Matt Christensen’s role as a Head of Conservation for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) involves the coordination of both securement and stewardship within BC. The mandate of Ducks Unlimited Canada is to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for the benefit of North America’s waterfowl. In doing so, these wetland habitats also benefit other wildlife, as well as people.
The Slocan Valley is fortunate to have Richard Johnson amongst its residents. Richard is a professional engineer involved with many projects and local conservation organizations including the Arrow Lakes Environmental Stewardship Society, Slocan Wetlands Assessment and Mapping Project (SWAMP), of which he was a cofounder, and Living Lakes Canada, among others.
Based in Jaffray in the East Kootenay, Clayton Lamb does wildlife research all over the province. For more than a decade, he has been involved with a study of grizzly bear survival, reproduction, coexistence and conflict in the Elk Valley.
Katie Reid has been with the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) since 2013 when she started as the Field Operations Manager before transitioning to her current role as the Program Director. Her journey into the realm of invasive species management has been marked by her commitment to environmental stewardship and a passion for conserving the unique ecosystems of the East Kootenay region.
Greg Anderson had a 35-year career in all aspects of forest management including ecosystem restoration, and continues to bring this experience to the Kootenays, including as a Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund Technical Review Committee member.
Working to shift the underlying paradigms of society takes commitment and tenacity, as well as the ability to see the big picture of what needs to change and the vision of how to get there. Ecologist Dr. Rachel Holt is someone who embodies these qualities and is unwavering in her dedication to what she sees as the vitally important work of conservation.
Megan Jamison, the new Communications Coordinator with the Kootenay Conservation Program, has a varied background of work and volunteer experiences, with the common thread being her love for nature, adventure, and connecting with people.
A retired geologist, Columbia Lake Stewardship Society (CLSS) chair Nancy Wilson is passionate about Columbia Lake and took an interest in CLSS because of their water quality work.
Krista Watts’ scope of work is as expansive as the geographical area within which she works. As the Environment Lead for Columbia Basin Trust, her role is to support the Trust’s ecosystem enhancement strategic priority.
A senior scientist and the ethnoecology lead for the West Kootenay-based Kootenay Native Plant Society (KNPS), Brenda has a PhD in Ethnoecology from the University of Victoria (UVic) focused on camas landscapes, which led to a greater understanding of this previously under-researched culturally significant plant. She also holds a MSc in Ethnobotany and a BA in Plant Ecology from California State University in her hometown of Sacramento.
