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Environmental scientist grew up with nature in her backyard
Jessica MacSween of the Cape Breton Environmental Association helps two youth during an outdoor workshop in 2020. Photo by Contributed
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Jessica MacSween’s time growing up in Marion Bridge helped foster her passion for the environment and what would eventually lead to a career in the field.
“When you live in the country and grow up in the country, you’re kind of privy to more nature,” said MacSween, 39. “You grow up with a forest in your background, a brook next to you, a river across the street. It lends you to being outside more and to get in touch with nature.
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“Learning about different animals and plants in my environment and realizing that you can make a career out of this. That’s where it started, really.”
Outside of her job as an environmental scientist with Nova Scotia Power, she’s also lent a hand as a member of the Cape Breton Environmental Association for the past five years, a community group founded in 2017.
Recently, she was named president of the association. She replaces Dylan Yates, who served as president for the past eight years.
“I was just interested to give back more, volunteer my time,” said MacSween.
“I’ve seen a lot of illegal dump sites, so I was interested in cleaning them up. I had a friend who did work for this organization, so I was interested and became a member.”
Jessica MacSween of Marion Bridge has been named the new president of the Cape Breton Environmental Association. Photo by ContributedENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
MacSween has a bachelor of science at both Cape Breton University and Dalhousie University in Halifax. She holds a holds a master of science degree in environmental science from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She studied ecosystem ecology, focusing on boreal forest and stream health.
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She’s worked for the Cape Breton Highlands National Park on water quality and fish health projects. MacSween has also worked for CBU researching treatment technologies and contamination from abandoned and underground coal mines of the Sydney coalfield.
In her new role with the association, MacSween said it’s important to continue to do cleanups of illegal dumping sites, but they plan to also focus on beach cleanups and do more to educate the public about the environment.
“I think that it’s good to give back and I think it’s important to try to influence young people when it comes to the environment,” she said. “They might not be getting it at home, or at school or through media, so we want to have that involvement with youth in our communities to get them interested in the environment.
“Start asking questions about why this is happening, start caring because they’re more likely to grow up and not litter, they’re more likely to question things and try to learn about their environment.
“That’s a big part I’m proud of and I hope to continue doing that.”
UPCOMING CLEANUP
The association currently has around seven members, and MacSween said they’re looking for more to join. They also rely on additional volunteers for cleanups.
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They depend on fundraising and donations to help fund their activities and programs.
“A week or two in advance, we’ll advertise where we’re going to do a cleanup,” she said. “We supply everything for people who want to come volunteer — bags, gloves, reflective vests, we have water on site, First Aid kit. We’ll take care of you; we just need you to help us pick up garbage.”
An upcoming cleanup is planned for April 19.
MacSween said they’ll post the details on their Facebook page about what time and where it will be located. The group can be found on Facebook by searching for Cape Breton Environmental Association.
BIO
JESSICA MACSWEEN
• Age: 39
• Hometown: Marion Bridge
• New president of the Cape Breton Environmental Association
• Works as an environmental scientist with Nova Scotia Power
• Received master of science degree in environmental science from Memorial University
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