Environmental Stewardship: My Time at The Diocese of Niagara

Forests have always held a sense of wonder—towering trees, rustling leaves, and the intricate web of life within them. This deep connection with nature has guided my path in environmental conservation. That same connection to nature has shaped my journey in environmental conservation.

With a Master’s in Zoology from India and a strong background in wildlife monitoring, ecosystem restoration, and environmental education, I’ve worked on vulture conservation, wetland surveys, and reptile rescue. Moving to Canada allowed me to expand my expertise through a postgraduate certificate in Ecosystem Restoration and now, studies in Environmental Management and Assessment at Niagara College. My work has ranged from conducting environmental site assessments and GIS mapping to analyzing energy data for sustainable development.

My internship at the Diocese of Niagara with Climate Justice Niagara has been a great extension of my studies and work experience. Over the past six weeks, I contributed to two major initiatives: Communion Forest and Zero Emission Churches. I’ve seen how dedicated the Diocese is to environmental protection through projects like Communion Forest and Zero Emission Churches. These initiatives focus on restoring green spaces, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainability within faith communities. What stands out is how these initiatives also raise awareness, foster collaboration, and encourage long-term stewardship. Faith leaders play a key role in guiding their communities toward environmental responsibility, inspiring real action. It’s been eye-opening to see how faith and environmental care can come together for change.

The Communion Forest initiative really resonated with me because of my background in ecological restoration. Deirdre Pike, the diocesan justice and outreach program consultant, was instrumental in guiding me throughout the project, providing helpful resources and direction that allowed me to contribute more effectively. I reviewed the tree inventory survey responses from parishes and will be preparing the data for digitization to assess tree health. This experience really highlighted the importance of post-plantation care and the role of community engagement in ensuring the long-term success of such projects. One of the things I contributed was identifying gaps in the spatial tree mapping, which led me to reach out to parish representatives for additional details.

My work in the Zero Emission Churches initiative introduced me to energy efficiency improvements in religious institutions. A major highlight was collaborating with Sue Carson, who is leading this effort. With her knowledge and understanding, Sue helped me navigate energy data and efficiency measures. I will be analyzing energy data for some churches, gaining valuable knowledge in carbon footprints and emission reduction strategies. I will also assist in identifying parishes to promote energy-efficient heating solutions, such as Air Source Heat Pumps, to further reduce emissions.

Beyond the technical work, the people I met at the Diocese made my experience truly special. The welcoming nature of the staff group fostered an environment of learning and collaboration.

Climate change in India and Canada presents unique challenges. India faces heat waves, erratic monsoons, and air pollution, while Canada deals with fluctuating winters, severe storms, and energy issues. Canada struggles with road salt pollution and erosion harming ecosystems, while India grapples with deforestation, industrial pollution, and groundwater depletion impacting biodiversity and agriculture.

This internship has shown me that climate action transcends geographical boundaries—whether it’s restoring green spaces in Canada or advocating for conservation in India, the principles remain the same: community engagement, sustainable planning, and a commitment to preserving our planet.