Photo courtesy of Tiffany Marcelle
Tiffany Marcelle is a physicist, a mathematician, lecturer, an environmental advocate, and a part-time farmer in Dominica. In an interview for GEF Youth Voices, she talked about how her quest for continual learning has helped her gain and share insights about how clean energy, land health, reforestation, and cultural preservation can go hand in hand.
What do you do for a living, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I have quite a few jobs. I am a physics and math lecturer at Dominica State College, a technical assistant for the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management, the project coordinator for the Dominica chapter of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network, and an intern for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture.
In addition to all of that, I am a part-time farmer. What I enjoy most about each job is the exchange of knowledge. I am able to continuously educate myself on a hobby I am passionate about, while simultaneously passing along the knowledge I already have.
How does your role relate to the Global Environment Facility?
The GEF supports developing countries in addressing the world’s most pressing environmental issues. Every job I have focuses on improving the environment in Dominica. As a physics lecturer, I emphasize the importance of green energy, often exposing my students to opportunities in that field. Dominica has the potential to become a model island for 100 percent renewable energy, and this creates exciting job opportunities for students.
At the Caribbean Youth Environment Network, we consistently work on environmental initiatives, whether through beach and river cleanups or forums to discuss environmental issues and how they can be improved. With the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, I collaborate closely with farmers to combat land degradation using Indigenous innovations and more organic, sustainable farming techniques. Together, these roles allow me to contribute significantly to environmental sustainability efforts in Dominica.
Could you describe a project or issue that you are currently focused on?
Right now at the Caribbean Youth Environment Network, I’m focused on writing a proposal for a project to reforest a canoe trail in the Kalinago territory, which is home to the Indigenous Kalinago people of Dominica. This project is not just about planting trees; it’s about revitalizing the area to create more opportunities for ecotourism, which can bring in valuable monetary benefits for the community. Reforesting the canoe trail also plays a vital role in preserving the traditional practice of making canoes from gommier trees. This cultural heritage is incredibly important to the Kalinago people, and by supporting these traditions, we’re helping to strengthen their identity while promoting sustainable practices. It’s a project that aligns environmental goals with cultural preservation, and I’m excited about the potential impact it can have.
How did you get into this line of work?
I didn’t always know I wanted to work on environmental issues, it’s something I sort of fell into over time. Environmental science was my favorite class in college, but I didn’t pursue a degree directly related to the environment. However, when I started farming, it opened my eyes to environmental challenges, and that’s when I began to feel a deeper connection to the field. It all came together when some old college friends introduced me to the Caribbean Youth Environment Network. Their passion for their work inspired me, and it was in that moment I realized this was a space I truly loved and wanted to be part of.
Is there a GEF-supported project that is especially close to your heart?
One project that’s especially close to my heart is the Sustainable Land Management in the Commonwealth of Dominica project. The project seeks to to build capacity for sustainable land management in government, civil society institutions, and among user groups, while also integrating sustainable land management into government planning and strategy development.
As an intern at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, I got to work directly with the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management on this initiative.
My role was to ensure that farmers were adopting and implementing methods to reduce land degradation. This was especially important since Dominica is in the hurricane belt and is prone to extreme climatic events, like hurricanes and tropical storms, which have caused significant land degradation over the years. In addition, poor agricultural practices have also contributed to the problem, and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture’s approach was to tackle these issues head-on by promoting better farming practices.
What made the project so meaningful to me was how much I learned, not just from the project itself, but from working directly with farmers. It deepened my understanding of the challenges we face, and I even picked up new techniques that I’ve since applied to my own farm. It also opened doors for me, leading to my current role as a technical assistant with the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management. For me, it wasn’t just about the professional growth; it was about knowing that the work we were doing was directly improving the lives of people in Dominica and helping protect our environment for the long term.
Is there someone you have met through your work who has had a lasting impact on you?
Yes - Sharon Allicock Joseph, who was my Environmental Science teacher during college and is now my boss as the at the Dominica State College. Her class was my absolute favorite, it was engaging, gave us real world experience, and was always enjoyable. I still vividly remember those lessons and how much fun we had while learning. During that time, I also joined the Environmental Club, which is still one of the leading clubs on campus (also mentored by her), and we organized a Green Gala competition — a pageant showcasing the importance of recycling and creative ways to use recyclable materials as costumes. To this day, she is not only a great mentor but also an encouraging and supportive boss.
What life lessons has your work taught you?
Things don’t always go as planned, so it’s important to have a contingency in place. Whether it's a tropical storm or even heavy rainfall interrupting an outdoor event you’ve spent months preparing for, technology failing right before a lesson, or mishaps in the procurement of tools and materials. Sometimes, it feels like everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. In those moments, take a deep breath and focus on your next step. Dwelling on misfortunes and errors won’t fix them. Staying calm and proactive will help you find solutions and keep things moving.
Environmental issues are very often complicated and concerning. What gives you hope?
Young people and organizations like the Caribbean Youth Environment Network that are at the forefront of environmental advocacy - their energy, creativity, and passion inspire real change!
