by E.J. Baybe-Mahn
Successful aquatic restoration traditionally comes from extensive research and knowledge of the system, collaboration among stakeholders, and thorough planning. But what if there was another way to ensure restorations are creating the results we want to see? With increasing effects of climate change, urbanization, and other anthropogenic factors, aquatic organisms, especially ones that are endangered, need successful restorations more than ever to aid in their survival. One Ph.D. student at UC Davis, Madeline Eugenia Fallowfield— or Madge, says she’s studying the “power of positive thinking” to improve the success of aquatic restoration projects.
“Well researched work plans and highly detailed designs that include the input of many stakeholders isn’t enough anymore. We need positive thoughts and wishful thinking.” Madge says. “It’s really upsetting to sit in on a restoration planning meeting and not see a single vision board.” But that’s something Madge is hoping to change with her dissertation based on novel approaches to aquatic restoration.
Madge first became interested in the “power of positive thinking” after watching daytime television. “I was 10 years old and thought it was the greatest discovery ever,” Madge reminisces. Since then, Madge has been using the “power of positive thinking” to navigate life. “There can be a lot of pessimism around the state of our environment and ongoing efforts to restore habitat, and that’s when it occurred to me that I should bring the “power of positive thinking” to my graduate studies on restoration efforts,” she states.
Part of Madge’s study is to compare restoration projects that utilize the “power of positive thinking” against those that don’t. She expects to see very clear results between the two groups. Restoration designs that harness this power will employ several tactics to manifest success. Madge states the first step is to start each planning meeting with thirty minutes of thought work. “We’ll all sit in the room, or over video call, together and think really, really hard about how much we want this to work.” Madge goes on to explain that a main tenet of the “power of positive thinking” is that our thoughts create real energy and that energy travels out into the universe and collects and eventually manifests into reality. Madge states that each session should focus on a different aspect of the restoration that needs to be successful.
Another important aspect is the use of vision boards to think about what needs to be manifested. “Take my delta smelt vision board for the Lookout Slough Restoration in the Delta for example.” Madge explains, “I’m putting all the things delta smelt would need to be successful in hopes of manifesting it. It’s got pictures of ice for cool water, some pictures of dirty water for increased turbidity, and lots of pictures of zooplankton so they have plenty of food. It’s like fifty-percent zooplankton on that board, I’m serious about that part.” Madge recommends vision boards with rushing water, gravel, and the molecule thiamine for restoration designed for Chinook salmon. For sturgeon restoration, Madge says images of dam removal and cool water are ideal.
Madge wants to take things even further with the next chapter of her study. “We also need to work on the fish,” she says. “They also have to believe that things are going to be okay.” Madge recommends that fish in the restorations be spoken words of affirmation by biologists but adds that motivational podcasts on loop can work if people aren’t around all the time. Madge explains that just like our thoughts, our words create energy, and we can pass that energy onto the fish. Madge expects increased growth rates and reduced mortality for fish in treated restorations. “We supplement vital nutrients to fish with deficiencies, I don’t see how this is any different,” Madge says.
While she has a positive outlook on her studies, not everyone is receptive of Madge’s manifestation work. She claims people accuse of her peddling pseudoscience and wasting precious resources like grant funding, but Madge counters that at least she’s trying everything possible to improve restoration efforts. “Sometimes I’ll just sit at restoration sites and spend hours working to manifest successful restoration. It can be really hard sitting in the sun for all day, but that’s how dedicated I am.”
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