IIC Graduate Spotlight: Christina Sabochick '22

The Institute for Integrative Conservation (IIC) are excited to?support these graduates?as they take the next steps in their academic and professional careers. Today we celebrate graduating senior Christina Sabochick. As part of the IIC Conservation Research Program, Christina Sabochick conducted a geospatial analysis exploring the relationship between lands and waters stewarded by indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and the places that are highest performing for ecosystem goods and services provision. The results of this analysis will help inform Conservation International’s efforts to support IPLCs in the sustainable management of globally important ecosystems for sovereignty, biodiversity, and ecosystem goods and services. During the spring of 2022, Christina worked as a fellow for the William & Mary Center for Geospatial Analysis. She supported the geospatial needs of the university’s faculty, staff, and students, co-mentored GIS research students, and collaborated with partners on GIS projects.An interview with Christina reveals how?IIC?research?and engagement has?heightened her?W&M experiences.

Interview with Christina Sabochick

"I couldn’t be more thankful for the personal and professional development I’ve gained through research with the IIC."

Why are you interested in conservation??I have always loved being outdoors and learning about the world around me. My lifelong passion for the environment has led to an interest in advocating for nature and finding sustainable solutions for protecting it. I am constantly inspired by the conservation community and hope to contribute to the innovative work already being done to protect our planet.?

Why do you think it is important that we take an integrative approach to conservation??An integrative approach to conservation is crucial because these efforts affect a wide range of disciplines and people. Effective conservation cannot solely focus on ecological solutions and must also consider the people who are directly affected by environmental issues, the people who will implement solutions, economic concerns, cultural concerns, and beyond. Ultimately, the most sustainable and effective conservation approaches will be those that consider diverse voices with different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.?

In what ways does your work, research, or major contribute to advancing integrative approaches to conservation??My work with external partners has led to the creation of StoryMaps that highlight the work being done by conservation organizations in a public-facing manner that is intended to inform the public about conservation efforts and inspire people to get involved and take action. Additionally, the findings of my research in the year-long program elevate the role of indigenous peoples in stewarding important ecosystems. The publication resulting from this work may have real-world policy impacts.?

What can the conservation field (broadly defined) learn from your discipline, sector, or major??As a biology and environmental science major, I have learned about the ecological processes and mechanisms behind some of the most pressing conservation issues. From my discipline, the conservation field can learn about how to implement sustainable solutions that incorporate important biological and environmental knowledge while also integrating the range of voices involved in and impacted by environmental science and policy.?

How do you consider conservation in your work, research, or studies??I am naturally biased towards considering the biological and environmental side of conservation due to my educational background, but my work with external partners through the IIC and W&M CGA has expanded my perspective. I now actively try to consider all the components of conservation, which includes the environment but also takes into account people, policy, economics, and other important stakeholders and disciplines. I always attempt to address all sides of a conservation issue, often by working with people who have different perspectives or specialties.?

How did your involvement with the IIC enhance your W&M experience??My involvement with the IIC was the most incredible lab experience I could have asked for. I knew that I wanted to be involved in a lab at W&M, but also knew that I was interested in a wide variety of topics and projects and was not sure which specific lab would be the best fit for me. The interdisciplinary nature of the IIC ended up being a great fit, allowing me to work on a variety of projects, build the GIS skills I was interested in, and be a part of a community that was also interested in integrative conservation solutions.?

What advice do you have for W&M students interested in taking an integrative approach to conservation??Get involved with the IIC and learn from W&M's ENSP and Conservation programs! This university has a great focus on conservation that you can be a part of in your courses, in your research, or in your connections. Simply talking to professors and other students that are doing work you are interested in can be an excellent start.

Learn more?about how the IIC is bringing together W&M students from diverse departments and schools to conduct applied conservation research projects with IIC conservation partners.