In recognition of her incredible efforts to increase diversity and internationalism in the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS), BSC Senior Ecologist Gillian Davies, PWS, RSS, NHCWS, CESSWI was presented with the prestigious SWS Merit Award at the SWS 2024 Annual Meeting, held in Taipei, Taiwan and co-hosted by the SWS Asia Chapter and the Taiwan Wetland Society.
The award recognizes and honors specific accomplishments in the field of wetland science and management that inspire future efforts in the field.
Gillian is a globally recognized wetland scientist practitioner who co-founded and co-leads the SWS Climate Change & Wetlands Initiative and the Rights of Wetlands Section, keeping abreast of the latest climate and wetlands research and Rights of Wetlands/Nature developments; co-authoring journal articles; and participating in international symposia. She has also bridged gaps between wetland scientists and other communities, including Indigenous Peoples - notably with the Kichwa Indigenous People of the Sarayaku Amazon region in Ecuador, as part of the Rights of Wetlands process. This exchange also led to an unprecedented joint declaration by the Sarayaku people and SWS wetland scientists, launched at Climate Week in New York in 2023. In this joint declaration, the Sarayaku Kichwa People present the Living Forest (Kawsak Sacha) Proposal, which is based on ancestral knowledges, acknowledges the Forest and Nature, as (a) conscious living being(s) and bearer(s) of rights. The scientists express support for the recognition of the validity of Sarayaku Kichwa ancestral knowledges and their world view; recognition of the rights of wetlands, the Living Forest, and Nature; and present references to scientific literature that document intelligent behaviors in Nature.
While serving as SWS President (2016 – 2017), Gillian promoted the organization's international links in a number of ways, including building connections and formal links, which continue today, with the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and developing specific initiatives to address climate change and promote wetlands' rights as a pathway to transformative change.
In addition to receiving the Merit Award at the SWS Annual Meeting, Gillian presented on “The global call for transformative change: A Rights of Wetlands response”, as part of the Rights of Wetlands and Ramsar Sections’ Symposium and attended the SWS past presidents’ breakfast where past and present presidents received “Ambassador of the City” awards from the Mayor of Taipei, who met with and addressed the breakfast attendees.
Gillian has 33 years of experience as a practicing wetland scientist in Massachusetts; this year marks 21 years with BSC! She has managed and contributed to numerous Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness projects that integrate conservation and protection of wetland carbon and resilience into broader Nature-based Solutions and community education. She has also developed and promoted innovative ideas for protection of wetland carbon for MassDEP, for Massachusetts municipalities, and for other BSC clients, including translocation of wetland impact area soils and vegetation to conserve soil carbon and soil structure; co-development of climate-smart local wetland bylaw and regulations website tool; and support for modification of wetland delineation methodology during dry periods and drought.
BSC is incredibly proud that SWS has recognized Gillian's impressive accomplishments; we know she will continue to promote international connections within the wetland community and provide an inspiring example for others.
Congratulations, Gillian!
Link to Gillian’s Ecuador trip highlights: https://cobracollective.org/news/rights-of-wetlands-at-the-more-than-human-life-moth-gathering-in-sarayaku-ecuador.php