human well-being depends on healthy ecosystems. By highlighting benefits such as recreation, health, culture, and community well-being, the framework helps policymakers better understand the broad value of nature.
She also discussed her role in developing the Canadian Nature Survey, which received over 24,000 responses from Canadians about their participation in nature-related activities. The survey provided insights into how Canadians engage with and benefit from nature and remains an important resource for conservation planning and policy.
A key message from Susan's presentation was that the word value means different things to different audiences. While economic estimates can help communicate humanity's dependence on nature, they should be viewed as illustrative rather than literal. Nature's importance extends far beyond what can be captured in dollars and cents.
In reflecting on her career, Susan encouraged us to be ambitious in our work, approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset, and be brave in bringing forward new ideas. Rather than waiting for opportunities to appear, she encouraged the importance of taking initiative and creating opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
We thank Susan for sharing her expertise and experiences with the Conservation Solutions Hub, and for reminding us of the many ways nature supports our lives and how strengthening these connections can help advance conservation.
