Board of Governors

Ian Attridge - Chair

Lawyer (Barrister and Solicitor), and Instructor and Associate at Trent University, School of the Environment

Ian Attridge, Campbell Clan, is a settler living in Peterborough (Nogojiwanong), Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg territory. As an ecologist and lawyer, he practices and teaches environmental, non-profit, planning and trails law and has authored numerous publications and policy submissions. Ian has led the development of the legal framework for land securement and related tax incentives in Ontario. Over his 35 year career, his work has directly protected over 18,000 acres of private and public lands and helped form or update more than 20 organizations, including the Kawartha Land Trust. He was formerly Vice-Chair of OLTA’s predecessor, the Ontario Nature Trust Alliance, and Chair of Government Relations. He continues to learn from Indigenous people and others, and enjoys outdoors activities, singing, and fostering community.

Caroline Schultz - Past Chair

Executive Director, Ontario Nature

Caroline Schultz has been the Executive Director for Ontario Nature since 2005. Caroline previously served as Conservation Director for the Canadian Nature Federation for 10 years, leading their national advocacy, science and stewardship programs. She was also chair of Bird Life International’s America regional council, in helping this partnership of national non-government organizations (NGOs) from over 17 countries advance biodiversity conservation throughout the region. Caroline has a Masters of Science degree in ecology and a Masters of Management degree in voluntary sector leadership. Caroline has been involved in land securement and stewardship as a volunteer, and with Ontario Nature, as their Executive Director.

Beth Gilhespy - Treasurer

Chief Executive Officer, Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy

Beth Gilhespy has been a conservation professional for over 30 years.  In March 2024 she became CEO of the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy, an organization dedicated to land preservation. Prior to that she was Executive Director of the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy from 2019 to 2024, an organization that secures funds for Toronto Zoo endangered species conservation programs. Between 2004 and 2018 Beth was Chief Executive Officer of the Bruce Trail Conservancy, where she oversaw the preservation of more than 6,500 acres of land along the Niagara Escarpment. Beth also served on the Niagara Escarpment Commission from 2017 to 2019. Prior to her work at the Bruce Trail Conservancy, Beth worked for 15 years as a consultant specializing in the environmental impact of toxic chemicals. She holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in physical geography and geology from the University of Guelph. She is an avid hiker, traveler, fossil collector and self-professed landscape fanatic, and when not enjoying her time on the land, is currently writing her second book on the geology of the Niagara Escarpment.

Kathryn Gold - Secretary

Chief Operating Officer, Swim Drink Fish

Kathryn Gold is the Chief Operating Officer of Swim Drink Fish, a charity that helps to protect our water resources and works towards creating a swimmable, drinkable, fishable future for all Canadians. Kathryn previously served as the Executive Director of the Ontario Farmland Trust for 6 years, protecting farmland and ecological features across Ontario. Kathryn is deeply committed to the conservation movement and has spent her entire career working for environmental not-for-profit organizations. Kathryn holds a Masters of Environmental Studies degree from the University of Waterloo and a Certificate in Management and Leadership from Laurier University. She has volunteered as a board member for Community CarShare and Green Communities Canada.

Joyce Chau - Governor

Senior Program Manager, Evergreen

Joyce is a senior leader who has been working in the non-profit environmental sector for the past 15 years. Joyce was the Executive Director of EcoSpark, an Ontario-based environmental charity, for eight years. In 2020, she joined Evergreen as a Senior Program Manager leading national programs that help make cities more liveable, green and prosperous. Joyce’s expertise lies in leading multi-stakeholder collaboratives, community-based monitoring, policy and governance, education and fundraising. Joyce has successfully led community education and citizen science monitoring programs across southern Ontario. She has been active in numerous environmental committees including the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance, Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network and the Southern Ontario Stream Monitoring and Research Team. Joyce graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science, Honours, in Biology. Joyce also is on the board of the Small Change Fund, a national charity focused on helping communities raise funds for environmental solutions, community engagement, and Indigenous reconciliation.

Jenna Siu - Governor

Biologist, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Jenna Siu is a biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service Branch of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Previously, she spent 5+ years at the Nature Conservancy of Canada as the Coordinator, Conservation Biology for the Greater Toronto Area. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Biology from Queen’s University and a research based Master’s of Science in Biology from Western University. Jenna developed a passion for the natural world primarily through her education and field experiences. She has worked with several species at risk and invasive species across Ontario. She has been involved with various land trusts in southern Ontario since 2013 as a volunteer, employee and board member.

Patricia Wilson - Governor

Founder, Diverse Nature Collective

Patricia Wilson is an environmentalist, community leader and social justice advocate who is passionate about diversifying the environmental field and advocates for proper representation and inclusivity in this sector. In 2021 Patricia founded Diverse Nature Collective (DNC) – a grassroots organization that works to empower, mobilize and create space for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour within the environmental movement and reduce barriers to racialized folks in accessing nature.

Through workshops, collaborative events and gatherings, Patricia creates BIPOC-centered spaces that help racialized folks gain confidence, build skills and connect with each other. She also works with academic institutions, environmental non-profits and other organizations to promote diversity,equity & inclusion practices within their work through an intersectional lense. Prior to her work with DNC, Patricia worked with Kawartha Land Trust ( KLT) for almost 6 years in a variety of roles but most recently as their Community Conservation and Outreach Coordinator. In 2020 she was the recipient of OLTA’s ‘Emerging Land Trust Leader’ award for her work on creating initiatives that promote diversity, equity & inclusion at KLT.

Patricia is now the Community Advocate & Outreach Coordinator for the Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough which centers her in anti-racism / decolonization education work and advocacy for BIPOC community members.

John Kintare - Governor

Executive Director, Kawartha Land Trust

John Kintare joined Kawartha Land Trust as its Executive Director in 2019. John has over a decade of non-profit management experience from across the country and brings a broad spectrum of experiences from organizations and communities large and small. A permaculture enthusiast, he is dedicated to integrating elements of complex systems to provide benefit both to the ecosystem and the humans who rely on it.

John holds an Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and is a devoted lifelong learner. John lives with his family in Bobcaygeon.

Daria Koscinski - Governor

Executive Director, Thames Talbot Land Trust

Daria is a passionate advocate for nature and for building collaborative programs to care for land and biodiversity. Daria joined Thames Talbot Land Trust in 2014 as the Conservation Property Manager and moved into the role of Executive Director in 2021. She has been actively involved in conservation and land stewardship in Ontario since 2000 through her education, work and volunteer experience with environmental groups. Daria received her BSc and MSc from Queen’s University and her PhD from Western University with a focus on ecology, population genetics and habitat fragmentation. She brings experience related to ecological conservation, land care, partnership development and non-profit management. Daria enjoys spending time in nature, seed collecting, gardening with native plants and sharing her passion for local biodiversity.

Terra Duchene - Governor

Municipal and Environmental Lawyer

Terra is a practicing municipal and environmental lawyer, and has been committed to caring and learning with the land and nature since a young age when she began growing food and composting. Terra completed her LL.M. with the University of California, Los Angeles, where she specialized in Public Interest Law and worked with the Food Law and Policy Clinic. Terra obtained her J.D. with Windsor Law, where she held positions including Editor-in-Chief for the Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues, president of the Environmental Law Society and Cycling Association of Windsor Law, and board member of the Campus Community Garden.  Terra enjoys foraging and fermenting, and is dedicated to stewardship of land through de-colonial practices, community partnerships that value and prioritize Indigenous ways of knowing, and fostering relationships with land through principles of reconciliation, respect, and reciprocity.

Samantha Whiteye - Governor

Community Consultant

Samantha Whiteye is a community leader from Eelūnapéewi Lahkéewiit. She is very passionate and dedicated to her work within Southern Ontario and the Indigenous Communities she actively serves. Samantha comes from grassroots immersed experiences which she utilizes her lived experience and understandings to create space, advocate and lead conversations centering on Truth and Reconciliation. Leading with an ethical two eyed seeing approach Samantha demonstrates leadership as a changemaker in the environmental sector.

Samantha is very knowledgeable and connected to her Lunaapeew/Lenape culture as she continuously weaves the medicine and teachings into her work and daily lifestyle. She is also passionate about ancestral seed sovereignty and hopes it helps build bridges back to identity for her people.

Over the past year Samantha has worked closely with Carolinian Canada Coalition and continues her work in a new role as Indigenous Leadership Director to help shift the narratives in conservation

Katie Akey - Governor

Legal Counsel for Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services

Katie Akey is former Coordinator for the Turtle Island Conservation Programme at the Toronto Zoo and is currently a practicing Indigenous child protection lawyer. As a non-Indigenous ally, she has dedicated both her conservation and legal career to supporting Indigenous communities throughout Ontario in their efforts to revitalize their relationships with land and community. After working in private practice law in Thunder Bay for several years, she recently returned to her home in the GTA where she practices as In-House Counsel for Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services.