These in-their-own-words pieces are told to Patricia Lane and co-edited with input from the interviewee for the purpose of brevity.

Jacob Gerard helps communities protect the wild creatures they love. The 23-year-old wildlife biologist, storyteller and photographer from Ajax, Ontario, has created a beautiful web-based story map called Neighbours of the North, exploring Churchill, Man.’s relationship with polar bears and beluga whales. The resource is available to the northern community as it navigates its growing importance to the Canadian economy. Closer to home, Jacob equips schoolchildren in his region with tools to discover and connect with the wildlife in their local wetlands.

Tell us about your work.

After spending three summers as a research assistant in Churchill, I produced a resource reflecting the community’s passionate connection to polar bears, belugas and the environment that sustains them. I wanted to respect the balancing act required between protecting wildlife and recognizing the economic benefits they bring through tourism.

Churchill faces real pressures. Climate change, potential industrial development and over-tourism may pose serious risks to wildlife and sustainable ecotourism. The ice-free season is lengthening, forcing polar bears ashore earlier and keeping them there longer as freeze-up dates grow later each year. Human-polar bear interactions are increasing as bears spend more time on land than ever before.

Polar bears often wander into town — nearly silent, masters of disguise. Churchill maintains an active alert system and residents teach visitors that these animals, the world’s largest land carnivores, are worthy of deep respect.

Through relationships with researchers, scientists, tourism operators and community members, I was able to document local efforts to achieve balance. One example is that while polar bears are allowed to approach tundra buggies without being deterred, there is a strict rule that humans do not approach a polar bear closer than 100 metres. It is widely respected because the community supports it.

The story map has been shared locally with community members. I hope it can contribute to ongoing discussions in Churchill about expanding its port while protecting the wildlife that defines it.

How did you get into this project?

I originally applied for a co-op term in Churchill assisting a scientist studying a bird species. I fell in love — with the work, the environment and the people — and looked for every opportunity to return.

Later, I saw a National Geographic Instagram post inviting applications for an online internship in communicating marine and community conservation. I grew up reading National Geographic and never imagined they would want someone like me. I’m just an ordinary person. But I applied and was accepted into an externship co-sponsored by National Geographic, the Nature Conservancy and the Extern organization.

We learned from experts and shared our experiences. Our final project was to create a story map exploring the interface between conservation and a community we cared about. Churchill was an easy choice.

Tell us about your project helping kids relate to wetlands.

While working with Ocean Wise, we were asked to design and implement a program that would positively impact our home communities.

As a child, I was obsessed with being outdoors, but I didn’t have many ways to answer my endless questions. I wanted to create something that would have helped me and might now help other children explore wetlands with curiosity and confidence.

My Wetland Edu-Kits Ocean Wise Profile is now in 125 schools and all Ajax libraries. It includes binoculars, a magnifying glass and laminated, illustrated guides to the insects, birds and plants that children are likely to encounter in nearby wetlands.

I’m working with teachers and libraries to run outdoor sessions that get kids into wetlands to explore firsthand. If children develop familiarity with the life in their neighbourhood wild spaces, they’ll want to protect it. Conservation begins with connection.

What makes your work hard?

For conservation to succeed, it has to resonate with people. I might be fascinated by the life cycle of a rare bird species, but unless I can show others why it matters to them, they won’t invest time or energy in protecting it.

The people who live closest to these environments hold essential local knowledge. If conservation doesn’t reflect their values and priorities, it won’t work. Building that bridge between science and community is both crucial and challenging.

Making a living in this field is also difficult. Right now, I work at a camping store. But even that feels connected. I learn what draws people outdoors and what they value in their experiences. Those conversations help me think about how storytelling might inspire others to step outside and build their own relationships with nature.

There are so many people and organizations working toward these goals. That collective effort gives me hope. I believe we will succeed.

How did the way you were raised impact you?

I grew up very close to the Toronto Zoo and spent as much time there as I could. I fell in love with animals. As a kid, I dreamed of being a zoo bus tour guide, and one year, I actually got to do it. That experience showed me that dreams can come true if you’re patient and willing to work for them.

What would you say to other young people?

It’s tough out there right now. Don’t take setbacks personally and don’t despair. If you work hard and stay patient, good things will come.

And to older readers?

You are inspiring when you remain lifelong learners.

© National Observer