SKEENA KNOWLEDGE TRUST - Key Persons
David de Wit is a Wet'suwet'en member of the Laksilyu Clan, belonging to the House on Top of Flat Rock (Tsekalbaiyex). David is the Natural Resources Department Manager for the Office of the Wet'suwet'en, representing the Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs' vision for their territories, working as one for the betterment of all. David studied Integrated Resource Management in British Columbia and completed a Biology Degree at the University of Calgary.
Job Titles:
- Resource Management and Systems Researcher With the BC Ministry of Environment
Don Morgan is a natural resource management and systems researcher with the BC Ministry of Environment. His main research area focuses on methods for describing and analyzing socio-ecological systems with an emphasis on wildlife habitat supply. He applies innovative methods to explore uncertainty, particularly the impact of climate change on ecological processes and its interaction with resource management decisions. He is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, and has a B.Sc. in wildlife biology and computational mathematics from Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario (1984), a B.Sc.(honours) from Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario in Quantitative Ecology and Computer Science (1991), and a M.Sc. in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies - Biology from the University of Northern British Columbia (2011).
Dr. Allison Oliver received her doctorate in Ecology from University of California, Davis, USA in 2013. She currently resides in Hazelton, BC and works for the Skeena Fisheries Commission as an Aquatic Ecologist. Her extensive scientific research, field work, and data analysis experience as an aquatic scientist is a great asset to the board of trustees and will help guide the SKT to ensure our community engagement activities are relevant and meaningful.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of SkeenaWild Conservation Trust
Greg Knox has been the Executive Director of SkeenaWild Conservation Trust since 2007. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Northern BC in 2000, after which he became a certified Fisheries Technician and Field Supervisor with Nisga'a Fisheries. In 2013, Greg completed a Master's degree in Environmental Management at Royal Roads University, where he developed a framework for implementing a collaborative freshwater salmon habitat-monitoring program in the Skeena watershed. Greg sits on the Northern Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission, is an advisor to the Pacific Salmon Watershed Fund, and a Steering Committee member of the Friends of Wild Salmon Coalition.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technical Team
- Consultant With Eclipse Geomatics
- SKT Coordinator
Johanna Pfalz has worked as a consultant with Eclipse Geomatics since 2006 providing geospatial and information management services across BC, Alberta and Canada. Her work has focused on ecological land classification, land use planning, land use monitoring, and environmental impact assessment, as well as documenting traditional knowledge for First Nations. Eclipse Geomatics has been involved with the formation and development of the Skeena Knowledge Trust since 2009. Our team at Eclipse Geomatics explores open-source tools to develop creative solutions to spatial problems and information management.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technical Team
- Eclipse Geomatics As a Technical Infrastructure Architect
- Technical Infrastructure Architect
Lizzy Hoffman works with Eclipse Geomatics as a Technical Infrastructure Architect, focusing on the Skeena Knowledge Trust project. Lizzy grew up in Victoria, British Columbia and completed a B.Sc. in Biology at the University of Victoria, followed by an M.Sc. in Land Reclamation and Remediation at the University of Alberta. There she studied the development of vegetation communities at reclaimed surface mine sites and became interested in using open source tools for data analysis and management. Following her Master's, Lizzy moved to Williams Lake where she taught at Thompson Rivers University, the College of New Caledonia and other institutions.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technical Team
- Project Coordinator
- Project Coordinator for Eclipse Geomatics
Manuela works as a Project Coordinator for Eclipse Geomatics, focusing on projects related to the Skeena Knowledge Trust. Born and raised in southern Germany and driven by her love for the environment, she completed a Bachelor's degree in Geography at LMU Munich, with an exchange year at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, followed by an international Master's degree in Global Change Ecology at the University of Bayreuth. As a passionate environmental scientist, she has engaged in various projects, conferences, and science schools related to climate change and environmental stewardship, including her own research publications. Manuela moved to Terrace, BC, in April 2022. She loves spending time outdoors in the beautiful, calming nature of northern BC, and pursues her passion for hiking, biking, skiing, and running. On a quiet day, she enjoys listening to music, baking, cooking, or reading a good novel.
Job Titles:
- Information Technician for Eclipse Geomatics
- Technical Infrastructure Architect
Reine is an Information Technician for Eclipse Geomatics and works on the technical side and web development of projects. She was born and raised in the Philippines and completed a B.Sc. in Information Technology focused on developing Web Applications. She moved to Smithers in 2017 with her family. Reine enjoys walking with her dog, cooking, photography, and reading books in her spare time.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technical Team
- Legal Advisor
Richard Overstall is a Smithers lawyer with a particular interest in administrative, environmental and land use law. Prior to practicing law, Richard worked as a mining geologist, then as a researcher for a number of public-interest and aboriginal organisations, including as expert evidence coordinator for the aboriginal plaintiffs in the Delgamuukw title trial. Richard has published and presented in a number of legal research areas, including aboriginal law and history, criminal evidence, human rights, and monitoring trusts.
Originally from Montreal, William Elliott has lived, worked, and played in the Skeena Watershed at various intervals since 1975. William studied Forest Technology at Selkirk College, Wildlife Ecology and Resource Management at the University of Northern British Columbia, and Geographic Information Systems Technology at the College of New Caledonia. William is a former silviculture consultant, researcher, spatial analyst and data manager. He currently works as an Advisor in Indigenous Relations with the BC Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development in Smithers, BC. William is the Regional Director for the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists.