Sheila Colla était largement admirée pour sa brillance scientifique, son engagement passionné et son engagement envers l’équité et la justice. Parmi ses nombreuses contributions, elle a été une championne infatigable des bourdons indigènes du Canada en déclin. Les recherches novatrices de Sheila ont été l’un des premiers signaux d’alarme documentant la diminution massif des populations de bourdons. C’est Sheila qui a mené la campagne pour faire inscrire le bourdon à tache rousse comme espèce en voie de disparition au Canada et aux États-Unis, une première pour un bourdon en Amérique du Nord.

She was far more than a brilliant scientist and conservation leader. She was a fierce advocate for environmental and social justice and was incredibly skilled and determined at bridging the gap between science, community, and politics. As a woman of colour in the largely male-dominated field of entomology, Sheila used her voice and position to uplift those who might not otherwise feel included. Sheila was also a leader in public science communication, engaging communities through nature walks, school presentations, media interviews and books. She is remembered for her leadership in interdisciplinary research, her mentorship of emerging scientists and her unwavering dedication to both scientific excellence and environmental advocacy.

The Sheila Colla Pollinator Research Conservation Fund will provide scholarships for graduate students enrolled in Canadian post-secondary institutions studying at-risk pollinators across the country.

To respect Sheila’s passion and advocacy, the fund will prioritize awards to students belonging to historically excluded groups in STEM, including women and racialized communities.