2021 OLTA Digital Gathering  – “People Need Nature – Nature Needs Us”

Justina Ray, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada

Dr. Justina Ray has been President and Senior Scientist of Wildlife Conservation Society Canada since its incorporation in 2004. In addition to overseeing the operations of this non-governmental organization, Justina is involved in research and policy activities associated with conservation-based planning, environmental assessment and biodiversity conservation. She has been appointed to numerous government advisory panels related to species at risk and land use planning in Ontario and Canada.  She is Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto (Department of Ecology and Evolution; Graduate Department of Forestry) and Trent University (Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate Program).

Jessica Burns, Wildlife Habitat Canada

Jessica is the Project Manager, Land Trust Conservation Fund at Wildlife Habitat Canada and has a passion for nature and a spirit for collaboration. She holds a BA in Sociology from Queen’s University and over 10 years of extensive executive administration experience across private, government and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining WHC, Jessica spent 5 years with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority working in Integrated Watershed Management.

Isobel Ralston, MapleCross Foundation

Isobel Ralston holds B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Alberta, respectively, and worked as a Research Associate at the Universität Zürich, Switzerland. Isobel has approximately 30 years’ experience in global drug development. She held senior management positions in established international pharmaceutical companies, directing clinical research and regulatory affairs. She also consulted to the emerging pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, assisting in the overall strategic development and project management of novel pharmaceutical products from proof of concept through all stages of clinical research.

Erinn Todd, Ontario Land Trust Alliance

Erinn is OLTA’s Grant Administrator. She holds a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto, specializing in Conservation and Biodiversity. She also completed a BSc. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto. Before coming to OLTA, Erinn worked as the Operations Manager at Green Venture, managing residential energy efficiency programs, bookkeeping, and their demonstration EcoHouse.

Coco Love Alcorn

Recently awarded the 2021 Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Contemporary Singer Of The Year, Coco Love Alcorn combines diverse musical influences including jazz, R&B, pop, folk, and Gospel. Her love of improvising, and willingness to engage fearlessly with the audience has made Alcorn an established presence on the Canadian music scene. Alcorn’s career has spanned more than 25 years, 9 solo albums, cross-Canada tours, collaborations, festival appearances, award nominations. Coco also leads the Wonderland Singers, an online community choir and creative singing workshop series with over 200 regular members from around the world.

Kerry-Ann Charles, Cambium Indigenous Professional Services

Kerry-Ann Charles is a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. She’s been a Team member of Cambium Indigenous Professional Services (CIPS) since 2017 as the Environment Partnership Co-ordinator. She has worked on by-law development, implementation and enforcement, waste management, housing and various environmental projects including the development, co-ordination and management of such, including the development of community climate change adaptation and implementation plans not only for her community but other First Nation as well. Kerry-Ann has gained International recognition and has been asked to speak across Canada, in the US and Mexico in the area of Indigenous perspectives on environmental initiatives.

Dan Kraus, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada

Dan is the Director of National Conservation for the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada). He supports and manages WCS Canada’s portfolio of national initiatives including Key Biodiversity Areas, One Health, biodiversity policy and natural climate solutions. Prior to WCS Canada, Dan worked for the Nature Conservancy of Canada for over 18 years. He has authored reports on topics ranging from Great Lakes islands to freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas to natural capital. Most recently he led an initiative to develop Canada’s first list of nationally endemic wildlife and published papers on Canada’s “crisis” ecoregions and approaches to endangered species recovery. Dan is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group, and the Committee on Species at Risk in Ontario.

Janet Sumner, Wildlands League

Janet has more than 25 years’ experience as an environmentalist. She has been the Executive Director of Wildlands League since2003. In 2017, Janet was appointed co-chair of the National Advisory Panel (NAP) with a mandate to provide recommendations on how Canada can meet the Aichi Target 11, protecting 17%terrestrial lands and inland waters in Canada. Janet has led the Wildlands League team in the achievement of substantial legislative reforms in Ontario and federally, notably, for Ontario a new Provincial Protected Areas and Conservation Reserves Act (2007);Mining Act (2009) Reform; Far North Act (2010); and; federally, amendments to the Rouge National Urban Park Act (2017). Janet is an expert negotiator, strategist and communicator with considerable policy reform experience.

Gary Pritchard, 4 Directions of Conservation Consulting Services

Gary Pritchard ~Giniw (Golden Eagle) is a Conservation Ecologist & Indigenous Engagement/Placemaking Specialist from Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario. Gary has had the privilege to work on behalf of Indigenous peoples throughout Ontario and Canada. He has brought a wealth of knowledge to both his Indigenous and non-Indigenous cliental performing a wide variety of services including: Indigenous Community Planning, land-use/traditional knowledge studies, Indigenous lead conservation and restoration, Ecological Monitoring using Two-eyed Seeing, Indigenous Place-making, capacity building, expert testimony, mediation between western science and traditional science and subject matter expert on behalf of Indigenous communities. One of Gary’s greatest strength is that he is often able to act as the bridge between the Indigenous Community and the western style of governance.

Kathryn Gold (formerly Enders), Ontario Farmland Trust

Kathryn Gold is the Executive Director of the Ontario Farmland Trust. She completed a Masters of Environmental Studies degree from the University of Waterloo and a Certificate in Management and Leadership at Laurier University. Prior to her role at the Trust, she spent eight years working for Green Venture in Hamilton, a not-for-profit organization that teaches others how to live more sustainably every day. She is currently on the Board of Governors of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance. Kathryn believes that protecting farmland is one of the most important and pressing environmental issues of our time, and she is excited to be part of the land trust movement.

Liv Callo, Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy

Liv Callo is the Conservation Coordinator at EBC. For the last 2 years, Liv has conducted research into protected areas and species at risk in EBC Nature Reserves which are located along Southern and Northern Ontario. She has developed relationships with key stakeholders including consultants, landowners and other conservation organizations to monitor, understand and emphasize the biodiversity value in EBC land. Liv obtained a master’s degree in Environmental Science at University of Toronto (2019) specializing in Biophysical Interactions in Terrestrial and Aquatic System with focus in Climate Change Adaptation. Back home, she got a BSc in Environmental Engineering (Peru, 2011).

Justin Kestler, Kestler Wildlife

Justin Kestler is a wildlife technician and outdoor educator. He graduated from Sault College’s School of Natural Environment and earned a communications degree from the University of Toronto. He’s been involved in various wildlife monitoring projects and worked as a field technician for Natural Resources Canada, McMaster University and the University of Alberta. His first identification field guide, The Hair Scale Identification Guide to the Terrestrial Mammalian Carnivores of Canada will be released with Pelagic Publishing in 2022.

Brittney Vezina, Ontario Nature

Brittney Vezina coordinates Ontario Nature’s Community Science Program, including projects such as the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas and the Long-term Monitoring Protocol (LTMP) for Ontario’s Snakes. She has been facilitating long-term data collection on Ontario’s snakes since 2019 in collaboration with multiple partners across the province, including provincial and national parks, conservation authorities, land trusts, research stations and private landowners. She also leads data collection for a prescribed burn research project using the LTMP in Norfolk County. She holds a B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Guelph and an M.Sc. in Conservation Biology from the University of Kent.

Stan Kozak, Gosling Foundation

Stan Kozak is Executive Director with the Gosling Foundation.  For the last six years he has been working within the nature sector to enhance capacity through the foundation’s Better Organizations for Nature project.

Renata Woodward, Renata Woodward Consulting

Renata has worked 12 years of working in private land conservation and currently practices as independent  consultant to help charitable organizations with operational and cultural changes such as implementation of engagement organizing.

Jake Tibbles, Thousand Islands Land Trust

Jake Tibbles has worked for over 15 years to conserve and manage some of the most treasured landscapes in the Thousand Islands & St. Lawrence River Valley region.  Appointed Executive Director of the Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) in 2012, he has overseen TILT’s Renewal of Accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission, and TILT’s growth in conserved lands, educational programming and staffing.  Jake has presented at both the Land Trust Alliance National Land Conservation Conference and at the New York Land Conservation Summit.

A native of Northern New York, Jake has a life-long passion for the outdoors and a keen appreciation for the importance of the greater St. Lawrence River Valley.  This appreciation has led to his co-ownership in Green Meadow Consulting, which provides capacity support to nonprofits, specializing in the development of baseline documentation reports and land management plans for land trusts.

Jamie Joudrey, Ontario Heritage Trust

Jamie Joudrey is a natural heritage coordinator at the Ontario Heritage Trust, managing a portfolio of 84 properties across Ontario. The properties are protected through a mix of fee-simple Trust ownership and by Conservation Easement Agreements, giving her a breadth of understanding and experience working with landowners and property stewards. Before joining the Trust in 2017, Jamie worked at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change as a policy advisor in the Climate Change Directorate for several years. She also worked as a consultant undertaking bioenergy research with international partners such as the International Energy Agency and Environmental Defense Fund. She has a Master of Forest Conservation degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bishops University. Jamie is originally from Nova Scotia but has called Toronto home since 2010.

Lisa McLaughlin, Nature Conservancy of Canada

Over 20 years of progressive leadership within the not-for-profit sector with core expertise in: implementing and managing voluntary, conservation solutions with private landowners and all levels of governments, fundraising, policy and program development and strategic planning. Specific areas of expertise include the application of private land conservation tools, conservation management planning and land stewardship. Significant success in negotiations, conflict resolution and sound decision making when initiating, executing and evaluating programs that meet the needs of donors, stakeholders, funders, citizens and internal partners.

Toby Rowland, The Couchiching Conservancy

Toby Rowland is the Citizen science field coordinator for The Couchiching Conservancy. He has a BSc and diploma in ecological restoration. Toby has worked in Guyana, South America, monitoring for mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. He also has experience surveying for bicknells thrush on the east coast with Birds Canada, and has tracked blandings turtles with the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre. Toby is a wildlife photographer who enjoys getting outside everyday to capture nature.

Robin Roth, University of Guelph

Robin is the principal investigator and member of the leadership circle for the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership. She and her students conduct community-based and ethical research on the impacts of colonial conservation practices and in support of Indigenous-led conservation. She is a Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Guelph and coordinates the Master of Conservation Leadership program.

Ian Attridge, Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership 

Ian Attridge is a settler living in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough), Michi Saagiig Anishnaabe territory. As an Associate at Trent University, ecologist and lawyer,  he practices and teaches environmental and non-profit law and has authored numerous publications and policy submissions. Ian has advised diverse land holders, land trusts and governments at all levels, including the Ontario Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment.  Over a 35 year career, Ian has played key roles in developing and applying the legal framework for creative land securement, related tax incentives, protected areas and trails in Ontario. He co-chairs the Indigenous Land Trust Circle of the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership and is part of Indigenous ally groups. He is most at home on the land and waters of the Kawarthas, fostering community.  

Connie Manes, Land Trust Alliance / Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative / Kent Land Trust

Connie Manes lives in Kent, Connecticut and provides organizational consulting services to nonprofit conservation organizations throughout the northeast, with a focus on Land Trust Standards & Practices and Land Trust Accreditation. She is the Executive Director of the accredited Kent Land Trust, and the Director of the Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative, a Regional Conservation Partnership of 34 land trusts in northwest Connecticut. Since 2013, she has also served as a Circuit Rider for the Land Trust Alliance, providing direct assistance to small and all-volunteer land trusts.  Connie holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Pace University and a Juris Doctorate from New York University School of Law. She chairs Kent’s Conservation Commission. In her free time, she can be found at the hockey rink with her sons, running or hiking, or searching for critters in local streams.

Ross Fraser, Cade Associates Insurance Brokers Limited

Ross began his career working for Wilfrid Laurier University at their growing campus in Brantford, Ontario. Tasked with building local programming for student development, Ross’ primary focus was helping small student non-profit groups deliver big results to the communities they serviced. In 2012, Ross joined Cade Associates Insurance Brokers as a licensed broker with a specific focus on commercial liability insurance for the not-for-profit sector. With the benefit and pleasure of working with hundreds of non-profit organizations, including those participants in the OLTA Insurance program, Ross specializes in liability issues related to organizations acting to protect Ontario’s natural spaces. Ross spends his summer weekends dockside at his family’s cottage on Crane Lake and his winters enjoying the ski hills of Collingwood.

Megan Pagniello, The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq

Megan is of settler decent and lives and works in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded, traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Science and Environment, Sustainability and Society and a Masters degree in Resource and Environmental Management, both from Dalhousie University. Megan joined the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) project in April of 2020 as the Sespite’tmnej Kmitkinu Conservancy Coordinator, which is a shared position between Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife Commission and Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources. In her role, Megan is supporting the development and establishment of a Mi’kmaw-led land trust as one mechanism to support IPCA development in the province.

Thank you to our generous supporters of the 2021 OLTA Digital Gathering!