Conference Program

Ray was born and raised in Saskatchewan near the family homestead in the Qu’Appelle Valley. In 1976, he moved to his present location in the Birdtail Valley adjacent to Riding Mountain National Park where he and his family run a commercial cow-calf and purebred operation. For Seventeen years, Ray and his family ran a commercial trail riding and pack trip operation in the Riding Mountain area. Ray worked as a PFRA pasture rider at Ellice-Archie between the Assiniboine and Qu’Aappelle Valleys and at Cote-San Clara, adjacent to the Duck Mountains. He is also a past president of the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve. Ray has been on the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association for three years. He is currently Vice-President, Chair of the Animal Health Committee, and sits on the APF, Quality Starts Here Committee, and the Environment Committees.

François Blouin was born and raised in the Eastern Townships of Québec. He obtained his MSc in Biology from Université du Québec in Montréal, his Graduate Diploma in Wildlife Management from University du Québec in Rimouski and his BSc. from Bishop’s University in Lennoxville. He made his way to the prairies in 1996 where he worked as the information manager for the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre. In 2001 he became a private consultant where he worked on several research and habitat stewardship projects relating to prairie species at risk in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. In 2005 he joined and co-managed the habitat stewardship program Operation Grassland Community in Alberta before becoming coordinator for the MULTISAR project with the Fish and Wildlife Division of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. He and his wife and two children live in windy Lethbridge, Alberta where they enjoy the proximity of the prairies and the mountains.

Bill Bristol is currently the wildlife conservationist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada based in the Prairies. Bill has a BSc from the University of Waterloo and a Diploma of Renewable Resources Technology from Kelsey Institute (now SIAST). In his 30 year work career he has worked for the Saskatchewan Research Council and Province of Saskatchewan doing fisheries field surveys in northern Saskatchewan. In addition he worked 12 years with Ducks Unlimited Canada in three SK offices doing wetland reconnaissance, habitat assessments, and manager for the Meadow Lake Field Office.

For the past 16 years he has worked for PFRA completing range condition assessments and wildlife surveys within the Community Pasture system across the Prairies. Bill has worked on as many as nine species at risk recovery teams including the black footed ferret, black tailed prairie dog and swift fox assisting with recovery strategies, building partnerships with other departments on species at risk implementation and resolving agricultural issues with species at risk management.

Ryan Brook is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Ecosystem and Public Health at the University of Calgary. He grew up on a small farm in southern Manitoba and did all of his university degrees at the University of Manitoba, studying wildlife-ecosystem-human interactions.

Ryan’s Master’s research was in and around Wapusk National Park in northern Manitoba, and he continues his studies on permafrost, vegetation, and landscape change. His PhD research examined elk movements and interactions with farmers and farmland around Riding Mountain National Park and his current research examines caribou and aboriginal community health in northern Canada. His primary research interest is in linking biological and social research to address natural resource management problems effectively.

Brenda Dale grew up in Saskatchewan and received her education (B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biology) there.  Her family had a half section of land that they farmed on weekends and holidays so she had the best aspects of both rural and urban life.  Her graduate research was on habitat selection of grassland birds and the response of birds to grazing.  After a decade of contracts for the government she joined Environment Canada/ Canadian Wildlife Service in 1992 and divides her effort between research (on the responses of grassland birds to agricultural, oil and gas, and management practices) and promoting and supporting volunteer monitoring programs.

Celes Davar owns and operates Earth Rhythms, Inc., with his wife Susan. It is an experiential travel company specializing in creating customized outdoor and travel experiences throughout Manitoba and Western Canada for individuals, groups, and corporate clients. This educationally focused learning adventures company is located on the south boundary of Riding Mountain National Park, the first and oldest national park in Manitoba.

Celes champions local conservation issues, partners with various conservation organizations, researchers, and local landowners, seeking new partnerships and ways to link environmental sustainability with best practices in experiential tourism.

Celes is sought out as a facilitator, presenter, and consultant to help communities and tourism operators integrate local culture and nature experiences into well-crafted experiences that exemplify the best of local community traditions.

Celes has had several assignments over a 21-career year previously with Parks Canada in Atlantic Canada (Gros Morne, PEI, Cape Breton and Halifax), and in various capacities at Riding Mountain National Park from 1979 – 1996.

Celes Davar is an award-winning nature photographer. He combines his photography with a strong speaking style, provoking thoughtful insights and discussions as part of keynote presentations about eco-system based travel experiences, and community collaboration. Above all, he inspires and engages travelers to make a difference in the destinations that they have traveled to, by educating them and creating an understanding of local issues.

Stephen received his MSc. in zoology at the University of Manitoba and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Regina. His research has focused on the ecology of northern mixed-grass passerines and factors influencing habitat selection and demography at varying spatial scales. He is currently employed as a wildlife biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service and is an adjunct professor with the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan.

Andrew Didiuk is a wildlife biologist with the Species at Risk Unit of the Canadian Wildlife Service in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  Andrew conducts conservation-oriented research programs on reptiles and amphibians in prairie Canada, and leads or participates in development of status reports, recovery strategies and management plans for these species.  He is a past western director of the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network, delivers the Saskatchewan Herpetology Atlas Project, and in the past has delivered the Saskatchewan Amphibian Monitoring Program.   Andrew also conducts monitoring and research programs for the prairie loggerhead shrike, and is the chair of the national recovery team for this species.

Melanie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Winnipeg in 1995 and a Masters of Natural Resources Management from the University of Manitoba’s Natural Resources Institute in 1999. She began working with the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation on a provincial riparian stewardship extension and education program from 2001-2005. Melanie worked for the department of Water Stewardship as a resource planner from 2005-2006 and has been employed with the Agri-Environmental Services Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, formally PFRA, since August 2006. Melanie is the national senior riparian and biodiversity specialist, based out of the Brandon Research Centre. She has an extensive background in wildlife biology, and the management of riparian ecosystems and Species at Risk in relation to agronomic practices. Melanie’s work focuses on applied research, establishing scientific and management mechanisms to ensure linkages between project activities and scientific conclusion within an interdisciplinary and inter-jurisdictional framework. She is involved in a variety of projects relating to riparian ecological assessments, and the evaluation of agronomic and other land use decisions on biodiversity. Melanie is also currently working with a multi-disciplinary team in Atlantic Canada on the development of a riparian health and management strategy for that region. She also sits on the steering committee for the Ecosystem Status and Trends Report project, assisting in the development of informational materials for decision makers and the general public.

Cynthia is the National Manager of Industry and Government Relations for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and has been with the company since January 2001. Cynthia received her MSc (1999) and BSc (1997) from the University of Saskatchewan (Agricultural Economics) where her graduate work focused on the development of a market for carbon offsets generated from tillage management practices. Cynthia’s agricultural background and her role at DUC give her a unique foundation to pursue her interest in the conservation of Canada’s natural capital and the viability of rural Canada.

Cynthia was raised on a grain farm near Dinsmore, Saskatchewan and now resides with her husband and daughter on their mixed grain and cattle operation near Nokomis, Saskatchewan.

Dr. Don Flaten is a professor in the Department of Soil Science at the U of M, where he specializes in soil fertility and nutrient management teaching and research. Don also serves on a variety of advisory committees for nutrient management and regulation, including the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board and the Manitoba Phosphorus Expert Committee, which report to the Provincial Departments of Water Stewardship and Conservation, respectively. Prior to joining the Department of Soil Science on a full-time basis, Don worked in the Faculty as Director of the School of Agriculture and as an Associate Dean. He has also worked as the Provincial Soils Specialist for Saskatchewan Agriculture and a District Agriculturist for Alberta Agriculture.

Dr. Bruce Ford is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba and curator of the University of Manitoba Herbarium. Bruce's primary research interest is the systematics of the genus Carex (Cyperaceae). However, over the past couple of years he has been working collaboratively with Dr. Anne Worley, University of Manitoba on the population genetics of the endangered orchid Cypripedium candidum and putative hybrids that are formed with C. parviflorum. 

Dr. Ford has published a number of scientific papers including species treatments for the Flora of North America and is co-editor of the book "Sedges Uses Diversity and Systematics of the Cyperaceae".  Bruce serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Flora of North America Project and is a past member of the vascular plant subcommittee of COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada).

Originally from Manitoba’s Interlake, Gene Fortney received his secondary education in Lethbridge, Alberta (Renewable Resource Management) and Winnipeg, Manitoba where he received a MSC in Entomology at the University of Manitoba. He has worked with Manitoba Geological Services, Manitoba Parks, the Critical Wildlife Habitat Program and the Canadian Wildlife Services. He began working for the Nature Conservancy of Canada in 1992 as NCC’s Securement Representative and the Manager of the Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve. Realizing the need to grow he opened the new Manitoba Office for NCC in 1994 becoming its first Regional Director. More recently and as the office grew he moved over to manage the securement and stewardship programs where he began prescribed fire and grazing programs on NCC lands in Manitoba.

Paulette is a member of the Blood Tribe (of the Blackfoot Confederacy). Born and raised on the Blood reserve in southern Alberta, she left home to attain her secondary (Kimberley, British Columbia) and post secondary education. Alumnus of the University of Calgary, Lethbridge and Manitoba, she began as a GIS technician for the tribe and is now Manager of the Environmental Protection Division, assisting the tribe as it assumes greater responsibility and authority in environmental matters.

Ms. Fox is a member of the inaugural council of the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Chapter of the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association. She volunteers in the community as a Funskate and powerskating coach as well as Lieutenant with the junior cadet program, the Coyotes. Inspiring and grounding her are her husband (Duane) and three children (Austin, Jaklyn, and Dallis).

Dr. Gord Goldsborough is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba, and the Director of the University’s Delta Marsh Field Station on Lake Manitoba. Prior to moving to the University in 1996, he worked for seven years at Brandon University and four years at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. He has also been employed as a Research Scientist by the Manitoba Department of Environment (now Manitoba Water Stewardship).

He specializes on studying the impacts of humans on the aquatic environment, water quality, and the ecology of plants and algae in wetlands and lakes. He has published articles in scientific journals and has contributed to three books. He is a member of the Society of Wetland Scientists. He is involved actively in water policy development, being Chair of the Lake Manitoba Stewardship Board, and a member of the Manitoba Water Council and the International Red River Board of the International Joint Commission.

Trish Hayes is currently Senior Science Advisor in the Ecosystem and Biodiversity Priorities Division of Environment Canada.  As one of a 4-member team, she serves as Secretariat for the Ecosystem Status and Trends Report for Canada. Her educational background includes a BSc in Biology from Queen’s University and a Masters of Environmental Studies from York University where she specialized in habitat conservation in environmental planning.  Originally from southern Ontario, Trish has spent the past 20 years in British Columbia.  Prior to joining the Ecosystem and Biodiversity Priorities Division 3 years ago, Trish worked for the Canadian Wildlife Service in Delta, BC first as a waterfowl and habitat biologist and then as Manager of the regional habitat conservation and then species at risk programs. 

Darcy C. Henderson is currently the Grassland Ecologist for Environment Canada, based in the Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre on the University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon. Darcy received a PhD and MSc in Renewable Resources from the University of Alberta, a BSc in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan, and a Diploma in Integrated Resource Management from SIAST in Prince Albert. Over the past 20 years Darcy has had technical, research, management and teaching experience in a broad variety of fields including wildlife, fisheries, forestry, agriculture, first nations, and protected areas in the Prairie Provinces. The past 4 years has focused on recovery planning for 15 plant species at risk, and contributing to environmental assessments and protected areas planning on the subjects of rangeland management, reclamation/restoration, and data management and analyses.

Geoff Holroyd was born in England and raised in Toronto. His interest in birds developed as a teenager when he was an active volunteer with the Long Point Bird Observatory. He earned his B.A. in Biology at the University of Western Ontario, and MSc and PhD from the University of Toronto for his studies of the foraging strategies and diet of swallows. In 1975, he moved to Banff and supervised Ecological Wildlife Inventories of Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Glacier and Mt Revelstoke National Parks. In 1983 he moved to Edmonton as the Head of the Threatened Wildlife Section of the Canadian Wildlife Service. He is currently a research scientist with Environment Canada studying endangered species, an adjunct professor in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta, and chairman of the Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team.

He has been president of several non-profit groups including the Long Point Bird Observatory, Bow Valley Naturalists, Edmonton Natural History Club and Beaverhill Bird Observatory. He has studied wildlife in many parts of Canada and overseas including bats in South Africa, Blue Swallows in Malawi, Burrowing Owls in Mexico, songbirds in Guatemala and owls in Ecuador. He co-authored the “Breeding Birds of Long Point”, “the Compact Guide to the Birds of the Rockies”, and “Landowners guide to Prairie Raptors. He wrote the 1999 and 2000 Canadian Birding Trivia Calendars. He has received several awards from local, provincial and national groups for his conservation efforts. He was chair of the Prairie Conservation Action Plan subcommittee that published the first PCAP. He organized the first Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Worksop, served on the organizing committee of several subsequent conferences, and coedited the proceedings of the first three prairie conservation workshops.

Deanna Kazina has worked with Bridging The Gap since 2007, as an interpreter and program manager. She has spent many years working with children from Winnipeg’s core neighbourhoods, teaching gardening and other environmental issues. She holds a deep passion for the environment and aims to impart this message to all students, helping to expand their understanding and environmental knowledge. She has spent two years studying at the University of Winnipeg and aims to hold a degree in Environmental Studies.

Dr. Nicola Koper is an assistant professor of terrestrial ecology at the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Manitoba. She completed her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in wildlife biology at the University of Guelph, and her Ph.D. in conservation biology at the University of Alberta. Her primary areas of research are in conservation of prairie and wetland birds, and in landscape ecology and biostatistics.

Marilyn managed the Human Nutrition Research Laboratories at the University of Manitoba for 35 years before retiring in 2004. She is a former president and long time member of the Manitoba Naturalists Society, now called Nature Manitoba, and has chaired the Society’s Habitat Conservation Committee since 1985. Marilyn has participated on a number of committees related to conservation and presently serves on the Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Management Committee, the Manitoba Endangered Species Advisory Committee and on the board of the Henteleff Park Foundation. Her interests in photography and botany, especially prairie, inspired her to develop workshops on identifying native plants, photography wildflowers and gardening with native species which she has presented to a variety of different organizations.

Matt McCandless’s work is primarily focused on sustainable agriculture, ecosystem goods and services, and water resources – often combining both policy and technical research. His current topics of interest include ecosystem goods and services valuation and optimization, life-cycle assessment of bioproducts, and climate change and water resources. He also observes regional climate change negotiations and has conducted research in the area of agricultural offsets.

Since joining IISD in 2006, Matt has been the lead researcher on projects involving water policy, hydrological analysis, greenhouse gas mitigation in agriculture, valuing environmental externalities generated by agricultural beneficial management practices, evaluating policies for enhancing ecosystem goods and services provision through agriculture, and providing support to the province of Manitoba during regional climate change negotiations. He has made several presentations of his work, as an expert witness and speaker.

Prior to joining IISD, Matt worked as a consulting engineer and managed projects on hydrology and water quality, conducted environmental assessments, designed wastewater treatment systems, and prepared environmental license applications. During his graduate research, Matt studied rural electrification with small hydro-electric projects in Indo-Tibetan tribal villages in the state of Uttarakhand, India. He is registered as a professional engineer in the province of Manitoba.

Wanda McFadyen is an experienced program manager and administrator who has spent many years working in the agricultural field in Manitoba.

Wanda is originally from the Swan River Valley and following the completion of her post-secondary education in business administration she worked in Saskatchewan for a number of years. 

Upon her return to Manitoba in the mid-90’s she assumed the position of Marketing/Office Manager with the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. In 1998 she moved to Winnipeg where she worked as the Executive Director with the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association for five years. 

In 2003 she was approached to undertake the task to coordinate and develop the board, staff structure, program and program delivery of the environmental farm planning program in Manitoba. 
This association became the Farm Stewardship Association of Manitoba and they actively delivered the environmental farm plan program until July 2009 when the program was moved into a government department.

Following that she established her own consulting firm and currently has contracts with the Rural Development Institute of Brandon University and Manitoba Farm Animal Council.

Stephane joined the Department of Environment and Geography in 2003, having previously been cross-appointed in the Environmental Science Program and Department of Botany. His teaching and research focus on the interface between the biological and social sciences, and his research group at the Environmental Conservation Lab is particularly interested in community centered and action research across western North America, Europe, and Asia. A broad range of research approaches are used to achieve these project outcomes including vegetation and seed bank sampling, GIS, mail-out questionnaires, individual and group interviews, participatory mapping, and participatory video. He and graduate students in his lab actively collaborate with rural and Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders across North America and with researchers across Canada.

Sherry Nugent is the SARA Coordinator with DFO for the Prairies and Arctic Areas.  She assists the Habitat Management staff with aquatic species at risk issues and helps clarify the SARA and its relationship to the habitat referral review process.  Sherry also provides support to the public, industry partners, and other government agencies with issues pertaining to the Act and its relation to aquatic issues

Ms. Nugent has been working with the DFO Habitat Management Program in Alberta since 2002. In November 2008, she took on the role as the SARA Coordinator.  Prior to that, her role as fish habitat biologist consisted of working with proponents and completing environmental assessments for various development projects that can affect fish habitat; including numerous coal mining activities, pipeline installations, infrastructure developments, and other urban activities.   

Dr. Pamela Rutherford is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Brandon University. Her current research program focuses’ on conservation of prairie reptiles and amphibians, with specific emphasis on the northern prairie skink and the western hognose snake. Her research focus is on the impacts of habitat fragmentation on species’ distributions and genetic diversity. Dr Rutherford completed her Ph.D. at the University of Victoria studying habitat use and reproduction of the northern alligator lizard and western skink. Prior to coming to Brandon University, she worked with Dr Mark Forbes at Carleton University investigating amphibian disease.

Don and his wife Marie farm near Killam, in east central Alberta. They are third generation farmers on the land that Don’s grandparents settled in 1909. In 1996, influenced by a course in Holistic Management, they changed from a conventional model of farming to a grass based, certified organic niche market model. This way of farming is more agrarian in nature and has allowed them to become more familiar with the function and importance of the various ecosystems.

In 2001, Don joined a group of like minded individuals to form the Iron Creek Watershed Improvement Society, whose goal is to create an awareness of the impact that we all have on the watershed. This learning experience stressed the importance of stewardship and has brought about changes on their farm that they never dreamed were possible. Sound conservation practices are helping to promote as well as maintain a variety of biodiversity on their farm. The bottom line is that it has made them realize how important it is to respect and work with nature in the day to day practice of farming.

Nancy Sather (MS Ecology, MFA Creative Writing), has been an ecologist with the Minnesota DNR for over 20 years. In this capacity she has participated in Minnesota County Biological Surveys in three northwestern Minnesota counties and has served as the U.S. Recovery Team Leader for the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid. She is one of a team of writers in the MN DNR’s present publication project, an overview of the ecology of Minnesota’s Red River Valley and Tallgrass Aspen Parkland. Outside the DNR, she is a free lance creative writer and adjunct instructor of natural history, environmental studies and ethnobotany at Metropolitan State University. Her presentation is informed by an ongoing compilation of a popular anthology of historic accounts of Minnesota’s prairie landscape. The latter independent research project has been supported, in part, by a Jerome Residency at the Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Red Wing, Minnesota and a Bremer Fellowship at the Center for Rural and Regional Studies at Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, Minnesota.

Dr. David Sauchyn is Professor of Geography and Research Coordinator at the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative (PARC) at the University of Regina. Dave’s main research interests are the climate and hydrology of the past millennium in Canada’s western interior and how knowledge of the past can inform scenarios of future climate and water supplies. He is Director of the University of Regina Tree-Ring Laboratory; Dave and his students have collected old wood from across the western boreal and montane forests for the reconstruction of western Canada’s climate and hydrology. Dave is a co-investigator in a five-year multi-disciplinary study of adaptation to climate change in northern Chile and the Canadian plains. He participated in the expert review of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and was a lead author of the Canada’s National Assessment of Climate Change released in March 2008. Dave has been an invited expert witness on climate change in the Canadian Senate and House of Commons, and at forums hosted by provincial premiers and environment ministers.

Education: B.Sc. (Alberta), M.A. (Colorado), Ph.D. (Waterloo)

Joe Schmutz earned a Ph.D. in ecology from Queen’s University at Kingston in 1981. He’s been active as an environmental consultant, a university professor and conservation planner. Currently, he runs a small consulting firm and teaches part-time in the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan. As a member of the Board of the Saskatchewan Environmental Society he attempts to tackle the ‘big drivers’ of environmental change, such as our practices related to energy and water in western Canada. Joe, his wife and their eight dogs live in a sand-hill complex outside of Saskatoon.

Dr. Brad Stelfox established Forem Technologies and the ALCES Group in 1995 and is the architect and developer of the ALCES model. He is an adjunct professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, and the Department of Environmental Design, University of Calgary. Brad's research and teachings focus on the interface between human landuses and regional landscapes. The major development stream of Forem has been ALCES (A Landscape Cumulative Effects Simulator), a program gaining rapid acceptance by governments, industry, the scientific community, and NGO's to explore issues between landscapes, landuses (agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, mining, human populations, tourism, and transportation sectors), and ecological and economic integrity. Dr. Stelfox has received the Alberta Emerald Foundation Award (2004) and the Alberta Science and Technology Award (2003) for his contributions with the ALCES model in advancing understanding of landuse sustainability issues and in seeking solutions that balance economic, social, and ecological indicators.

Brad and his wife Sarah live west of Calgary near Bragg Creek with their three children. When Brad is not working on the ALCES model or guest lecturing on landuse issues, he is likely on horseback exploring the mountains trails of Alberta's east slopes.

Peggy is the Manager of Environment for the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, a position she has held for 19 years.

She grew up in the dryland country of east central Alberta on a mixed cattle and grain farm her family has owned for three generations. Peggy obtained her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology, specializing in the identification of aquatic insect larvae. She worked in oil and gas for a few years and then headed back to school in the communications/public relations field. She’s currently pursuing a Masters in the Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary.

Natalie brings a diverse range of skills, knowledge and perspectives to the Global Connectivity Team. She has an academic background in Environmental Science, Geography and Education, and experience working as an environmental educator, ecologist, project manager, and teacher. She has worked in three levels of government as well as with several non-profit organizations. As a part-time graduate student, she is also presently pursuing research in the area of indigenous knowledge in non-formal environmental learning.

Joanne is the Species at Risk Coordinator for Parks Canada in the prairies and the north.  She has been with Parks Canada since 2000 and enjoys the variety of challenges that she tackles, including;

• teaching legislation and Species at Risk Act law enforcement to park staff;
•  educating the public, aboriginal groups and stakeholders about the Species at Risk Act;
• reviewing proposals and recommending funding for the Habitat Stewardship Program, Interdepartmental Recovery Fund,  and SAR Aboriginal Funds;
• co-chairing the Black-footed Ferret/Black-tailed Prairie Dog Recovery Team;
• assisting in recovery planning for the Greater Sage-Grouse, Greater Short-horned Lizard, Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer, Mormon Metalmark and Swift Fox; and
• helping to develop policy and guidelines regarding the implementation of the Species at Risk Act.

Currently her recovery planning focus is on Grasslands National Park and the surrounding area in south west Saskatchewan and her education focus is on communities in Nunavut within the Nunavut Settlement Area in which the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement applies.  Joanne spends her free time birdwatching, travelling around the world and relaxing in the summers at the family cottage.

Dr. Henry David Venema directs IISD's Sustainable Natural Resources Management Programme, which has a thematic focus on water and agricultural issues in Western Canada. Dr. Venema is a professional engineer and natural resource management consultant with extensive experience in rural development, environmental economics, water resources planning, and energy sector planning in North America, Africa, and Asia. Dr. Venema leads IISD's current research on the Valuation of Natural Capital in Prairie Canada, Institutional Linkages between Payments for Ecosystem Services and Integrated Water Resources Management in Prairie Watersheds, and Governance Models for Lake Winnipeg Stewardship. Dr. Venema is also the principal investigator of the NRCan-funded project, Adaptation as Resilience Building: A policy study of climate change vulnerability and adaptation on the Canadian Prairies and co-directs the IDRC-funded project, Adaptive Policy-making for Agriculture and Water Resources in the Face of Climate Change. Other relevant Canadian project experience includes leading the first ever valuation of The Full Costs of Thermal Power in Eastern Canada, based on source-receptor modeling and health and climate externalities. Dr. Venema's PhD research concerns landscape-based systems models for integrated rural development and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Dr. Venema's field experience includes lengthy assignments with Environnment et Development Action (ENDA) in Senegal, and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in India. Dr. Venema has also lived and worked in Sweden and Ethiopia on research and consulting assignments.

Richard Westwood is an associate professor in the Depts. of Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Winnipeg and Acting Director of the Environmental Studies Program. In the past Dr. Westwood was with the Manitoba Conservation as head of the Forest Health and Ecology unit and also as Director of the Forestry Branch. Prior to this Richard was a research scientist with Dow AgriSciences working in Canada and the United States on development of biological control methods for insect pests in forests and agriculture. At the University of Winnipeg, Richard is also a  member of the Center for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (CFIR) and teaches various courses environmental impact assessment, forest health and protection, urban forestry, research methods and design, entomology and forest policy and management. His research interests include the effects of forestry activities on forest plant and arthropod diversity, impact of forest pest control on non-target organisms, impact of climate change on forest arthropods, insect pollination biology of prairie and forest plants and conservation of endangered plants and Lepidoptera. Richard is co-author of the Butterflies of Manitoba and currently working on a sequel, The Moths of Manitoba.

Grant obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the University of Winnipeg in 2001 and a Masters of Science degree from the University of Manitoba in 2007. He began his career with the Manitoba Remote Sensing Centre of Manitoba Conservation working on a Canadian Forest Service land sue\land cover mapping project from 2004-2006. Grant has been employed with the Agri-Environmental Services Brach of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, formally PFRA, since January 2006 and is currently working as a Remote Sensing Analyst for the Manitoba Region. Grant’s earth observation work is focused on developing new geomatic techniques for sustainable agriculture in collaboration with AAFC’s Research Branch and the Canadian Space Agency. He possesses an extensive background in geomatics having worked on a variety of regional, national and international projects with the Canadian International Development Agency in Indonesia, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Paraguay. He also holds a research associate position with the Centre for Earth Observation Science of the University of Manitoba and has been president of the Manitoba GIS Users Group since 2008.

Dr. Anne Worley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at University of Manitoba.  Her current research is on reproductive biology and conservation genetics of plants.   She is studying the causes and consequences of hybridization between the endangered small white lady’s slipper orchid and the more common yellow lady’s slipper orchid in tall grass prairie remnants.  This work is in collaboration with Dr. Bruce Ford, University of Manitoba.  She is also a member of the Canadian Pollination Initiative, and is surveying plant and pollinator diversity in the tall grass prairie in collaboration with Dr. Richard Westwood, University of Winnipeg.  Finally, she is studying floral form, pollen movement, and pollinator shifts in the genus Polemonium (Jacob’s ladder).  Dr. Worley completed her BSc in Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria, her MSc in Ecology at the University of Calgary, and her PhD in Botany at the University of Toronto.

David Young was born and raised on a farm near Birtle Manitoba, the great grandson of an early homesteader. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba (B.A.) and the University of Michigan (M.S.) specializing in conservation and natural resource management.

David was employed by the Province of Manitoba for 11 years (1957-68) in the Department of Industry Commerce, the Department of Mines and Natural Resources and the Office of the Premier. From 1968 to 1999 he worked as a natural resource management consultant to agencies of provincial governments, municipal governments, and the Government of Canada, and to clients in the private sector, and to First Nations. Projects included agriculture, oil and gas development, hydro electric development, urban land management, parks development, and wildlife management. Much of his work involved assessment of the social and economic impacts of natural resource development projects and strategies.

David was instrumental in creating the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Manitoba, and served there as an adjunct professor of natural Resources management from 1969 to 1995.

Since retiring in 1999 he has remained active in resource management issues. He created and operated a native plant nursery for several years, and continues to experiment with the horticulture of native plants and remains active with local agencies in matters of water resource management and land use issues.