August 23, 2024
Introducing the Team at CPAWS Manitoba
Carly Gray is the inspiring leader of our Outdoor Education Program, bringing her vibrant passion for nature and education to every adventure. A certified teacher from the University of Winnipeg After-Degree Bachelor of Education program (April 2023), Carly joined CPAWS part-time in June 2022, quickly transitioning to a full-time educator in 2023. Now, as the manager of our Outdoor Education Program, she has shared the wonders of the natural world with thousands of children and adults across Manitoba.
Driven by a deep commitment to environmental education and a mission to foster a profound connection between people and nature, Carly’s dedication shines through in every program she delivers. Her journey in working with children began in 2010, encompassing roles such as YMCA day camp counsellor and youth program coordinator, literacy tutor, after-school program supervisor, and dance instructor. Carly worked for the Department of Families after graduating from university for the first time in 2014, which helped frame a community-oriented approach to conservation education. Each role has honed her skills and fueled her passion for teaching and empowering the next generation and community.
Carly has obtained both Project WILD and Below Zero instructor certifications from the Canadian Wildlife Federation, further enhancing her ability to connect learning experiences to local wildlife. She has also completed professional development through the Monarch Teacher Network and loves to share knowledge about the diverse Manitoba bee and butterfly species. Carly continues the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation training through First Nation University and has completed the first two seasons of the course. Throughout the year, Carly attends free webinars through the Outdoor Learning Store and is always learning new ways to connect people to nature. Her enthusiasm for environmental education is matched by her belief in the transformative power of building relationships with nature and how instilling a lifelong appreciation for the natural world is crucial to conservation and well-being.
When she’s not inspiring young minds, you can find Carly soaking in the beauty of a sunset or taking on a creative project.
Her love for nature and dedication to education make her a cornerstone of our team, continually driving our mission to connect people to the wonders of the wild.
Q+A with Environmental Education Manager Carly Gray
- What Is Your Main Role with CPAWS Manitoba?
I am the Environmental Education Manager, I coordinate our Outdoor Education Program. I create and facilitate environmental workshops for students, daycares, camps, community organizations, senior centers, partnering organizations, and professional development for teachers. I mentor and manage an incredible team of educators to connect as many people to nature through our after-school program, schoolyard workshops, community workshops, presentations, and field trips to local wild spaces! I facilitate some of our Nature Club classes over the summer and collaborate with organizations for presentations and events.
- What Do You Hope to Achieve with Your Work?
I want to remind people of our deep interconnection with the natural world. Understanding and engaging with the local environment not only enriches our lives but also deepens our appreciation for the wisdom of those who have cared for these lands since time immemorial. Nature is a gift and with each breath that we take, we need to acknowledge that gift in some way. I want to share the deep love I have for all the bugs, bees, flowers, and trees, and foster curiosity and wonder in people of all ages.
Receiving the gifts of Indigenous Knowledge and learning through Indigenous Pedagogy offers invaluable insights into environmental stewardship and living harmoniously with the land. By integrating this wisdom with western scientific approaches, we can foster a more holistic and respectful understanding of our world. I am passionate about sharing the knowledge I’ve been privileged to receive and stepping into the role of an educator for reconciliation.
- Favourite part of your job?
Have you ever seen a child see a frog for the first time? Or catch a grasshopper? Their excitement is infectious! I love to watch people of all ages look at the world around them with curiosity, wonder, and joy. The conversations that come from observing the beauty of nature are uplifting, especially with children. I love being able to share my passion and interest in wildlife with others. Teachers get the privilege of being lifelong learners, adapting and changing with their students, I love that I get to continue learning about the content I am curious about. From polar bears and belugas to black swallowtails – I am fascinated by all the species that have adapted to live in the beautiful province I call home.
I would also say that mentorship has become a favourite part of my job. I learn so much from the awesome folks on my education team and the whole CPAWS MB team. We have an incredibly supportive work environment that is co-created by every person who is a part of the team. Whether it’s for the summer or a full-time contract, it is remarkable what each person brings to this organization. We get to learn and grow together every day!
- What Inspires You to Protect and Be an Advocate for Nature?
As a child, I was obsessed with animals. I was so interested in learning about them and ultimately wanted to save them. Through the work that CPAWS does as an organization to protect the habitat of wildlife across Canada, I feel the work I do for the organization contributes to our overall goal and I think little Carly would be proud.
As an educator, my responsibility in reconciliation is a huge part of what makes my work meaningful and inspiring. A lot of the inspiration I get for my work comes from a deep-rooted respect for Indigenous Knowledge and the drive to move the needle forward on reconciliation. I am constantly inspired by the resilience and knowledge of the diverse Indigenous Communities here in Manitoba and across Canada. There is nothing like hearing the stories of the land by those who steward it.
The more I take people out into wild spaces, the more I see that these spaces have not been accessible to all. I have had the privilege of a deep connection to nature from a very young age; foraging, gardening, and spending sustained time in the wilderness which brings me closer to my childhood experience. I still spend much of my free time outdoors and I feel the benefits for my mental and physical well-being. I am motivated to make these spaces accessible so everyone has access to these same benefits and experiences.
- What are you currently working on in CPAWS?
I have had a very busy summer coordinating summer workshops and driving to various Manitoba communities to deliver programs. I have enjoyed facilitating the Nature Club workshops this summer and connecting to people in one of my favourite local parks, but it’s time for back to school!
I am excited to take classrooms out into wild spaces on field trips. This year I will be supporting a handful of classes to integrate environmental inquiry into classroom learning. We will use nature to weave math, social studies, science, and english outcomes into a hands-on environmental project, this will have a lasting impact on the students as they engage in conservation and stewardship.
I am looking forward to a very busy school year with our schoolyard workshops, field trips, and the after-school program. If you’re interested in having any of our programming this year, our new booking page will be up soon!
Fast Facts:
- How would you describe yourself in 5 words?
Joyful, quirky, compassionate, silly, and adventurous
- Favourite outdoor activity?
Canoe trips and foraging. I love greeting places, both familiar and new, and paying attention to all of the wonders it has to share with me!
- Favourite Manitoba Vacation spot?
My cabin at Gull Lake, spending time in the forest there feels like home.
- Favourite Provincial Park?
Nopiming Provincial Park! It means “entrance to the wilderness” in Anishinaabemowin and it truly feels like you are in the wilderness, it is my favourite place for a canoe trip!
- Favourite Winnipeg Park?
Crescent Drive Park! I spent a lot of time there with my grandmother and it holds a special place in my heart. A close second is a tie between Bunn’s Creek and Assiniboine Park.
- Favourite Nature Book or Documentary?
“Braiding Sweetgrass (for young adults!)” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, I love how she weaves Indigenous Knowledge, Worldviews, and Teachings through story. I love the pictures and layout of the young adult version; it helps communicate Indigenous World views to children. This book reframed the way I see the natural world.
“Butterflies of Manitoba” by Simone Hebert Allard and “Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada” by Andy MacKinnon have been riding along on every hike with me this year!
Learn more about Carly and our education program in these blogs:
Teaching Kids About Nature With Outdoor Games and Activities