Conservation work often places individuals face-to-face with both nature’s beauty and its fury. In the aftermath of disasters like Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, raging forest fires, or the ongoing bleaching of coral reefs, the pain and loss can feel overwhelming. Conservationists are left to pick up the pieces—both physically and emotionally.
For leaders in this field, the challenge extends beyond their own grief. They are tasked with supporting two groups: those experiencing the immediate trauma of working in affected areas and those dealing with the vicarious trauma that comes from hearing stories, watching the devastation unfold online, or helping with relief efforts from a distance. This dual responsibility requires practical leadership and a deep well of courage and compassion.
Today, let’s explore how leaders can find the strength to move forward, and how small, purposeful actions can foster resilience and hope even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Acknowledging Eco-emotions Without Letting Them Define Us
As we navigate these tough times, it is important to recognize that eco-emotions (such as ecogrief and ecoanxiety) are normal and valid responses. Ecogrief is a term used to describe the deep sorrow we feel over the loss of ecosystems and the degradation of nature. Ecoanxiety is a term used to describe worry about the future of our planet based on the major ecological events occurring today. For those directly witnessing the devastation—like field conservationists walking through fire-ravaged forests or diving among bleached coral—these emotions can arise as a visceral experience. For others, these emotions may manifest through stories heard from colleagues or distressing images seen online.
In my earlier blog, “Why Counselors and Conservationists Cannot Ignore Ecogrief,” I explored the importance of acknowledging grief (and other emotions). When we ignore our deepest emotions, we risk becoming overwhelmed, disconnected, or even burning out. However, while eco-emotions are a real part of our experience and must be acknowledged, they don’t have to be the focus. Today, let’s shift our perspective towards resilience and the quiet courage that keeps us moving forward, even in the darkest of times.
Finding Courage in the Face of Direct and Vicarious Trauma
Courage comes in many forms, especially in the conservation field. For those experiencing direct traumatic events, courage might look like returning to a familiar landscape transformed by a hurricane, seeing the aftermath of the storm’s fury, and still finding the strength to carry out restoration efforts. It’s about witnessing damage and loss but remaining committed to recovery. It’s about not giving up, even when it feels like nature is relentlessly pushing back.
For those facing vicarious trauma, courage is equally present. It’s in the stories shared with colleagues, in the empathy that comes from listening deeply to others’ experiences. It’s in the willingness to engage with the emotional weight of a crisis, even when you are not physically there. It’s the choice to remain engaged, to offer support and solidarity to those on the front lines, despite the emotional toll that this empathy can carry.
Every act of showing up, every moment of listening, and every effort to stay hopeful amidst despair is an act of courage. These small acts may seem insignificant in the face of vast environmental challenges, but they matter immensely.
When I have felt vicarious trauma while drafting multiple articles about ecogrief, I have found the best thing I can do for myself is to spend time with nature. When I can re-ground myself in nature’s beauty (my favorite spots are a nearby prairie and a local stream), those heavy emotions find a way of moving out of my system so I can come back to work ready to face it with more courage.
Small Steps to Move Forward: Actions That Build Resilience
While the challenges can feel overwhelming, there is power in taking small, consistent steps. Leaders play a pivotal role in helping their teams move forward through these actions, creating a culture of resilience even in times of crisis. Here are a few ways leaders can encourage both themselves and their teams to take those small steps:
- Promote Peer Support and Debriefs: In times of crisis, the simple act of listening can make a profound difference. Leaders can create spaces for team members to connect, share their experiences and debrief, what went well and what else is needed. This could be a regular check-in meeting or an online space where people can post their thoughts and feelings. Encouraging this kind of peer support fosters a sense of community and reminds each person that they are not alone in their struggles.
- Celebrate Small Wins: I cannot emphasize this enough. When the work ahead feels daunting, celebrating even the smallest successes can help maintain morale. Whether it’s acknowledging the successful clean-up of a small area, a promising sign of recovery in a fire-affected forest or noticing how support shows up in teams and community, these wins matter. Leaders can help their teams focus on these moments, shifting the narrative from one of loss to one of progress.
- Practice Gratitude: Gratitude has a way of bringing light into dark spaces. Encourage your team to take moments of gratitude, appreciating the parts of nature that endure, the resilience of the ecosystems they work to protect, and the support they find in each other. Integrating a gratitude practice, such as sharing one thing you’re grateful for at the beginning of meetings, can shift focus from what’s been lost to what remains and what can be rebuilt. You can also ask people to share a gift they received from a meeting at the end of each meeting – something I’ve learned from the Center for Purposeful Leadership.
- Time with Nature: Encourage people in your organization to take intentional time with nature, being present to its beauty and leaving the work temporarily behind. Being with nature and noticing the sounds, smells, textures, sights and even tastes can remind us that even the smallest of lives (and even the non-living) matter in the ecosystem.
Seeking and Offering Support: The Strength in Reaching Out
Courage does not mean facing everything alone. One of the bravest things a leader can do is recognize when they or their team members need support. This support can take many forms—from professional counseling to informal support networks among peers.
In “Why Counselors and Conservationists Cannot Ignore Ecogrief,” I explored the importance of knowing when to seek outside help. Professional support can be a vital resource, especially for those who find themselves stuck in a cycle of grief, hopelessness, or burnout. Leaders should model this behavior by being open about their own struggles and showing that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Additionally, leaders can proactively offer support to their teams by sharing resources, bringing in experts for workshops, or simply being available for one-on-one conversations. This willingness to both seek and offer help creates a culture of care and resilience within the organization.
Building a Culture of Hope and Resilience
Creating a culture that embraces resilience and hope doesn’t happen overnight, but it begins with small, consistent actions. By focusing on what can be done—no matter how small—leaders can inspire their teams to shift from a mindset of loss to one of possibility and action.
I recently conducted a workshop on resilience with a two-page worksheet that helped people acknowledge their feelings, understand their “why,” connections to broader conservation work, and tools for supporting each other. I encouraged participants to use the worksheet as a guide and check in with it periodically, both individually and to support and encourage each other as a team. It’s a first step in developing a culture of courage and care.
A Call to Action: Courageously Moving Forward Together
To every leader in the conservation field, I encourage you to recognize the courage that already exists within your teams. Be proud of the resilience that your team members show each day, whether they are restoring coral reefs, guiding communities through disaster recovery, or simply lending a listening ear to a colleague in need.
But also remember that courage isn’t about pushing through—it’s about knowing when to pause, when to ask for help, and when to acknowledge that things are hard. Embrace this understanding and create a space where your team feels safe to do the same.
Every small action counts. Every effort to restore, rebuild, or simply show up matters. Together, by supporting one another and focusing on the steps we can take, we can find a way through the challenges and help nature—and each other—thrive.
Conclusion: Hopeful Leadership in the Conservation Community
While the challenges we face in conservation are real and often heavy, so too is the strength of this community. Let’s choose to focus on what is within our power to change, to find courage in our connections, and to move forward—together – to thrive. As leaders, you have the power to inspire hope and resilience, guiding your teams through the toughest of times with a sense of purpose and determination.
The journey is not easy, but with courage, care, and community, it is one that we can walk together.
Reach out if you need help facilitating spaces for your team. I have several workshops available as well as the ability to hold space. I’m also happy to send an article on trauma written for The Wildlife Society on trauma.
Written by Michelle Doerr with the help of AI.