Author: Heather Cain

 

My Australian Adventure: Environmental Conservation and Self-Discovery in the Land Down Under: Heather Cain ’26 at Practical Ecology in Australia

Dec 04, 2025
 

G’day from Melbourne, Australia! My path to an Environmental Science degree at Antioch has led me on an incredible journey to “the land down under”, where I’m currently participating in a co-op with Practical Ecology with my roommate and host, former Antioch College alumni Lincoln Kern (Class of 1986). This has been a transformative experience that has pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. I’ve loved getting to explore what it means to make a positive ecological impact on the world around me.

Melbourne is such a special city, and I’m excited to talk more about my experience down here in “Oz”!

 

 

Settling into Life in Melbourne~

The past three months in Australia have been an absolute whirlwind of cultural and ecological highlights. When I first arrived in Melbourne, I was amazed at the quality of the people here. I’ve been met with so much kindness and openness from everyone around me. My first few weeks had a period of settling into a different culture entirely, and there were some difficult periods and some truly wonderful experiences.

 

 

One particular favorite experience was being invited along to experience the snow-covered beauty of a snowgum forest at Mount Hotham during the Australian Backcountry Festival. I really enjoyed seeing a side of Australia not commonly portrayed in the media- one with mountainous terrain and snow-covered peaks.

 

 

This was a sharp contrast to the following week spent visiting the warmer, more tropical climate of Northern Queensland. In the lovely little city of Cairns, I experienced the Great Barrier Reef via snorkeling, hiking in Fitzroy Island, and the misty peaks of the Daintree Rainforest. It was beautiful experience I’ll never forget.

 

In a more cultural setting, I’ve also been immersing myself in the rich artistic heritage of the National Gallery Victoria and the Potter Museum of Art’s “65,000 years” exhibition on Aboriginal artwork, I’ve already seen so much. I joke with locals that I’m basically a Melbourne native, having picked a proper “footy” team (the local sport, Australian football) and have even acquired a quintessential black puffer jacket that’s perfect for the fickle weather conditions! On a more serious note, I’ve been intentional about staying connected with friends and family back home, which has been incredibly important.

 

 

Practical Ecology: My Role in Conservation~

My co-op organization, Practical Ecology (https://www.practicalecology.com.au/) is dedicated to environmental restoration and conservation work. Their impactful mission guides everything we do:

Mission Statement-
-To provide services to survey, assess, manage, enhance and/or recreate indigenous vegetation and habitats to conserve indigenous biodiversity.
-To combine planning and implementation services that allows us to fulfil the needs of managing indigenous flora and fauna and bushfire risk during all stages of land management and planning – from planning and design stages to ecological restoration implementation.

Practical Ecology operates by prioritizing “The Three R’s” of ecological restoration: Retention/Reservation, Restoration, and Revegetation. Retaining remnant vegetation is always the highest priority because, as the company philosophy notes, it is “the least expensive and most effective way of preserving indigenous flora and fauna in their habitats.” Understanding this tiered approach to conservation provides critical context for my work.

My day-to-day responsibilities are diverse and impactful. I’m often found planting native flora in parks and meticulously weeding out non-native vegetation, as well as visiting different sites to assess restoration needs. It brings me joy to plant these little guys and think about the positive impact they’ll have as they grow. I’m also becoming much more proficient at identifying indigenous flora and improving my weed identification skills.
Beyond the fieldwork, I’ve been working on a crucial project to organize and digitize the company’s extensive library of field data and project records. This variety of work has given me a more holistic understanding of how an environmental consulting firm operates – from physical labor to strategic planning.

 

Reflection on Educational Goals and Purpose~

This co-op experience, for me, has become a journey of self-discovery.

My initial goals were focused on exploring a new environment, identifying local species, and preparing for a senior project. While I’ve been actively pursuing all of these, the most significant outcome has been a personal realization about my future career path.

My time here is confirming that my passion lies in fields with a stronger social and human element. While I love making an impact on flora and fauna, I’ve realized I need a job with more of a social component and elements of human complexity. I love teaching, and I’m interested in a career where I can have a meaningful impact on society in that way.

This co-op is serving as a critical step in refining my professional aspirations and helping me understand what I truly value in a career.

Cheers!

-Heather

 

From City Streets to Mountain Peaks: Heather Cain ’26 as Conservation Crew Lead with Rocky Mountain Youth Corps

Feb 25, 2025
 

My summer as a Conservation Corps Crew Lead with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) was a transformative experience. It was a stark departure from my urban upbringing and a challenging yet incredibly meaningful adventure that pushed me beyond my comfort zone and solidified my passion for empowering young people and protecting our natural resources.

The RMYC’s mission is to engage young people in service projects that benefit public lands while fostering personal growth and environmental stewardship. My role as a Crew Lead placed me at the heart of this mission. I served as co-lead for an all-female crew of 10-12 teenage girls performing service projects, where I was responsible for their well-being, project work, and overall experience during two-week-long “hitches” in the rugged Rocky Mountain environment. We lived, worked, and explored together 24/7, which created a unique and intense learning environment.

My day-to-day experience was a whirlwind of activity. Each day began early between 5-6 AM, often with a safety briefing and a plan for the day’s conservation project. This could involve anything from trail building, invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and fence construction. We worked alongside RMYC staff and project partners learning valuable skills and contributing directly to the preservation of these incredible landscapes. Beyond the physical labor, my co-leader and I managed camp operations including meal planning, grocery shopping, vehicle maintenance, and general camp hygiene. We also facilitated team-building activities, engaged with environmental education workshops using the RMYC Seed Education Curriculum, and organized weekend recreational activities. We were mentors and role models, and the essence of our role was supporting the physical and emotional well-being of our crew members, along with fostering a positive and inclusive team dynamic.

This experience had a profound impact on both the community and the individuals involved. Our work directly benefited public lands by improving access, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing recreational opportunities. The impact extended far beyond the tangible projects. By empowering young women to connect with nature, develop new skills, and discover their inner strength, we were fostering the next generation of environmental stewards. Many of my crew members arrived with limited outdoor experience and a lack of confidence. Witnessing their transformation throughout the summer through seeing them embrace challenges, develop a passion for conservation, and realize their potential was truly inspiring.

This experience aligned well with my educational goals. I’m passionate about the intersection of good leadership and environmental education. My summer with RMYC provided invaluable hands-on experience to hone my leadership skills, adapt to unpredictable situations, and gain a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of working with young people in a wilderness setting.

The experience also reinforced the importance of mentorship and the power of creating supportive environments where individuals can thrive. The challenges were numerous – navigating interpersonal dynamics, adapting to unpredictable weather, and overcoming logistical hurdles in remote locations – but they were met with resourcefulness, resilience, and compassion. I’m so incredibly proud of my crew, my co-lead, and myself.

This summer in the Rockies wasn’t just a job; it was a life-changing experience that shaped my understanding of my own capabilities.