Sama AlMaarofi

Team Member at the United Spirit Nature Network (USNN), dedicated to advancing holistic environmental stewardship through the integration of Indigenous knowledge, community collaboration, and sustainable practices.

Founder & Executive Director

Dr. Sama AlMaarofi – M.Sc., Ph.D.

Sama AlMaarofi’s lifelong relationship with nature began in a Baghdad classroom when, at age 7, she puzzled her teacher with a child-sized riddle: “If a river meets the desert, where do the fish go to sleep?” The unanswered question set her on a path to ensure that no ecosystem—and no student’s curiosity—is ever left unexplored. Today Sama is an Iraqi-Canadian wetland ecologist, environmental-impact specialist, and community builder with more than 15 years of international experience spanning the Mesopotamian Marshes, the Arabian Gulf, and the river valleys of Atlantic Canada.

Sama holds a Ph.D. in Ecological Assessment and Wetland Restoration and an M.Sc. in Habitat Management from the University of Waterloo, along with a B.Sc. in Biogeochemistry from the University of Baghdad.

She has led multidisciplinary EIA teams for ENI, LUKOIL, BP, and Kuwait Energy; advised Iraq’s Ministry of Environment on curriculum and policy; and directed biodiversity studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Jordan. In academia she served as a seasonal lecturer at Lakehead University and a natural-resources instructor for British Columbia’s NRTG, where she designed field-skills programs that blend Western science with Indigenous ecological knowledge.

Now based in New Maryland, New Brunswick, Sama is the founding Executive Director of the United Spirit Nature Network. Her leadership merges rigorous science with Two-Eyed-Seeing principles, empowering Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to restore wetlands, monitor species at risk, and cultivate the next generation of green-skills champions. Fluent in Arabic and English and at home on three continents, she continues to chase answers to youthful questions—reminding us that every mystery of land and water is an invitation to learn, to protect, and to belong.

Join Us in Preserving Nature

Our Mission

USNN’s mission is to empower Indigenous communities and allies to protect, preserve, and sustainably manage natural resources. We strive to achieve this through collaborative initiatives that prioritize cultural integrity, environmental responsibility, and community engagement. By bridging Indigenous leadership with innovative environmental solutions, USNN aims to create lasting impacts that benefit both current and future generations.

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Our Vision

USNN envisions a future where Indigenous wisdom and environmental stewardship guide global sustainable development, fostering a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature.

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Through Nature Conservation and Indigenous Collaboration

These core pillars define our approach, blending community leadership, sustainability, Indigenous wisdom, and advocacy to protect and preserve our natural world.

Indigenous spirit and holistic application

Incorporating Indigenous wisdom and holistic practices into all our environmental efforts.

Nature Advocacy

Advocating for policies and actions that preserve and protect natural ecosystems.

Community-Driven Initiatives

Empowering communities to lead in environmental stewardship through collaboration and collective action.

Building capacity in nature, sustainability, and conservation

Providing the tools and knowledge needed to protect and sustain our natural resources.