Our People

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.

Founder of the Rocky Mountain Education Series, Dawn Deydey brings the experience and understanding of for over a decade 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.

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.

Ali is a 21 year old resident of Cranbrook, who focuses on Wildsight Education development and communications projects. She was a student in the inaugural year of Columbia River Field School and is excited to be continuing her learning and adventuring with Wildsight. Ali is currently a post secondary student, pursuing a B.Sc. in Environmental Science degree from College of the Rockies and University of Lethbridge.

Jill has been working in environmental education in many capacities throughout her career. She is passionate about nurturing the natural world around her and fostering environmental stewardship in people of all ages.

Lorene joined the team to share the work of Wildsight with the world. Her formative years were spent in Cranbrook where she tromped through the trails, hiked the wild mountains and swam in cold, clear lakes. She is keen to keep these wild spaces for her own children and the generations to come. With a passion for the written word, Lorene presents the voice of Wildsight for all who love this place we...

Graeme serves as program manager for the Columbia River Field School and the Youth Climate Corps. He is passionate about the relationships that underpin the ways we make decisions about rivers and the climate. In 2017, Graeme spent 35 days biking and kayaking up the Columbia River from sea-to-source. He now lives in Golden but enjoys visiting familiar places and faces across the region. 

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...

Emily is the West Kootenay Youth Climate Corps (YCC) Coordinator and was a participant in the YCC pilot program in 2020. She is currently a student at the University of Northern British Columbia, studying Wildlife and Fisheries. Emily hopes that through the YCC we are able to connect young people with meaningful and accessible opportunities in climate action. 

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.

Eddie is an East Kootenay local yokel, a conservationist and a human and coffee powered adventurer. Eddie works to improve logging practices on the ground and at a provincial level, he works on old growth protection, caribou recovery, recreation and land-use planning. 

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 guide his efforts to protect what remains.

Lars is Wildsight's mining lead, focusing on the impacts of coal mining in the Elk Valley. Lars has a BA.&Sc. in physics and a life-long love of clean water. When not focused on mining, Lars helps shape Wildsight's communications and fundraising strategies.