Meet Our Awesome Team

Alberta

Tansi (Hello)! I am a Youth Engagement Coordinator for the Alberta region with Canadian Council on Invasive Species (CCIS). I am born and raised in Calgary, on the unceded territories south of Alberta surrounding treaties (7). I am a Cree Indigenous woman who has many years experience working with youth of all different backgrounds. My major is in sociology, and I have a minor in environmental humanities. So, that means I love working with people and am passionate about preserving the land and ecosystems.

Manitoba

I am honored to be the new Youth Engagement Coordinator for Manitoba. I have years of experience as a political and environmental researcher and activist. Let me share my skills with you.

I’m here to help connect everybody with the not-so-outside world. Because knowledge is power, I also work to expand collective and individual knowledge. I know how we affect our surroundings—and how they affect us. I’ve seen negative effects on biodiversity in Canada and Grenada.

I want everybody to be welcome and to feel welcome in the Youth Nature Keepers Network. Problems with our ecosystems come from similar places to problems with our social relations. We treat certain people and the broader web of life as if they were less important than other people. I will be part of the change we must see in the world.

New Brunswick

I’m so excited to be the Youth Engagement Coordinator for Youth Nature Keepers in New Brunswick! I’m originally from London, Ontario but love travel/adventure, so the opportunity to move to the East Coast and connect with like-minded individuals, was right up my alley.

My whole life, the outdoors, wildlife and the natural environment has been my passion. I’ve grown up in nature, with my twin brother in the forest behind our house, went to University for Biology (go Mustangs), worked on climate research in the most beautiful wetlands, protected endangered wildlife, and am now so privileged to be able to give back and help preserve our natural environment for a living.

I can’t wait to foster and encourage that same passion in other young Canadians and help them feel that same sense of empowerment and pride, when you truly make a difference within your community.

Ontario

Born and raised in Ontario, Emily is passionate about Ontario’s unique biodiversity and ecology. As an environmental educator, Emily is excited to connect youth and community members with nature and develop youth-led programming across the province.

As an educator and lifelong learner, Emily believes that personal development and a commitment to learning are vital to developing an inclusive learning community. She is excited to collaborate with community members and create meaningful learning opportunities for youth.

Emily’s interests include bird watching, balcony gardening, learning about wildlife across the globe, and photography.

Ontario

Allô/Hey! I’m thrilled to join Youth Nature Keepers in Ontario as a coordinator! Together, we can make a difference for our environment in many ways, right within our communities. I’m excited to help you on your journey!

I’m based in London but have roots in Aurora and Tiny. I create spaces for people to learn about nature through natural inquiry and place-based initiatives. Neighbourhood stewardship is a powerful way to address global issues.

As an ecosystem restoration practitioner, I have planted over 700,000 trees, grasses, and shrubs across Canada. I’ve also overseen reforestation projects that have planted over 10 million trees. I’ve led research and advocacy campaigns on various environmental issues, ranging from endangered species and forests to freshwater and oceans.

My experiences have taught me that positive change can begin with a small group of dedicated people. I’m looking forward to connecting with all of you as we work together to imagine greener futures!

Prince Edward Island

I’m thrilled to kick off a new chapter as the Youth Engagement Coordinator with the Canadian Council on Invasive Species in beautiful Prince Edward Island. With a background deeply rooted in delivering exceptional customer service, I’m all about making connections.

My journey has led me to a profound passion for promoting inclusivity, and I’m excited to channel that energy into my role. My goal? To create an engaging space that brings youth together in an exciting way to learn about Invasive Species and how we can effectively manage them. Through my customer service experience, I’ve learned the importance of making everyone feel welcome, and I’m committed to translating that into meaningful interactions within the realm of environmental education. I’m all about sparking curiosity and empowering the next generation to take action.

Join me on this adventure as I combine my skills, passion for conservation, and knack for inclusivity to shape a future where young minds are informed, engaged, and inspired to make a real difference.

Saskatchewan

I’m from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and have a degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of British Columbia. In my day to day life, I find a lot of joy in caring for my many houseplants, gardening, taking nature walks by the river, and cross-country skiing. I tend to spend a lot of time in nature. Specifically, in the grasslands of southern Saskatchewan and the boreal forest in the North. These natural ecosystems are incredibly important for humans as well as native flora and fauna. Unfortunately, they are under threat from invasive species like Leafy Spurge, Oxeye Daisy, and Flowering Rush.

In my current position as a Project Technician for the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, I come across a lot of invasives, therefore I am excited to be working in conjunction with the Canadian Council on Invasive Species’ Youth Nature Keepers program, as it combines my passions for environmental conservation and invasive species advocacy.