Andrea Kolbe, BSc, MES
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Andrea lives in Ottawa, ON, Ottawa River watershed, unceded Algonquin Anishnaabeg Territory
Community-based monitoring - climate change - water Andrea is a Project Manager at CIER, providing support for projects focused on Indigenous community-based climate monitoring, climate change adaptation, and solid waste management. Over the last 3 years, Andrea has had an opportunity to work closely with Indigenous communities and organizations, as well as varying levels of government in both British Columbia and Ontario. |
Andrea has been involved in supporting Indigenous land/resource governance, the establishment of local, informed decision-making processes, government-government engagement, and the implementation/communication of improved environmental policy on the central coast of British Columbia. Through her graduate research, Andrea focused on youth-driven citizen science and water quality monitoring efforts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She is passionate about community-driven resource governance that fosters capacity development, social learning, and systemic change. Andrea has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph and a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from Queen’s University.
More about Andrea...
Why does your work matter?
That’s a big question! I really enjoy working with different communities and find that my personal values often align closely with the priorities and approaches that are valued and implemented by the communities I get to work with. Being able to play an active role in supporting and advocating for those approaches within the broader environmental movement feels really meaningful.
Specifically, I think that community-based monitoring (CBM) matters because it allows communities and individuals to monitor and track environmental changes at various scales (local, regional, national) and supports a more systemic understanding of how and why things may be changing. I’ve also found that CBM fosters meaningful collaboration and plays an important role in supporting informed decision-making. Ultimately, all of this affords greater control over how the lands and waters are governed and protected and that feels pretty important.
What is one of your biggest learning in your career thus far?
There are so many important things I’ve learned (and still reflect on), but one thing I’ve come to understand is the importance of listening in a meaningful way and leaving space for further learning to occur. Each community is unique and I’m understanding more and more that it’s not about transferring my previous lessons or experiences to the current project context, but rather understanding what’s important to the communities I am working with and understanding how best I can support their priorities in a meaningful way.
How did you come to work at CIER?
Following my work with Nuxalk Nation, I learned about CIER and the work that CIER does, which aligned nicely with the direction I wanted to move in. Through connecting with contacts at CIER, I was able to support a few of CIER’s projects through contract-based work and later as a project manager. My work with CIER largely came about as a result of wanting to know more and reaching out.
Do you have a role-model/teacher/mentor?
Dr. Mark Dent, who provided significant guidance during my graduate fieldwork in South Africa, has been really instrumental in the approach I take with my work. He taught me a lot about social learning and the importance of systemic environmental change, which I try to apply to my current work.
I also draw endless inspiration from the communities (and schools) that I have had the pleasure of working with, both in South Africa (Mpophomeni, Injoloba, Imbali) and Canada (Nuxalk Nation). I’ve taken away many valuable teachings that relate to many of the projects I currently support.
Where do you feel most at home?
My roots are in South Africa, so that will always be home. I also feel very at-home anywhere near the water – ocean, lakes, rivers…
What are you doing when you’re not at your desk?
Trying to get outdoors as much as possible! I love hiking. I also enjoy cooking and have recently been getting back into playing squash.
That’s a big question! I really enjoy working with different communities and find that my personal values often align closely with the priorities and approaches that are valued and implemented by the communities I get to work with. Being able to play an active role in supporting and advocating for those approaches within the broader environmental movement feels really meaningful.
Specifically, I think that community-based monitoring (CBM) matters because it allows communities and individuals to monitor and track environmental changes at various scales (local, regional, national) and supports a more systemic understanding of how and why things may be changing. I’ve also found that CBM fosters meaningful collaboration and plays an important role in supporting informed decision-making. Ultimately, all of this affords greater control over how the lands and waters are governed and protected and that feels pretty important.
What is one of your biggest learning in your career thus far?
There are so many important things I’ve learned (and still reflect on), but one thing I’ve come to understand is the importance of listening in a meaningful way and leaving space for further learning to occur. Each community is unique and I’m understanding more and more that it’s not about transferring my previous lessons or experiences to the current project context, but rather understanding what’s important to the communities I am working with and understanding how best I can support their priorities in a meaningful way.
How did you come to work at CIER?
Following my work with Nuxalk Nation, I learned about CIER and the work that CIER does, which aligned nicely with the direction I wanted to move in. Through connecting with contacts at CIER, I was able to support a few of CIER’s projects through contract-based work and later as a project manager. My work with CIER largely came about as a result of wanting to know more and reaching out.
Do you have a role-model/teacher/mentor?
Dr. Mark Dent, who provided significant guidance during my graduate fieldwork in South Africa, has been really instrumental in the approach I take with my work. He taught me a lot about social learning and the importance of systemic environmental change, which I try to apply to my current work.
I also draw endless inspiration from the communities (and schools) that I have had the pleasure of working with, both in South Africa (Mpophomeni, Injoloba, Imbali) and Canada (Nuxalk Nation). I’ve taken away many valuable teachings that relate to many of the projects I currently support.
Where do you feel most at home?
My roots are in South Africa, so that will always be home. I also feel very at-home anywhere near the water – ocean, lakes, rivers…
What are you doing when you’re not at your desk?
Trying to get outdoors as much as possible! I love hiking. I also enjoy cooking and have recently been getting back into playing squash.