'22 BS Environmental Science
Meet Emma Waatti, a 2022 BS Environmental Science from Imlay City, Michigan. Emma currently resides in Grand Haven, Michigan, where she works as the Stewardship Coordinator for Oceana Conservation District.
As the Stewardship Coordinator for Oceana Conservation District, I oversee nature preserve management, coordinate public stewardship events, and lead watershed research and community awareness initiatives. My role also includes advising landowners on invasive species management and directing critical reforestation efforts to restore habitats impacted by hemlock tree loss.
In my previous role as a Graduate Student at Central Michigan University, I was a Crew Lead Vegetation researcher for the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program, and I directed field surveying for diverse plant communities across Michigan. This involved traveling statewide to assess and document vegetation profiles and species across three distinct ecological zones within Great Lakes coastal wetlands. After my two years in this role, I graduated with my Master's in Biology, focusing on the anthropogenic disturbance of road salt applications on Great Lakes coastal wetland vegetation.
My biggest piece of advice for current students attending NMU is to get your boots dirty and take full advantage of NMU's incredible backyard. Don't just sit in the classroom - seek out field courses, join research, gain internships, and create a relationship with your advisor. What you do during your time in undergrad will benefit you greatly in your career. When you're not in the classroom, unplug, go enjoy the outdoors, go for a hike with friends, ride your bike, go to the beach. Find inspiration through the memories you make with your friends and community.
One of the greatest lessons I carry from my time at NMU is the importance of adaptability and resilience in the field. Whether conducting research, coordinating events, or managing a crew, the training I received taught me how to problem-solve in unpredictability. The hands-on, immersive learning at NMU gave me a foundation that I return to daily.
My time at NMU was greatly impacted by my academic advisor Dr. Matthew VanGrinsven. He introduced me to wetland ecology and facilitated a community partnership that allowed me to engage in hands-on research at Presque Isle Bog. Dr. VanGrinsven provided me with the intellectual courage and knowledge to pursue furthering my education in the field of wetlands.