Our People

Leslie has 6 grandchildren and it is important to her that they are able to enjoy the wilderness as much as she does forever.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Taylor grew up in Invermere and is now in her third year at Western University studying biology. She loves spending time with her animals and outdoors hiking, biking, paddle-boarding and kayaking. Taylor also loves to bake and read and hopes to eventually have travelled the globe.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.