Elyse Blondell

Elyse Blondell began her fellowship with NUREC as part of the NATURA early-career fellowship to explore nature-based solutions for urban resilience. She is currently working on developing a conceptual diagram linking urban ecosystems, green infrastructure, and ecosystem services to inform planning strategies. She is also authoring a white paper to provide actionable recommendations for urban ecosystem management, with plans for submission to the Journal of Extension. Her work aims to support practitioners and inform municipal planning strategies.

Elyse is currently an intern in the Economic, Youth and Sustainable Development Directorate at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Originally from Toronto, she moved to London to pursue a Master’s degree in Environment and Sustainable Development at University College London, where she studied climate action, land management, and community-led development. She is particularly passionate about integrating feminist, decolonial, and Indigenous perspectives into sustainable development and ensuring marginalized voices are amplified in global policy discussions.

In the future, Elyse plans to pursue a PhD to further explore the role of evidence-based research in shaping policy and practice. In her free time, Elyse enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring new neighborhoods in London.