Faces and Places: Irene Manley

Irene Manley is a Wildlife Biologist with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations in Nelson who works tirelessly to lead and support many conservation efforts throughout the Kootenay region.

For the last 25 years, she has proven herself a leader in ecosystem conservation, and encourages and offers guidance to countless projects being conducted by non-profit societies who sometimes require the support of biologists to move their projects forward.

Irene has a very diverse work portfolio. She has worked extensively with species-at-risk and has almost two decades of experience in the Kootenays (East and West) where she has studied the distribution and habitat requirements of Northern Leopard Frogs, Western Toads, Flammulated Owls, Western screech-owls and Lewis’ Woodpeckers.

In addition, she also has led and participated in many projects in the Kootenays — ecosystem restoration, wetland restoration and conservation land management to name a few.

Irene has an M.Sc. in wildlife biology from Simon Fraser University and is a Registered Professional Biologist.