Jennifer George, New Zealand

Biography 

Jennifer George’s curiosity with emerging technology led her to an unlikely source of inspiration—the bar-tailed godwit, a small migratory bird that flies 30,000 km nonstop across oceans. That journey sparked her deep commitment to conservation, guiding her to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership, where she now serves as Chief Executive.

Bringing together 18 countries and 21 non-government partners, Jennifer works to strengthen the connections between wetlands, the birds that rely on them, and the people whose livelihoods are intertwined with these habitats. Through initiatives like the Flyway University Alliance, she fosters cross-cultural collaboration, mentoring the next generation of conservationists who will carry this mission forward.

Inspired by her mother’s belief that even the smallest actions can make a difference, Jennifer navigates complex political landscapes with authenticity and persistence. Her vision is clear: a future where a seamless chain of protected wetlands allows both migratory birds and human communities to thrive in harmony with nature.

Q. What personal experience has shaped or inspired your journey?

My interest in emerging technologies took me on the journey of a small migratory waterbird with a huge story. This is the story of the bar-tailed godwit who travels 30,000 kilometres each year from a small community in my own country of New Zealand to the northern slopes of Alaska to breed and then returns to precisely the same site they left. I discovered everyone could follow these avian athletes online, each day due to satellite trackers attached to their small bodies as they flew across the Pacific Ocean for 11 days non-stop – back home.

Being able to follow them was due to a small group of volunteers. I developed the utmost respect for how they were using technologies and presenting the data they gathered in an engaging and inspiring way. This drew me to join their mission and so I became a member of Pukorokoro Miranda to be part of their story. 

I volunteered and took a bird identification course. When a role came up to develop good practice guidelines for the whole Flyway (not just the migration of the bar-tailed godwit) I was able to use all my diverse professional experience. Subsequently, I took up the role of Chief Executive of the Partnership.

So, my journey has been shaped by a very small community in a small country. In my role I now appreciate there are many other community initiatives taking place across East Asia through to the Russian Federation and Alaska each with their own inspiring story. On a daily basis, I lead the Secretariat to enable greater connection between the wetland habitats our birds rely on for their journeys, and between those countries who are our Partners in the conservation of migratory waterbirds, their habitats and the people whose livelihoods depend on those habitats.
 

Q. Who is the influential figure who has inspired your actions, and what specifically about them has been motivating?

Three women have deeply inspired me throughout my life. The first was my mother. When I reflect on her life, I am struck by how she faced each challenge with determination and resilience. She found ways to enrich our lives, often through small entrepreneurial ventures that made a meaningful difference to our family. She never gave up, always exploring new possibilities and embracing fresh challenges. She also instilled in me a deep respect for the natural world, showing me the importance of valuing and nurturing the earth. She showed me that people can do small things that are so important to the bigger vision. I remember how she would stop her car on the side of the road to pick up carrion killed by other motorists and remove them to the side of the road so the raptors could feast in safety. Small action, significant outcome.

The second woman who has inspired me is retired Judge Dame Carolyn Henwood, with whom I have had the privilege of working for nearly 20 years. Together, we have strived to create systemic change for young people within the justice system. Dame Carolyn was a trailblazer for women in the judiciary, and she used her insights to drive sustainable change in the arts, for young people, and in communities. I have learned so much from her — particularly the importance of looking beyond obstacles, seeking what lies beneath them, and finding solutions. She has taught me to dream big, to be persistent, and to embrace life with celebration and joy.

Lastly, though I have never met her in person, is Robin Wall Kimmerer whose book Braiding Sweetgrass has been a guiding light and companion over the last five years. The profound wisdom in her writing brings to life the intricate connections within our natural ecosystems, emphasizing that we are stewards and kin. Kimmerer’s perspective on the world as a living being rather than a resource to be exploited resonates deeply with me and inspires me to continual growth in my own life.

These women, each in their unique way, have shaped my understanding of resilience, strength, and the importance of living in joy and harmony with the world around us.

Q. In your conservation efforts for wetlands, what key challenges did you face and how has this experience fuelled your dedication to making a positive impact?

The greatest challenge I have faced is finding ways to authentically connect the vastly different cultures and political approaches across our 18 partner countries and 21 non-government partners. There is unwavering goodwill to address wetland conservation issues across our Flyway, and my commitment to this work is to translate that goodwill into actions, inspiring people to connect and build a continuous chain of wetland habitats for our migratory waterbirds.

As I reflect on these challenges, I have come to realize that meaningful progress can only be achieved when we foster genuine connections between individuals and communities, transcending cultural differences. The ASEAN Flyway Network established under the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity has proven to be a successful model, uniting wetland habitat managers across borders. Another inspiring model is developing the migration route of individual waterbird species, linking wetland habitats and communities across multiple countries.

Working alongside Beijing Forestry University, I have played an instrumental role in establishing the Flyway University Alliance. This academic collaboration brings together universities and research institutes across our Flyway to conduct joint research and facilitate exchanges at every level. Through this alliance, we are nurturing a new generation of young professionals, researchers and academics who not only understand each other’s culture but who collaborate across cultures to secure a shared future of our wetland environments, migratory waterbirds, and the communities that depend on them. These types of initiatives fuel my motivation to effect change for a sustainable future. 
 

Q. As a woman who has made significant strides, where can you say investment is required to accelerate progress and empower women’s actions for wetlands?

We are stronger when we work on change together. To accelerate progress, investment should focus on uniting influential women, those with financial resources, and individuals with invaluable life experience so they may mentor and support women at every stage of life who are involved in wetlands.

We must value and engage women who are already driving positive change in their communities.  When recruiting for senior positions in government and international organisations related to the environment, we should recognize the value and wisdom of prior experience, not just academic qualifications. 

Mentoring plays a pivotal role. By mentoring young women alongside young men, we create an environment where both genders can support each other’s growth and contribute to a more inclusive and empowered future.