Women in Landscape-Scale Conservation: Ashley Pipkin

Women's History Month

Conservation at landscape scales takes cooperation, patience, and people! In honor of Women's History Month in March, we want to highlight the work of influential women who dedicate their time and energy to protecting our cultural, recreational, and natural resources. 

How did you get started working in landscape-scale conservation?

I have always loved landscapes! My thesis work evaluated fires across the southern Appalachian landscape, and some of my favorite books are about landscapes and place. Looking at the whole picture and how everything is connected makes the world we live in so much more interesting. When I started working for the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division (NSNSD), it became apparent that outdoor artificial light, when used in excess, can be detrimental to nocturnal landscapes hundreds of miles away. The impacts from light pollution are obvious to those who look for them. The sky can look brighter along the horizon or there will be an obvious absence of starlight where light pollution intrudes into the nocturnal landscape. This visual indication of degradation made working with partners across the landscape to improve natural night skies a no brainer!
What does the term connected conservation mean to you?
Connected conversation means ignoring lines on the map and concerning yourself with resources that comprise an environment holistically. With increased local pressures from fires in the west or global pressures like climate change, knowing that we have resources to protect within the boundaries of a park can seem overwhelming. Knowing that the best way to protect many park resources is through partnership and collaboration can seem like an impossible task. In parks, we not only have the honor to care for resources for generations but an opportunity to lead by example. If we do it right, we can show our neighbors the benefits of conservation. Through connections we can help protect environments around the world. This can be easier said than done because sharing our accomplishments and creating partnerships can take so much time. When I first started working, I would try to do everything myself, but there are so many great resources to help NPS employees both within and outside the agency work with partners toward connected conservation.

Ashley Pipkin is a biologist with the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division of the National Park Service.

Tell us about a project that you have worked on that you are especially proud of.

I really do love working with the Basin and Range Dark Sky Cooperative (BRDSC). The BRDSC is a community of practice that works toward improving nocturnal landscapes under some of the last remaining natural night skies left in the lower 48. All the members feel inspired and rejuvenated by the blanket of stars over them and want to share this experience with others. Keeping a pristine night sky means the resource is protected, but it also means we get to share the resource with others so they can feel inspired, too. The team we have that supports this community of practice includes NSNSD and Utah State’s Institute of Outdoor Recreation. We also work very closely with the amazing Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative. Having a team that supports each other keeps the work fun!

If you could collaborate with anyone or any organization who would it be?

What a great question. This is exactly what connected conservation is all about. I often find myself dreaming about what the landscape could be, but it's important to also consider the partners that can help get you there! My division already collaborates with so many dream partners, including the Illuminating Engineering Society, the International Dark Sky Association, and many federal partners including the Department of Energy. Since I work for a Washington Support (WASO) office, I often find myself working with large organizations, but I want to really emphasize that working with your state, county, or city partners may be the best way to see changes at a local level. Park units are critical in these collaborations. It is hard to pick one dream partner. My dream is that NPS units across the country would partner with nearby community leaders to improve outdoor light.

Any advice for women wanting to get into the field?

You are awesome! It took me years to feel comfortable in my own skin, being my most authentic self. I felt like I had to be some made-up idealized version of an NPS employee. You are great, and you are smart, and the best way to seize that is by working hard, understanding yourself, and realizing that you are already the idealized version of an NPS employee! Find a mentor, friend, someone you can look up to and talk with. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and find the work that energizes you to be your best!

Women in Landscape Conservation