Burnout in our environmental professionals

For those of us that choose (or fall into) a career in the environmental sector, It can be easy to get lost in the work of saving our planet. We are driven by our passion for conservation and the belief (and hope) that our actions can make a difference. However, the reality is that this work can be mentally and physically draining, leading to a higher rate of burnout than many of us would care to admit. This month in Community Leaders Academy, we are exploring the concept of wellbeing and burnout of both our precious volunteers and those of us working in the sector.

Burnout is a complex issue that affects individuals in different ways. Steve from Central Tablelands Landcare in NSW, is one of our awesome members who recently shared his experience with burnout, highlighting the challenges that come with working in the non-profit NGO sector, where project funding is often inconsistent, administrative burdens are high and work environments and projects are often highly politically charged. This can create a sense of uncertainty amongst employees, leading to a loss of productivity and often, sudden changes that can impact one's mental health and indeed, their career.

Steve's experience is not unique. Many environmental professionals, including those in Landcare, NGOs, local councils, and state government departments, have also experienced burnout. The feeling that environmental problems outweigh social priorities for action, coupled with an administrative burden that takes away from the actual job at hand, can leave individuals feeling drained. When funding is uncertain we can also find ourselves and colleagues needing to pivot our focus to campaign and push for funding reinstatement, which halts our momentum on the cause at hand and is a heavy emotional burden, not to mention the workload.

Burnout can feel like a loss of motivation and concentration, anxiety, looking at a list of “to do” stuff and not having enough fuel in the tank to get to it, feelings of being overwhelmed, loss of interest in the things we love, oversharing personal stuff, frustration and loss of empathy at those around us (even if they are just trying to do their job or being a keen volunteer). The key is to be able to get aware of the changes, understand that you need a shift and then, importantly, take action to reconnect and replenish.
Steve says, It is vitally important to do the work when you feel good, so that when it gets a bit overwhelming, you have tools available to firstly recognise the symptoms and secondly to do something about it,  “For me that is playing a new instrument ( I have recently taken up double bass), doing brainteasers/ puzzles like crosswords and sudoku, going for long walks in the bush including time to sit down, have a cuppa and just sit and observe”. Steve shared.

Not only is the physical environmental problem significant, public discussion about “what needs to be done” seems to belie a deeper misunderstanding of the complexity of ecological systems and knowledge we have to repair them. Many environmental professionals have studied and worked on their skills for years, we are often skilled and highly specialised operators, delivering critical outcomes to protect, restore and enhance our ecosystems, landscapes, flora and fauna, along with the laws and processes that are meant to protect them, yet the lack of investment and security across the sector sends a clear message that our natural environment and the professionals that work to protect it are not a priority.

Alongside the lack of funding sits a lack of funding willing to support paid professionals to coordinate and run programs, leaving a heavy burden on our precious volunteers. This lack of recognition can contribute greatly to feelings of burnout, for both professionals and volunteers,  leaving individuals questioning whether their efforts are making any difference or whether the payoff for the burden is worth it.

So how can we prevent burnout in the environmental sector? Steven suggests that connection and meaning are important elements here. As environmental professionals, we need to feel connected to ourselves, our values, our human communities, and the natural spaces we are trying to protect. This means cultivating relationships with humans and nature alike, which can be time-consuming, but ultimately rewarding and essential for the longevity of our people. In a recent Community Leaders Academy guest expert session, we were joined by Wellness and Burnout Coach, Pam Durant who shared her insights on burnout prevention. It occured to me in this session that 6 out of the 10 self care strategies given were covered through environmental volunteering. We curate spaces that prevent burnout. This is truly a gift to our communities and to nature and something we could get even more deliberate around in our project design.

Steve talked about “forest bathing” and said that not only do we need to spend time in nature enjoying the quality of light or being around trees, but also to look at the mushrooms and ants, sit and listen to birds, look under leaf litter and look at the moulds and moisture – to be distracted, in other words, by the non-human world, and be reminded that its there, we are actually a part of it and reliant on it.

Additionally, we need to feel that the work we are doing is valued. We need to recognise the importance of on-ground conservation works and the skills and expertise of our environmental professionals and volunteers alike. By valuing this work, we can create a sustainable environment for environmental professionals, preventing burnout, by design, and ensuring the long-term success of our conservation efforts.

In conclusion, burnout is a real issue affecting environmental professionals. We need to recognise its complexity and actively work to prevent it by working to create sustainable working environments that value their skills and expertise and prioritise their wellbeing. If we can get this balance right, we will naturally create better, more supportive spaces and more manageable workloads for our precious volunteers too. By doing so, we can ensure the long-term success of our conservation efforts and continue to make a positive impact on our planet. Now there's a worthwhile cause with a huge return on investment.

Written by Steve Fleischman and Kim Boswell

To get Kims ebook on wellbeing and sustainable community action, head HERE
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