Bethany Bzduch
Executive Director of the New York State (NYS) Soil and Water Conservation Committee
My Bio: I grew up in Western New York on a dairy farm. After graduating from high school, I attended culinary school to study Baking and Pastry Arts. I quickly realized that it was not for me and decided to change majors. I was accepted to the Rochester Institute of Technology, where I earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and Environmental Policy in 2008. My first job was with the Wyoming County (New York) Soil and Water Conservation District as a Technician. I took my first position with the NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee in 2012 and have been working to support soil and water conservation districts in New York ever since.
One thing I wish everyone understood about conservation is that it is a process. Successful conservation often involves many steps and stakeholders. It does not happen overnight, but with consistency and partnership, we can make it happen.
The single most valuable piece of advice I’d give someone starting out in conservation is to use the tools and resources available to you and be creative.
Conservation was something I discovered after graduating from high school. When I realized that culinary school was not for me, I began exploring other degree options. This is when I learned more about Environmental Science and the different career paths I could take. While I didn’t have a clear vision of where a degree in Environmental Science would take me, I felt that I could use it to have a positive impact and make a difference.
Conservation work has taught me that people are passionate and dedicated. Conservation work is hard, full of challenges, and can be messy (literally and figuratively). It takes someone who is truly passionate about the environment and dedicated to creating a sustainable future to remain focused on the goal and see the work through to the end. There is a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride when a conservation project is completed and serves its purpose.
If celebrating a big win, my guilty-pleasure food or drink would be a glass of champagne and a piece of cheesecake.
My claim to fame in high school was serving as Student Government President and starring as the Witch in our school’s production of Into the Woods.
Ask me about finding creative ways to streamline programs and create efficient procedures. This not only helps our Soil and Water Conservation Districts implement projects and get conservation on the ground more efficiently but also helps the state achieve its environmental goals. I would love to discuss program development and strategies for streamlining procedures.