Our People

Preferring to see the Elk Valley and beyond with the aid of running shoes, Courtney has been fortunate to call Fernie home for the last 32 years. Building on her passion for nonprofits and community building Courtney is keen to keep our area of the planet as abundant as she can. Graduating from the University of Victoria with a degree in Sociology and minors in Political Science and English Literature she feels very lucky that she was able to move home and be continually inspired by the mountains of her youth.

Ayla Bennett lives with her family in Fernie, BC. She is passionate about conserving and discovering more of our beautiful mountains, free-flowing rivers and wild spaces. Ayla works with environmental non-profit groups including Wildsight, Elk River Alliance and Mainstreams Environmental Society.

Shanoon Bennett lives in beautiful Winlaw, in the Slocan Valley. She teaches a host of programs including Know Your Watershed, as well as Wild Voices for Kids Winter Safety and Survival Skills, Animal Tracks, Habits and Homes, Forest, River, Pond Ecology and Natures Wild Food and Medicine programs.

John was a leader in the 20-year process to create and complete the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy. He has been instrumental in designation of protected areas and parks in the East Kootenay, coordinated environmental appeals against industrial polluters, worked to establish the Southern Rocky Mountain Conservation Area, the Columbia Wetlands and East Columbia Lake Wildlife Management Areas.

Morgan Blakley works at Ecojustice as a public interest environmental lawyer. Morgan grew up in Wilmer and now lives in Vancouver. He is deeply interested in environmental issues generally and particularly in environmental issues in the Kootenays such as keeping Jumbo wild and maintaining the Columbia Valley Wetlands.

Casey and his family live work and play in Fernie in the heart of Canada's beautiful Southern Rockies. Casey managed Wildsight's Southern Rockies Campaign for a decade and is grateful for the opportunity to continue to support progress on conservation and community sustainability through volunteering with Wildsight.

Graduated UVic 1978, BSc Physical & Resource Geography.
Built energy efficient home near Cranbrook in 1983.
Self employed, with a variety of jobs according to the season.
Active member of Rocky Mountain Naturalists, South Star Recreation Society, Kootenay Christmas Tree Association.
I like birding, paddling, making things from ‘scratch’ and figuring out how to improve my community.

Andrea loves everything outdoors, be it a microscopic plant or heartwarming snowfall against a colourful sunset. She brings experience with education, research, and management to the Wildsight Kimberley/Cranbrook branch, and is excited to be working within the communities she calls home.

Dean was born and raised in Kimberley where he learned early on to value wild spaces while recreating and working outdoors. Clean water, clean air, sustainable communities and a better world for his grandchildren are the values that keep him involved with Wildsight.

Brian has a MSc in Forestry Wildlife and had a career as a Wildlife Biologist for BC Government in Fort St. John followed by 15 years of consulting as an ungulate habitat specialist.  Brian has been involved in conservation biology and wildlife research projects including swans, mountain goats, caribou, moose, elk, deer and grizzly bear.

After completing a B.A in Geography and GIS at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Gemma came to British Columbia 'for a visit' and never left. She has been residing in Golden, BC for the past four years where she likes to spend time outdoors enjoying the sun, rain and snow. When she's not working you can find her enjoying a good book, travelling or working in her garden.

Brian Conrad moved to the Kootenays in the mid 1970’s after living in England, the United States, Mexico and Colombia. The grandeur of the region inspired an intensified consciousness of environmental excitement and concerns. As a teacher at Mt. Baker Secondary School in Cranbrook, Brian joined a team of colleagues and ran an Environmental Awareness Program for Grade 11 students for many years.

Mary Cosman has been a grower-member of Seeds of Diversity Canada since the early 1990s. She was a member of the Prince George Community Garden while living there, and has been a director of Fernie’s Community EcoGarden since moving here in 2005.

Since the late 1970’s, I’ve been active locally, regionally and nationally in environmental and social issues.  Jim Campbell and I were the EKES team that started recycling in Cranbrook. I am actively involved in: Kootenai River Network, Inc. (Montana), Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society, EK Network for Humanity, Social Planning Society, Grow It Eat It Task Force, Cranbrook Food Action Committee, the Cranbrook Community Forest Society, and Yasodhara Yoga Cranbrook.

Lindsay has always had a deep love of both words and wilderness. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and her essays have been published in literary journals and magazines in Canada and the US.

Rachel is a conservation biologist who developed and currently coordinates Wildsight's Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey.  She also manages water quality monitoring and invasive plant projects for Wildsight Golden.  She has worked as a wildlife field biologist on multiple projects across the globe for nearly two decades. From elephants, to grizzlies and seabirds; her passion for researching wildlife and protecting the ecosystems they need for survival continues to grow.

Founder of the Rocky Mountain Education Series, Dawn Deydey brings the experience and understanding of five years of Beyond Recycling coordination and development to the table. As Community Program Coordinator for the Wildsight Elk Valley Branch, her ability to weave environmental education and community action into successful programming that moves our community towards sustainability has been proven repeatedly.

Joan has been volunteering with WIldsight Golden since it’s inception in 1989. She has been the branch president for many years, spearheading and supporting many initiatives and projects Joan finds it a privilege to work with the great people that are part of Wildsight and to live and play in such a wild and wonderful place.

Born and raised in Newfoundland, Bryan joined the Wildsight team in 2017 after working 10 years as a Financial Accountant on The Rock. He likes budgets, spreadsheets, dark coffee, and wild places. A CPA, Bryan is proud to work for the wild.

Robyn is the Executive Director of Wildsight and the campaign lead for Jumbo Wild. Born and raised in Kimberley, BC, Robyn fell in love with the mountains at an early age. Her work is driven by her passion for wilderness and wild places and a strong belief that we can minimize our footprint on the planet. She has been with Wildsight since 2006. Her university studies include a MSc-MA in Global Economics from LSE and the University of Vienna, and a BA in International Development from Dalhousie.

Stefanie lives in Invermere. She loves to spend time in the mountains, climbing, skiing, or exploring and is passionate about protecting wild places. She hopes the Purcells will still be intact wilderness in 100 years. As a physician she cares greatly about creating and preserving healthy environments.

Melissa Flint has a background in conservation biology, organic farming, permaculture and environmental consulting - and a love for mountain air and exploration. She loves taking people outside and finding connections in the natural world. Melissa's other work includes design, gardening and workshops in permaculture, sustainability and resiliency, through her company Aurora Edible Designs. Melissa teaches our Beyond Recycling, Classroom with Outdoors, Winter Wonder, and Know Your Watershed programs.

Leah spends her time inside playing with spreadsheets and string instruments. She spends her time outside climbing up and down the mountains around Golden, B.C. on either her bike, skis, snowboard or feet. She is happiest when she gets to do any of these activities with the wonderful people that call this valley home. Leah holds a BComm in Finance from UofC and will gladly do your taxes or make you a budget as long as there is no daylight left to play in

Cam grew up in the Columbia Valley and is thrilled to return and call it home. He has a PhD in Biology and his passion for birds and the environment comes from a life of enjoying the outdoors since he was a child. Living in Windermere, he runs Eagle-Eye Tours, which provides an opportunity for travel to remote and wonderful corners of the world. He has also been involved in several wildlife research projects from leopard frogs to wolverines.

I was born in Marburg, Germany and immigrated to Canada after I obtained my Ph.D. in biology from the Justus-Liebig-Universitaet in Giessen.
I worked for 21 years as a researcher with a forestry company (Alberta-Pacific) in Northern Alberta and was part of a team implementing innovative forest management systems. I am passionate about protecting the environment and Wildsight gives me the opportunity to contribute.

Jaylene is a budding conservationist who grew up on Vancouver Island but currently resides in Golden as the Invasive Plant Program Coordinator for the 2018 summer.

Stephanie was born in a small town in Germany and raised surrounded by mountains, lakes and forests. She has called Kimberley her home since 1995. In her free time she enjoys hiking, kayaking, climbing, biking and photography. She believes in the importance of protecting and teaching our children about sustainable biological systems. She is thrilled to be able to unite her extensive administrative experience with her passion for nature.

I feel fortunate to have lived in the Rocky Mountain Trench for over 30 years and have been able to play and work in my front-yard, the Rocky Mountains and my backyard, the Purcell Mountains. My history with Wildsight is as old as the organization. As a founding member, I have been a proud supporter for many years. I have worked on many campaigns but am most proud of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy campaign successes.

Erna lives, laughs and sings in the mountains. She is an amazing cook and event guru, and brings together many of her passions in her role as Kimberley Farmers' Market Manager.

Jessie moved to Invermere in August 2016 from Crawford Bay in the West Kootenays. She now works as a Wildsight Environmental Educator, and at Eagle-Eye Tours. Her favourite spot in the Columbia Valley is her garden, followed closely by Wilmer Wetlands and any number of local hiking trails.

After moving to Canada for a “six month” working holiday from Melbourne, Australia, Ella Kinowski fell in love with the mountains and has now resided in Golden for the past 4 years. She has a B.Sc. in Zoology and Marine & Freshwater Biology, with an interest in conservation biology. She enjoys all things outdoors; whether it’s splitboarding, mountain biking or hiking through the National Parks, she is happiest when she is adventuring in the mountains.

Patty Kolesnichenko has worked for over 20 years teaching Outdoor Education to individuals of all ages. Her background includes a Degree in Education with a specialization in Physical Education and Science from York University in Toronto. She has taught at the Boyne River Natural Science School, the Nor West Outdoor Centre in Ontario and started St Patrick High school’s Outdoor Program in Yellowknife. Patty has also run her own business "Wolfsong Adventures" in the Northwest Territories.

Genna is passionate about bringing environmental stewardship to our younger generation in the hopes of passing on that enthusiasm so that they may become the next guardians of the earth. She wants them to pass along that knowledge and wonder of nature to their parents so that it will become a "family love affair". Genna teaches our Beyond Recycling, Classroom with Outdoors, and Winter Wonder programs.

Graeme is fascinated by rivers and watersheds, both small and large, wild and urban. Born in Honduras and raised in California, Graeme came to B.C. in 2014 to attend Quest University Canada in Squamish. There, he pursued a self-designed interdisciplinary education in water resources with a special focus on the Columbia River and the Columbia River Treaty. He is excited to bring his passion for the Columbia River and his background in adaptive/accessible outdoor adventure/education to his work.

As Wildsight's Water Program Manager, Heather as been involved in stewardship efforts in the Columbia Basin for more than a decade. She works with individuals and groups to increase capacity and knowledge to better protect our watersheds. Under this guidance, Wildsight's water programs have won awards from foundations and industry, and have been recognized by the federal government as a best practices example in community based monitoring.

As a consulting boreal river ecologist, Annette Luttermann works with Aboriginal communities across Canada primarily investigating the cumulative environmental effects of large hydroelectric developments. Annette holds an interdisciplinary PhD from Dalhousie University where her research focused on the historical effects of dams and impoundments on riparian habitats of the Churchill River in Labrador.

Randal moved to Fernie in the 1990’s and with his wife Lisa raised their family in the Kootenays. Randal is the publisher of Oolichan Books, prior to which he was a museum curator and consultant, working throughout western Canada with museums in human and natural history. He spent much of his life in public service with 15 years as a member of Fernie City Council including six as Mayor and and six as a Director on the Region District of East Kootenay.

Following the path of many transborder grizzlies and wolves, 10 years ago Marcy Mahr and her family dispersed north from Montana, leaping the 49th parallel and immigrating to the Kootenays. Marcy has a M.Sc. in Plant Ecology and her passion for conserving biodiversity has guided her career as an eclectic ecologist. She’s worked on numerous projects in amazing landscapes all over western Canada and the US to advance conservation biology and protect species and ecosystems at risk.

Tif moved to Fernie in 2016. She grew up on an acreage in Quesnel, BC and studied Global Development in Camrose, Alberta. She's grateful for the opportunity to learn about the Kootenays through Wildsight's important work. 

Baiba Morrow has navigated much of her working life as a freelance writer, photographer, and dabbler in documentary film making. In partnership with her husband, Pat Morrow, she has travelled and explored the mountain world, especially the Himalayan region, and found inspiration from ancient cultures. Since moving back to the East Kootenay in 2007, Baiba continues to find joy in her community, the mountains, and her garden.

A passion for the wilderness and a gift for teaching have drawn Monica into the field of environmental education where she has worked both inside and outside the classroom for the past 15 years.

Born and raised in Southern Germany, Invermere has become Marianne's new home over the past few years. She loves the warm-hearted people here, the small-town feel where everyone seems to know everyone, the diverse landscapes from rugged mountain peaks to quiet little fishing lakes, and most of all, the freedom to explore all of these places while sharing experiences with like-minded people.

Natasha is inspired by wonderful people of Wildsight Golden who lead by example when it comes to "sustainable community living". She enjoys volunteering in the water quality monitoring program and on local food issues. Natasha loves living in Golden and try's to spend as much time as she can hiking, skiing, biking, canoeing, and camping!

Janelle Park lives with her family in lovely Fernie, BC. She delivers Know Your Watershed, Winter Wonder and Classroom With Outdoors and is also work as a teacher on call in SD5 and administers online learning at the Kootenay Discovery School. Janelle has a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Science from the University of Alberta and aims to combine her passion for teaching with her enthusiasm for being outdoors.

Tanna has volunteered for Wildsight since the beginning of the Creston Valley branch in 1989. As branch president, she has been involved in air quality issues, the initiation of the Community Forest, trail building and environmental education. For the last 5 years, Tanna has chaired the Creston Valley Bird Fest, a celebration of the birds, the art, and the agriculture of the Creston Valley.

Born and raised in the Cranbrook area, Eddie has a deep passion for the outdoor world and the Kootenays. He has a strong interest in land use issues and protecting biodiversity and wild places. Eddie is excited to continue to learn, explore, and protect the globally significant landscape he calls home.

When given the opportunity and responsibility, kids are capable of far more than we give them credit for. First exposed to this truth while leading remote youth canoe trips, it now serves as a guide to Graham for environmental education. Graham balances our Beyond Recycling program with teaching science in the Elk Valley and exploring the wild spaces around Fernie on foot, on skis and by canoe.

Born in Cranbrook, Dave is a wildlife biologist, educator, wilderness guide, writer and photographer whose work is driven by his passion for wilderness and wild spaces. His work with endangered mountain caribou and badgers, threatened fisher and grizzly, as well as lynx and other species has helped shape his understanding of the Kootenay backcountry and its wildlife, and help shape his efforts to protect what remains.

Once the coordinator for Cranbrook Composts and the Clean Bin project, Nadine now brings her educator background and fresh perspective to the Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook Board of Directors. Passionate about waste reduction and diversion, Nadine is doing her best to reduce her household waste to zero, and blogging all about it!  Check out her work on the Zero Journey Blog.

Lars has a BA.&Sc. in physics and a life-long love of data and the stories it tells. His passion is climate solutions: transportation, buildings, energy and waste. Lars loves to turn science into compelling narratives, driven by the love of the wild that we share, and to craft communications strategies that get results. He optimizes Wildsight's capacity by making systems efficient, numbers tell stories and technology sing.

Jen is a Rossland local who feels blessed to have been raised there. The beauty, lifestyle and the essence of the Kootenays inspire her to be an advocate for our environment. She has a diploma from Selkirk College’s Integrated Environmental Planning program. She is currently teaching the Winter Wonder classes, which she thoroughly enjoys. To her, it is wonderful hearing the children speak up about what the environment means to them and to have some laughs and fun along the way. She loves running, skiing and biking with her family, friends and her dog.

While Mary doesn't enjoy writing her bio, she does love the opportunity to adapt and present some of Wildsight's amazing environmental education school programs (Beyond Recycling, Winter Wonder). She started work in environmental education in the last century as an interpreter for the Friends of Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, has degrees in Biology and Education, and is currently working on her Masters in Environmental Education and Communication.

Verena Shaw is a very passionate naturalist who loves to get outside into the wild and has been birdwatching for many years. Verena has been involved with various environmental projects with some bird related ones being swallow, bluebird, wood duck nest box monitoring, nightjar and marsh bird surveys, a western screech owl study, and various other bird counts. When coming to the Wings Over the Rockies Bird Festival two years ago she fell deeply in love with this area and the amazing Columbia Wetlands.

Growing up in the Creston Valley, Kieran developed a love for nature, the environment, and the outdoors. He is entering his 4th year of studies at UVic in English and Communications but comes home to the Kootenays in the summer to be in the mountains.

Born and raised in rural west central Minnesota, Jim graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Forestry in 1969, married Sandy and headed west. Over the following 30 years he worked various industry and government positions from Prince George and Burns Lake, to Creston and Vernon and back to Creston again. Throughout most of this experience Jim was fortunate to work with people who “saw the forest through the trees.”

Corinna takes part in Golden's water quality monitoring program and this summer she will be coordinating a new Limber Pine project in the Golden area! Corinna grew up in Edmonton Alberta, and for the past decade she has been exploring and living in the majestic Rocky Mountains. Her passion for the environment lead her to Selkirk College in Castlegar. She has decided to call the beautiful Columbia Valley home. In her spare time Corinna enjoys being in the mountains, running, climbing, skiing and going on wilderness backpacking trips.

I have been active in Wildsight since 2000 and the Elk Valley Branch President for 6 years after serving as an Elk Valley Branch Board Member 16 years. I was also a member of the Wildsight Regional Board of Directors for two years.

I am passionate about local and regional environmental issues and am currently focusing on Waste Reduction for Elk Valley events and residential construction developments.

The Know Your Watershed program in Valemount has given Kim Thorn a welcome opportunity to share program and personal knowledge with the community’s youth, in the strong belief that supporting their understanding of water and watersheds now, will lead to more water-wise adults. Kim has lived for over 35 years in the area and loves her rural life, which brings her regularly into contact with forest and aquatic wildlife.

Drawn west by the mountains, Kim feels most at home amongst the trees. Coming from Calgary, and having grown up mostly in Ottawa, she is very excited to have escaped big city life and finally call Invermere home. With a background in environmental education, Kim brings varied experience in community engagement, program development, and volunteer management. Along with an MA in Environmental Education and Communications, Kim has plenty of enthusiasm for outdoor activities and passion for connecting people with the natural world.

Janette Vickers loves sharing her passion for wild places. Janette has been engaging students in an outdoor classroom and creating meaningful, hands-on experiences in Revelstoke for 10 years. Janette can usually be found outside hiking and biking or swimming at a local water hole. She is always ready to play a game of camouflage!

Jess is an environmental educator with an Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership Degree. She is passionate about the environment and loves to spend time sharing the wonder and awe of nature with her students. She believes that all people, no matter what age, can learn to appreciate the wilderness around them and learn skills to keep it wild for all to enjoy for the future. Activities such as snowboarding, hiking, paddling, mountain biking and gardening keep her busy around her West Kootenay home.