Aimee Weldon: Building a Better Coast
Nature has always been a part of Aimee Weldon’s life. Growing up on a farm in Minnesota, she spent much of her childhood exploring the woods, meadows and ponds near her home, often on horseback.
Though she originally intended to follow a pre-med track through college, in her final year she decided that ecology was what resonated with her most. Weldon was most excited by the challenges of conservation work and the opportunity to improve the natural world around her.
This interest carried her to a career in conservation. Early on, Weldon directed the restoration and protection efforts of the Potomac Conservancy, a land trust that serves the Potomac River watershed. She also worked with Defenders of Wildlife in Washington, D.C., and the National Audubon Society in Virginia. In 2016, she joined the Service as the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture (ACJV) Coordinator stationed in Hadley, Massachusetts.
The ACJV is a collaborative partnership that conserves and restores native bird habitat along the Atlantic Flyway. It is currently focused on protecting coastal marshes and the diversity of birds that depend on them. Two birds in particular, the saltmarsh sparrow and black rail are experiencing steep population declines and were chosen as ACJV flagship species. A focus on restoring habitat for these species will improve the health of the entire marsh ecosystem and have far reaching benefits for wildlife, habitat and human communities.
Natural marsh habitat provides significantly more protection from storm surges and hurricanes than developed shoreline. As sea-level rise continues to threaten coastal communities, these thriving ecosystems provide a living barrier. They also support a large percentage of commercially valuable fish and shellfish. By conserving these habitats, the ACJV hopes to protect not only species but also people’s homes and livelihoods. It is undeniably challenging work.
“Everyone is learning as they go, while racing against the clock,” Weldon said. “The impact of sea-level rise on these birds and their habitats is accelerating, and we’re working hard to develop timely answers to very complex challenges.”
Despite the challenges, Weldon finds coastal habitat restoration work uniquely rewarding. To be successful, it requires innovation, creative thinking, risk taking and a lot of committed partners. As the ACJV Coordinator, Weldon spends most of her time working directly with these partners across the state, federal, non-governmental, and academic spectrum.
“It is energizing to work with such top-notch partners who share a deep commitment to conservation,” Weldon said. “It is one of the things I love most about my job.”
When she’s not working, Weldon enjoys sharing her passion for the natural world with her two daughters, ages 6 and 10. They are both budding naturalists who love spending time exploring nature and identifying the plants and animals they find. She and her husband have also dedicated much of their free time to creating wildlife habitat in their own backyard. They’ve built a pond, created a pollinator meadow, cleared invasive species, and erected bird and bee boxes throughout the property.
Creating things is a passion of Weldon’s that extends beyond restoration to include making interesting foods, creating art and undertaking home improvement projects. Perhaps this is what draws her to the work of the ACJV. The challenges of collaborative conservation work require creativity, perseverance and the constant building toward a larger, better vision of the world. She is excited to continue working with partners to build that future of resilience for coastal wildlife and communities.
This story was written by Sydney Giuliano.
