Profile: Jocelyne Rankin

Jocelyne¡¯s research examined the threat of climate change on freshwater resources in New Zealand. She carried out a case study of the Waimea Estuary coastal ecosystem on South Island, the largest enclosed estuary in the region.Jocelyne was a visiting researcher on sabbatical from the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax during her partnership with Landcare Research in Nelson. Her work was planned in consultation with the Nelson City Council. 

The development of Landcare Trusts, non-governmental organizations that work on local and international initiatives to improve land and water management practices, has been an important initiative in New Zealand. The community around the Waimea Estuary had already begun to take action to protect the region and their vision was explained in a management strategy. ¡°This process and the existing level of community engagement have provided a great foundation for further work in the estuary and tributary streams,¡± reports Jocelyne. Her project focused on the problems with surface water in an urban catchment and its effect on the coastal environment. She concentrated on Orphanage Stream, one of the 22 rivers and streams that feed into the estuary. Interviews and community forums with key experts, residents, and stakeholders informed Jocelyne¡¯s recommendations to the Nelson City Council.

Following her research, Jocelyne returned to the Ecology Action Centre to continue her work as Water Coordinator. She has had opportunities to share the Waimea Estuary experience and the results of her research in Nova Scotia, where the impacts of climate change also present significant challenges for coastal communities.

Links:
Ranking Midterm Report (pdf)
Rankin Water Quality & Climate Change (pdf) (Report to Nelson City Council 2011)
Rankin Final Report (pdf) February 2013