We are continuing our commemoration of Women's History Month by recognizing the extraordinary women of Conservation X Labs who work to disrupt the field of conservation every day. Today, we highlight the inspiring work of Rachel Martin, Extinction Solutions Index (ESI) and Research Manager.

The ESI is our framework for solving the extinction crisis, functioning as a program to evaluate, compare, and rank the most effective and efficient solutions to the biodiversity crisis. Having transitioned from its design stage, the program is now seeking partners and researchers to conduct further work. If you're interested in joining this initiative, please feel free to email the team at esi@conservationxlabs.org

Learn more about Rachel’s experiences, reflections, and motivations with us:

What inspired you to pursue a career in conservation?

Growing up and going to school in Appalachia, I was always deeply connected to the natural world - I would join my dad for walks in the woods and help my mom in her garden so just experiencing nature was my first inspiration. I really started to understand that there could be a career in conservation when I did a project in High School highlighting environmental degradation from mining and studied the destruction firsthand to our environment and people in rural communities. When I went to college, I pursued a degree in Environmental Studies to really understand the multiple dynamics of environmentalism and pathways for a career in conservation.

Was there a woman that inspired you to pursue a career in conservation, and how did they influence you?

I think the first woman that inspired me to pursue a career in conservation was Rachel Carson (not just because of the name). Reading her work, especially Silent Spring, and hearing her story as a scientist, I was able to see myself in that. I could see how she observed the world around her to draw conclusions, even before she knew the “why” behind it, and the courage she had to write about what she was seeing. That inspired me to use science to explain what I saw in the world and hopefully illuminate some truths as well.

What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career in conservation?

I would say to honor yourself, your authenticity, and your unique skills in whatever you want your story to be. Do things that are interesting and inspiring to you and find out what you like best about those experiences to uniquely use them to build your career. Thinking of the backlash Rachel Carson experienced as a woman scientist – being radical, unscientific, hysterical – I say that’s being innovative, well-researched, and passionate. You can be every piece of yourself, and be a scientist, a conservationist, a storyteller, an engineer - and you’ll be a better one for it.