Alumni Environmental Stewardship Profile: Laura Duffy ’05 Marine Ecologist and Wildlife Biologist

Laura is a Marine Ecologist and Wildlife Biologist at AECOM, as well as a National Environmental Resources Act (NEPA) Specialist at Saltwater, Inc. She has an M.Sc. in Marine Biology from San Francisco State University and a B.S. in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from the College of Charleston.

Your work in your own words…
Anytime a project gets public funding, it has to abide by certain environmental laws (think, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, etc.). My work for both AECOM and Saltwater involves advising clients on the laws that apply to their work, coordinating with local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, as well as doing some of the applied science to gather necessary data for regulatory compliance. At Saltwater, Inc., I’m working directly with federal clients as a policy advisor for sustainable offshore program development in U.S. marine waters. In AECOM’s Natural Resources Department, I work with engineers during the design phase of large infrastructure projects such as bridges, power lines, or highways to minimize potential environmental impacts, advise on new sustainable ideas, and survey ahead of or alongside construction crews for sensitive habitat, protected resources, and other environmental monitoring.

I love being at the crossroads between science and policy, and I love being a liaison between conservation and development. Living and working in an urban area (including urbanized waters), it is important to understand how the natural ecosystems interact with business and industry ecosystems. The job brings a lot of variety with it – subject matter and people! I get to work directly with other scientists, economists, fishermen, construction workers, urban planners… Of course, the most exciting part is being out in the wild and getting to interact with the animals. Some days I’m on a boat monitoring marine mammal activity near a busy port, diving to monitor underwater restoration projects, hiking through cattle-grazing lands looking for evidence of endangered species of salamander, bats, and eagle nests. On the not-so-glamorous days I am literally the person stepping in front of a bulldozer to save a frog from getting squished, making sure diesel doesn’t leak into a stream, or surveying the destruction after a natural disaster. There are plenty of days spent in front of a computer, too, but we can all imagine what that is like…

How did your passion for environmental stewardship develop?
From a very young age I spent as much time outside as possible. I knew that no matter what I did for work, I wanted it to be outside and with a physical element to it. I definitely attribute my love of outdoor adventures to my dad. We spent endless hours wandering along streams, beaches, in forests and oceans – sometimes collecting interesting items, but also finding satisfaction in just observing the world and animal behavior. I attribute my discipline for stewardship to my mom (late Fourth Grade Teacher Margaret McKee). She was ahead of her time in her attention to non-plastic products, eating locally and seasonally, and always had a great respect for all people, animals, and cultures.

What are some specific ways that current students can prepare for careers/lives that foster environmental stewardship and sustainable practices?

(1) Get out there and start volunteering early, and in many different types of activities. It’s not only a resume booster, but stewardship and sustainable practices come, in part, from experiences outside “your bubble” and viewing others’ perspectives. (2) I can hear my mom’s voice saying, “READ!” Read about current events, listen to podcasts. There are many people sharing creative ideas on how to improve our planet, and the fun thing is, not all of it is innovative – some of the best sustainable practices have been in play for thousands of years, but now our access to information has never been easier. You never know where your next inspiration, research idea, or new research partner may arise. (3) Lead by example. Some people don’t want a lecture on recycling or why spiders are awesome (believe me, I’ve found this out by experience). However, there have been some really cool moments when people who see me picking up trash while walking my dog join in to help; when a friend’s kid sees me move a spider instead of killing it and all of a sudden wants to take a closer look and ask questions about it; when a client slows down to review information in more detail because I’ve gotten excited about it.

What are important issues related to environmental stewardship facing our country and world?
Renewable energy and food security are the top two issues that I am involved with these days. In the U.S. and other countries, we’re moving from oil to wind, solar, and other energy sources. We’re moving from overfishing to exploring aquaculture, from massive meat to more grain and plant-based diets. The reality is, though, that the newer industries have their environmental impacts, too. The good thing, now, is that new industries have to keep stewardship (e.g, attention to environmental and community impacts) and sustainability (e.g, attention to production scales) in mind, whereas in the past they were more focused on exploration and exploitation. Impact analyses happen not only because they are required by law, but also because of the strong attention and support from the public to do so. It is important that individuals demand responsibility from their governments to oversee sustainable development. Individuals can also demand responsibility from the companies driving these industries by voting with their dollars. Social media is a simple, but super effective way for individuals to get the message out there, gain support, and to explore others’ messaging around these topics.

Reflecting on MFS…
MFS provided a great education based on science, and solid ground to develop confidence and enthusiasm for what and who I wanted to be. MFS’s attention to diversity and peer mediation set the stage in my mind to be curious and respectful of others’ ideas. Relating to others, whether or not we agree on a subject, has helped me to extract information at times and has helped immensely when things get tense. MFS’s range of electives and extracurricular activities set the stage for teamwork and to explore my range of abilities through life. Last, a quote I heard recently goes, ‘movement is exercise for the body; stillness is exercise for the mind.’ Learning the value of meditation, mindfulness, and situational awareness during Meeting for Worship has definitely been one of the most important life skills I have taken with me by far.

Community at MFS was really influential. The students, teachers, coaches came from all walks of life. We lived in many different towns and cities across South Jersey. Coming together at school wasn’t always all “kumbaya;” but if nothing else, we were all forced to come together during a school day, experience that day and school system together – we all recognized one another as participants, serving a role. And we all, for the most part, did it with respect. Respect was taught with intention. We can, of course, extrapolate that out to a workplace, our country, international travel, and to all ecosystems on our planet.