SPIRIT BEAR RESEARCH FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Alena's experience working with bears and communities in the Great Bear Rainforest started as a field technician on the Heiltsuk bear project in 2015. In the years since, Alena has worked together with coastal communities concerning bear stewardship, policy, protection from trophy hunting, science communication, and visual storytelling. She is a new addition to our team this year, bringing her passion for the coast and all of its residents!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Christina came to Klemtu with a strong academic background in Biology and Geography as well as previous field research experience working with many taxa and on the bear monitoring project in Bella Bella. Christina brought this knowledge and experience to Klemtu with a desire to collaborate with the community to address locally relevant research questions. In addition to leading the bear research program and serving as the Executive Director at Spirit Bear Research Foundation, Christina is also a staff scientist with Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and a PhD candidate with University of Victoria's Applied Conservation Science Lab.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
As the elected Chief Councillor and Resource Stewardship Director of the Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation, Douglas is intimately connected to the people and place in which we work. Douglas has extensive knowledge of the history of the area and traditional culture of the Kitasoo/Xai'xais people, in addition to over a decade of experience working as a bear guide and cultural interpreter in this area.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Member of the Board of Directors
Evan is a consultant with more than 20 years of experience in recreation and resource planning and development. He has worked in the Great Bear Rainforest since 2000 and has been an advocate for research to better inform management and decision making. Evan currently works with the Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation as a resource stewardship advisor. He has a deep passion and aptitude for the outdoors, wilderness conservation and stewardship, and business sustainability, as well as a keen interest and knowledge base in government policy and resource planning.
Jeremiah joins our research team for the first time this year and brings with him cheerful enthusiasm and curiosity about the territory. He picks up new skills quickly and is a valuable addition to our team.
Jonaki is an Ethnoecologist who focuses on cultural values in applied conservation and management practices around wildlife, protected areas, natural resources, and ecological systems. With SBRF, Jonaki shares her expertise in culturally appropriate research methods and participatory management frameworks that work with local and traditional knowledge.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Born and raised in Klemtu, Krista is a wealth of knowledge about her community and the lands surrounding it. Having worked with bears as a guide at Spirit Bear Lodge and as a field technician with Spirit Bear Research Foundation, Krista spends many days on the ground observing bears. Krista is passionate about conserving wildlife and the ecosystems that they rely upon for future generations, including her four children.
Marlie joins our team for the first time this year with two years of experience on the Heiltsuk bear research project, one of five projects that collect data in the same way. She also shares with our team her knowledge marine life and, importantly, knots!
Megan is an ecologist studying carnivore-salmon-human systems in coastal British Columbia and is the lead researcher on the Wuikinuxv Territory bear monitoring project in Rivers Inlet. Megan provides SBRF with valuable expertise in coastal ecological monitoring, salmon ecology, and approaches to community engagement in research and conservation.
We are thrilled to have Mercedes join our team this year as a youth intern. As a past intern with the SEAS (Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Youth) intern, Mercedes brings to the team knowledge and experience about the territory, Kitasoo/Xai'xais culture, photography, and much more.
We are grateful to Moose for always getting us safely where we need to go. He is happy to share his knowledge of the Territory and his experience on the water. We can also count on him to stump us with riddles and make us laugh!
Job Titles:
- Director of the Klemtu SEAS
Philip is the Director of the Klemtu SEAS (Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Stewards) program and helps us to engage these SEAS youth interns in Spirit Bear Research Foundation's research each summer. Trained as a biologist at the University of Cumbria, Philip is also a wealth of knowledge about remote cameras as a method for monitoring bear behaviour.
2017 marks Robbie's third year on our research team. He may still be in high school, but Robbie is an integral part of our team and has valuable skills and knowledge including bear safety, navigation, and research methods & sampling. He even knows how to drive the boat. Everyone looks forward to Robbie's reliable presence on the weekends.
Job Titles:
- Field Technician
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Operations Manager
After working as a field technician on the bear monitoring project in Bella Bella, Rosie joined our team in 2014. Competent both in the field and in the office, Rosie brings with her experience in database management, science communications, field research, and past research on trophy hunting, bear economies of BC, and bear behaviour via remote cameras.
Santana joins the team this year with experience researching Kitasoo/Xai'xais history, culture, and indigenous laws. She is bringing this knowledge alive for our whole crew as we travel to the places throughout the Territory she has spent so much time reading about in an office.
Tim has an extensive background in bear viewing and ecotourism, both in management and as a guide. In his current position as the general manager of Spirit Bear Lodge in Klemtu, Tim provides SBRF with valuable education and public outreach opportunities.
Vernon was instrumental to the creation of the Spirit Bear Research Foundation. He worked tirelessly to survey the study area extensively and determine the most appropriate location for sample sites. Vernon's local knowledge and experience as a wilderness bear guide proved invaluable for this process and continues to benefit SBRF. Vernon currently works for the Kitasoo Xai'Xais Integrated Resource Authority as a coordinator and a technical representative in the day to day activities of the territory
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Wayne is a veteran wildlife biologist and a Registered Professional Biologist with over 30 years of experience. In addition to studying bears for over 20 years (and producing over 50 technical reports and scientific papers), Wayne's work transcends biology and extends to advocating for the protection of bears and preservation of wilderness. He was the leader of the successful campaigns to save the Spirit Bear Protection Area, Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary and the Goat Range (White Grizzly) Park, and has been involved in numerous other campaigns, including in the Huchsduwachsdu Nuyem Jees (Kitlope Heritage Conservancy Protected Area). Wayne is also a founding director of the Valhalla Society and the current chair of the Valhalla Wilderness Society