A Heart for Nature: Meet Dr. Kathleen Aikens

Returning home to Cape Breton after 15 years, Dr. Kathleen Aikens proves that life can come full circle with a heart for nature. From a Biology student to the Executive Director at ACAP Cape Breton, Dr. Aikens now leads the team in Growing Forward Together, an initiative to plant 50,000 trees across Cape Breton Island as part of CBU’s 50th Anniversary celebration.

Originally from Upper Leitches Creek, Dr. Aikens started her studies at the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB) before it became Cape Breton University in 2005. She graduated from CBU in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology, making her part of a unique class that witnessed a significant chapter in the University’s history.

During her time as a student, Dr. Aikens spent countless hours in the entomology lab in the A-wing working on hands-on projects that connected her with Cape Breton’s natural landscapes. One of her highlights was assisting a fellow student with an honours research project on ground beetle communities in an old-growth forest at Irish Cove. Together, they spent months hiking into the forest from spring through late summer, searching for rare plants like orchids, cucumber root plants and beech drops. “Old-growth forests are a rare ecosystem in Nova Scotia as most of our forests have been logged,” she explains. “It was an incredible privilege to watch the seasons unfold in a truly beautiful and special place.”

Another highlight for Dr. Aikens was participating in a Biodiversity Blitz on Scatarie Island in the summer of 2005. “I was tasked with insect collection and spent many hours setting traps, investigating flowers and searching through rotting seaweed to find a new species record,” Dr. Aikens recalls. In the end, the group discovered a little lady beetle that had only been previously recorded in the American Midwest, found in the burrow of a ground-nesting bird. This finding led to a published paper, which was a memorable experience for Dr. Aikens and her fellow undergrads, Andrew MacDonald and Sheena Townsend.

Reflecting on her time at CBU, Dr. Aikens emphasizes the impact of the supportive faculty and hands-on learning that helped shape her academic path and career in environmental science. “I always wanted to be a scientist, and it is not an understatement to say that my CBU experience has shaped my entire 20-year career to date,” she shares. Dr. Aikens also notes how her CBU education deepened her understanding of local ecosystems. “The Biology Department provided an incredible learning environment, and I wouldn’t be where I am without the mentorship I received from the faculty, particularly Dr. Dave McCorquodale.”

After graduating from CBU, Dr. Aikens earned a Master of Science in Natural Resource Sciences from McGill University and a PhD in Environment and Sustainability from the University of Saskatchewan. Her journey took her from Montreal and Saskatoon to Melbourne, Australia, but her passion for environmental science and her love for Cape Breton never waned. In 2021, Dr. Aikens returned home with extensive expertise and a pivotal role as the Executive Director at ACAP Cape Breton. “In this job, I have the privilege of serving communities on the Island and protecting and restoring local ecosystems,” Dr. Aikens shares. “I had been away for 15 years, yet I felt so welcomed upon my return, by both the people and the land: the plants and trees, birds and beetles.”

The partnership between CBU and ACAP Cape Breton is not just a professional milestone for Dr. Aikens, but a meaningful return to the community that inspired her passion. “I love that I am able to continue collaborating with CBU in my role at ACAP,” she shares. “Growing Forward Together is such an exciting project as it truly takes an interdisciplinary team to plant 50,000 trees and do it well.” As the initiative progresses, Dr. Aikens and her team are excited about the positive impact the project will have on Cape Breton’s landscapes and communities.

On Saturday, October 26, we invite you to join Dr. Aikens and ACAP Cape Breton for a community tree-planting event at Colliery Lands Park (3696 Ellsworth Ave, New Waterford) as part of the Growing Forward Together project. Whether you’re a student, alumnus or community member, your involvement will help create a greener, more resilient future for Cape Breton.

Learn more about the project at cbu.ca/growing-forward-together.

To stay up to date on the 50th celebration, visit cbu.ca/50.