Gloria Orozco joins other Friends staff members for a seed processing day at Emily Oaks Nature Center.
Gloria Orozco joins other Friends staff members for a seed processing day at Emily Oaks Nature Center.

Women in Restoration

Posted: April 1st, 2015
Gloria Orozco helps teach young kids how to fish at one of our free recreation events in the Calumet.

Gloria Orozco helps teach young kids how to fish at one of our free recreation events in the Calumet.

Being a woman in the conservation field can definitely be an interesting adventure. I have come across people who cannot believe there are women out there running a chainsaw to clear out acres and acres of invasive trees. On the other hand, I have also come across people who are happy to see that young women are out there doing what has been considered to be a “man’s job” in the past.

A “man’s job.”

See, I had never actually gave it much thought to the fact that there aren’t as many women in the conservation field as there are men. But as the years passed, I noticed more and more how few women there are in this field. Does it intimidate me? It used to, but not anymore.

Gloria Orozco inspects macro-invertebrates that she helped collect at Plum Creek.

Gloria Orozco inspects macro-invertebrates that she helped collect at Plum Creek.

Now I am able to see the strength that I have not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. I have found so much support in the women around me that are in restoration–support I don’t think I would have been able to find anywhere else. They have given me the mentality that women are strong enough to do whatever they set their mind to. Whether it is to be a firefighter, a housewife, a nurse, or a contractor. I can be whatever I want to be. I have a choice. This is a vital realization that every woman needs to learn.

That is a main reason why I like to get involved in high school volunteer days. Those girls need to see more women out there–see that they have the strength to do hard labor. There are no limits to what they can be and what they can do.

Gloria Orozco helps lead a prescribed burn at McMahon Woods.

Gloria Orozco helps lead a prescribed burn at McMahon Woods.

Every day that I have spent out in the field, I have felt myself become stronger and stronger. In the past five years that I have been in the conservation field, I have seen myself transform from a shy teenager to a strong, independent woman. I am no longer afraid to push myself to my limits. I am no longer afraid to be the woman I am today.

By: Gloria Orozco, Forest Preserve Leadership Corps member