Birds Canada Leadership Team

Protecting the beauty and diversity of life on Earth – that’s the mission that has underpinned my entire adult life thus far, and it’s what fuels my enthusiasm for the role of President at Birds Canada. A biologist by training, I have a boundless fascination with animal behaviour (including migrations of course), and have had the great privilege of leading environmental non-profits for over a decade.

Not a day goes by where I’m not reminded that North America has lost one in four birds since 1970 – three billion birds. My pledge to you is to work tirelessly to stop that catastrophe in its tracks.

I grew up exploring the shores of Lake Huron on the beautiful Bruce Peninsula in Ontario. My experience in the charitable sector began 20 years ago while coordinating school-based wildlife education programs in South Florida. During this time, I was grateful to work with hundreds of different wildlife species and with thousands of youth. Later, while working as a director at a wildlife hospital, I discovered I could help our environment the most by helping to raise much-needed funding. I joined Birds Canada in 2012 and everyday I am inspired by our dedicated supporters and my expert colleagues. I now also have the great joy of introducing my son to the birds we see and hear around us.

Jody is an avid birder and naturalist who enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world. He is the Director of Citizen Science and Community Engagement at Birds Canada where he is the co-editor of BirdWatch Canada Magazine and the Coordinator of eBird Canada. Jody delivers various science-focused education and outreach programs to audiences across Canada. He has banded Northern Saw-whet Owls on CBC’s Rick Mercer Report, spoken about Canada Jays at Ideacity, has appeared on the American Birding Association podcast and has written numerous articles on birds, birding and connecting with nature. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram at @JodyAllair.

Some of my fondest birding memories come from early days spent Christmas Bird Counting around my hometown of Calgary, Alberta.

Those early Christmas Bird Count (CBC) experiences continued later as I moved around British Columbia and Ontario. In fact, the CBC is such an infectious tradition, that it’s part of the reason I got into birds in the first place. Sure, CBCs are fun, but they are also a valuable tool. Counts conducted by Citizen Scientists contribute to a 120-year-old data set, and results are used to monitor trends in population sizes of birds, which can indicate overall environmental health. The perennial devotion of thousands of CBC volunteers, who brave often unforgiving conditions, is truly inspirational, and is the reason I’m certain that birds and the natural world are important to Canadians.

Coming from the world of post-secondary recruitment, I am thrilled to be involved with the coordination and evolution of the Toronto Bird Celebration. It is exciting to be working with a team that is passionate about urban natural environments, and making connections with wildlife accessible for all. My lifelong appreciation of the natural world stems from summers spent visiting family on – and exploring the shorelines of – Cape Breton Island, and the Ontario provincial park trips in my youth.

When I’m not watching the feeder outside my office window you can find me reading, running a small baking business, going to galleries, and enjoying seasonal outdoor activities including: skating, snowshoeing, swimming, and camping.

While I’ve worked in fundraising, supporting various organizations and causes for several years, I’ve always had the greatest passion for birds, wildlife and the environment. I was raised to have a deep respect and love for the natural world. I’m an avid camper, hiker, paddler and general lover of the outdoors. My fondest memories are bird outings with my parents and grandparents. I’m thrilled to contribute to the invaluable work done by Birds Canada in conserving wild birds of Canada so that future generations can experience the joy of birding.

I first got to know my chickadees and cardinals as a kid watching my family’s feeder in Ottawa.

Pursuing opportunities in wild bird rescue and rehabilitation and environmental education galvanized my interest, and sparked my passion for introducing more people to the world of birds. I went on to earn a B.Sc. Biological Science and a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication. In my role at Birds Canada, I share stories of amazing people taking action to help birds and important news about bird research and conservation. It’s incredible to work with a dedicated team of staff and supporters, united by our love of birds and drive to conserve them.

My mission is to create connections between people and the planet. I’m a biologist with a deep passion for animals. In my current role, I work to increase urban engagement with birds and conservation in cities across Ontario. In other words, my mission is to create connections between people and the planet. My previous work unfolded in the most isolated and pristine habitats in Costa Rica. Now, working in the City of Toronto where the human footprint is the deepest is a fascinating opportunity. I have been able to see the full spectrum of the wild, from the tropical rainforest of Osa Peninsula to the ravines and parks in Toronto.

I hail from a small town in southern Ontario. I’m very passionate about my career at Birds Canada, and it shows. I’ve worked here for over 25 years maintaining the member/donor database. Working for Birds Canada has been very inspirational, learning something new every day about birds. Their beauty, their serenading calls, are majestic and should not be taken for granted. As a wife, mother, and now grand-mother, I take great pride in my family role too. When I’m not spending time with my family or working, my favourite thing to do is gardening and crafts.

An important part of my role involves reducing human disturbances to birds through projects such as the Nova Scotia Piping Plover Conservation Program. I completed my B.A. in Environmental Sustainability and Sociology, and recently finished my Master’s of Resource and Environmental Management at Dalhousie University, where I focused on wildlife conservation and pro-environmental behaviour change. When not at work, I’m either getting up early to go birding, going to bed early (so I can wake up early to go birding), or travelling the world to see new birds.

My job brings together two of the things I’m most passionate about – ornithology and science outreach. I believe strongly in the importance of Citizen Science, and I’m eagerly anticipating working with volunteers across Newfoundland to make the province’s first breeding bird atlas happen. I recently completed a Ph.D. studying migration patterns in Western Bluebirds breeding in British Columbia, and am now enjoying learning all about the birds of Newfoundland!

I coordinate the High Elevation Landbird Program, monitoring Bicknell’s Thrush and other birds in remote forests of northern New Brunswick and the Cape Breton Highlands. I work with forestry managers and regulators to protect habitat in the industrial forest. I also coordinate the Atlantic Nocturnal Owl Survey, a tremendous Citizen Scientist-based effort to census owls in the Atlantic provinces. My interest in birds started on my family’s farm in Nova Scotia particularly raising and showing chickens as a member of my local 4-H club. My interest expanded to wild birds when my I befriended a family of bird watchers during my undergrad in Ontario, eventually leading to my Ph.D. studying the awe-inspiring seabirds of Newfoundland and British Columbia. The remarkable physical abilities and incredible variation among birds, paired with the passion and perseverance of people who work to conserve them, is what inspires my efforts for birds.

My interest in birds began with studying songbirds in the blackfly-infested forests of my home province, New Brunswick, but my heart was stolen by seabirds after my first step onto a stormy, remote seabird colony. Since then, I have devoted the past 20-odd years to bird ecology, physiology, tracking, and conservation on the east and west coasts of Canada. My current role is to build science-based, collaborative partnerships for bird conservation, and to guide our programs for seabirds, owls, forest birds, shorebirds, marsh birds, swifts, and swallows. I am inspired by wild and remote places, by my kids, and by people who strive to tread lightly on this Earth.

I believe that true change starts with the community, and that given the information and resources, small communities can achieve big conservation outcomes. I studied effects of intensive forestry on Three-toed Woodpeckers, Brown Creeper, and other dead-wood dependent birds. After earning a PhD in ecology from the University of Sherbrooke, QC, where I studied reproductive phenology in eastern grey kangaroos in Australia, I returned home to New Brunswick and to birds. An animal ecologist by study, I have focused my career on conservation planning, gaining training and experience in applying the Open Standards for Conservation Planning through community and science-driven knowledge. I hope to help Birds Canada and partners better connect to communities to find the best conservation solutions for people and for birds.

As a fourth generation lobster fisher I grew up on the seashore and lived from the sea. This gave me a great respect for all that lives in coastal areas. After making a choice to pursue environmental studies I got my first summer job working to protect the endangered Piping Plovers that nest on the beaches of my home province of New Brunswick. I was hooked. From the time I started working with Piping Plovers in 1995 I’ve had the privilege of helping to protect the coastal habitats that I hold so dear. And the birds whose survival depends on coastal habitats have inspired the way I communicate this passion to the people that share my attraction to these remarkable places. It’s been a dream come true to spend so much time on beaches, dunes and in marshes. Getting to know the birds that live there and sharing this passion with the thousands that would join our guided walks and special presentations throughout the years has given me a sense of accomplishment that can’t be measured.

Being from Cape Breton Island, I grew up surrounded by nature. Still, my interest in birds only began during my undergraduate degree, when I worked as the Coastal Stewardship Biologist for Birds Canada’s Piping Plover Conservation Program in Nova Scotia. This interest quickly became a passion. It led me to pursue a Master’s degree at the University Centre of the Westfjords in Iceland, where I am studying how conservation social science helps birdlife and biodiversity around the country.

I am fascinated by understanding human motivations, perceptions, and behaviours as they relate to bird conservation worldwide. My position as the Nova Scotia Assistant Program Coordinator allows me to pursue my passions while finding new and innovative ways to connect people and birds.

My passion for the natural world began in high school when I took an environmental studies class. That class led me to complete an environmental studies degree, where my interest in birds began as I created a study comparing passerine diversity among three coastal habitats. This study was the first time I was able to identify new bird species by call, and I was hooked. I have studied forest species at risk in Ontario, including Louisiana Waterthrush, foraging behaviour of aerial insectivores in wetlands, and assisted with a captive breeding program for Loggerhead Shrikes. Now, I coordinate the Atlantic Canada Bank Swallow working group, a group of stakeholders working together to help conserve Bank Swallow populations. I coordinate meetings, data collection, database development and manage and train volunteers.

My passion for nature, conservation, and birds began while growing up in rural Vermont. During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to study Leach’s Storm-Petrels on Kent Island, NB and became hooked on bird research/work. Over the course of field technician jobs on Canada Jays, Common Loons, Savannah Sparrows, Island Scrub-Jays (to name a few), followed by a Master’s degree on Thick-billed Murres at the University of Windsor, I became increasingly passionate about birding as a hobby. I am now always birding and contributing sightings with eBird and other Citizen Science portals.

I started with Birds Canada in 2018 and worked for three years in BC coordinating Citizen Science programs, running outreach events, and contributing to and leading research projects. I am now located in New Brunswick where I am filling the role of Aerial Insectivore Conservation Program Coordinator for the Atlantic region. I really enjoy working with Birds Canada where I can share my enthusiasm for birds and conservation with amazing volunteers, partners, and staff.

I’ve been interested in birds and their conservation for as long as I can remember.

Prior to my current role, I completed a postdoc at our Birds Canada head office in Ontario and the University of Guelph on migration and breeding phenology in Tree Swallows. My Ph.D. was conducted in New Zealand on the ecology and conservation of an endangered endemic bird, the North Island Kokako. I’ve also been involved in behavioral studies of Neotropical birds in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. Two of my current projects include an invasive mammalian predator study in Haida Gwaii (one of my favourite natural environments) and a Long-billed Curlew migration tracking study in the Kootenay Mountains.

On behalf of Birds Canada, I’m building support for the Fraser Estuary Important Bird and Biodiversity Area in British Columbia. Prior to joining Birds Canada, I earned a Master’s degree in International Environmental Policy at the University of Northern British Columbia and worked with WWF-Canada on topics ranging from eelgrass and marine planning to hydropower and the Water Sustainability Act. This experience established a base of knowledge that I’m now applying to the context of the Fraser Estuary.

I grew up in the bustling city of Manila, Philippines and often watched the Pied Fantails forage around the neighbour’s garden. Upon moving to Canada, I’ve completed a Biological Sciences degree from Simon Fraser University and have embarked on numerous science communication roles. In my current role, I support the Birds Canada team through photography, videography, social media, outreach and connecting minority communities to birds and the natural world.

Since childhood, my life has been inspired by nature and wildlife. Growing up in a family of foragers, it was early on that I began noticing environmental change and how it impacts our local communities. I have since completed a bachelors’ degree in Conservation Ecology and my adult life has become motivated by a passion for giving back to nature, supporting the ecological processes that support us, and engaging with people and communities to share knowledge and collaborate on meaningful actions.

After 8 years of work experience with forest birds in eastern Canada – including coordinating the Atlantic Nocturnal Owl Survey and the High Elevation Landbird Program –, I am now thrilled to dedicate my energy to monitoring, research and conservation projects related to western birds. Since I was very young, my passion for wildlife and birds has never faded. Before joining Birds Canada, I obtained my MSc in Ecology in the south of France, and then a PhD at Université de Moncton, NB. I have always been fascinated by the great enthusiasm for birds of Canadian volunteers, and by their considerable investment in collecting important data for science and conservation! This motivates me even more to run and deliver our Citizen Science programs, as well as various education and research projects in BC, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

The nature of my discipline has made me very aware of the interesting challenges that come with balancing human needs with natural resource protection. By studying birds, and protecting them now and for the future, we have a great way to ensure the protection of other species, including ourselves. Birds can allow us to rectify the disconnect between scientists and the general public. As people from all walks of life can connect over bird watching, birds can provide an avenue where we can have those difficult conversations about conservation that need to be had.

I have always been drawn to the outdoors. However, my introduction to avian research was as a wildlife technician studying aerial insectivores during the summers of my undergraduate studies. This led me to pursue a Master of Science in Biology at Western University studying niche segregation among sympatric Barn, Cliff, and Tree swallows. As the Aerial Insectivore Program Coordinator, I work with different groups to coordinate monitoring, research, stewardship, and outreach for aerial insectivores in Ontario. I am also working as the Assistant Coordinator for the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. The Atlas is a collaborative project that aims to map the relative abundance and distribution of the birds that breed in Ontario – data that inform science, conservation, and policy. I feel extremely fortunate to work alongside the dedicated volunteers, collaborators, and Birds Canada staff towards our shared goal of bird conservation

I gain inspiration through envisioning recovery success for species at risk achieved through relationships between research conducted through the Forest Birds at Risk program and landowners and managers. I am responsible for monitoring and assessing populations of priority bird species in the province and work towards building strong steward relationships with land-owners and managers to protect priority species habitat. I also find inspiration for bird and habitat conservation in solving problems associated with a species decline. I am especially fond of birds ever since I held my first Canvasback many years ago. As an ecologist, I believe habitat is the most important element to ensuring we prevent population declines for birds and other wildlife.

I have always been passionate about the environment and feel like my true self when immersed in nature – whether it be hiking, canoeing, scuba diving, or birding. After an early career switch from the humanitarian research sector, I spent several years coordinating biological monitoring projects focused on endangered species in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and back home in Ontario. In addition to hands-on work with birds, turtles, snakes, manatees, and benthic invertebrates, I have also been active in local communities to study the many complex human-environment relationships that promote or deter positive conservation action. I absolutely love birding and continue to learn more about local and migratory species as a volunteer at a local bird banding project.

I grew up on a mixed farm in western Manitoba where I spent many hours in our pastures exploring nature and being captivated by the birds, bugs and mammals that we shared our land with. I’ve always been fascinated by the natural world and our place in it. That interest drove me to continue to learn about agriculture, obtaining my Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture at the University of Manitoba. Agriculture has such an important role to play in the biodiversity and climate crises we find ourselves in and I am passionate about finding solutions that are mutually beneficial for wildlife, the environment, farmers and ranchers, and society at large. As the Grassland Conservation Manager for Birds Canada I get to work at the interface of agriculture and conservation to find solutions to conserve grassland ecosystems and the birds that make their home there.

I draw inspiration and rejuvenation from interacting with the natural world – the wilder and more remote, the stronger the inspiration. I have broad interests in avian monitoring and conservation, which includes experience with estimation of demographic parameters, conservation planning, species-habitat modeling, and bioacoustics monitoring. I was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan where my studies examined the role of dispersal in population dynamics of breeding Ross’s Geese. For over 20 years, my professional experience has lain primarily in the realm of water-loving birds. I was drawn to the conservation profession seeing a need to protect wildlife and the places where wild critters live.

I have always been drawn to nature; whether I was collecting beetles in my lunch kit or spending hours looking for snakes, nature was a big part of my childhood. After completing a diploma in Environmental and Wildlife Management I began working on avian monitoring projects and was immediately hooked. I went on to complete a BSc in Environmental Biology from McGill University where I received the Tomlinson engagement award for mentoring. I enjoy interacting with people and sharing my love of nature, a trait which serves me well in my current role. This work allows me to help others learn about birds while also affording me time alone in nature, both of which keep me inspired. I do what I do in the hopes that I can motivate others to help protect wildlife and the habitats they depend on.

I first developed a passion for birds after being introduced to birdwatching at a nature summer camp as a teenager. I pursued undergraduate studies in biology and then studied the habitat preferences of Bicknell’s Thrush in southern Quebec as part of my Master’s degree at McGill University. During the next 20 years or so, I held various positions in the field of bird ecology and conservation with organizations such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Canadian Wildlife Service. These positions involved, among other things, conducting field studies, developing conservation plans, and work on species at risk recovery.

I joined the Birds Canada team in 2022 as the coordinator of the Chimney Swift Chimney Restoration Fund. I am thrilled to be part of a team of people who share a passion for birds and who contribute to their appreciation and conservation in Canada.

I’m a biologist with a wide range of experience working with birds. Born in England, I have lived in Québec since 1996. Before taking up my current position, I worked for 10 years as a research officer at Laval University. Before that, in England, I worked for the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the Zoological Society of London. I am also a member of the Québec Breeding Bird Atlas Management Committee and the Scientific Committee of the Observatoire d’oiseaux de Tadoussac, and secretary of the Baillie Fund.

Being a naturalist I enjoy hiking in any of our great Canadian seasons. I have worked in my current position at Birds Canada for over a decade. During this time have had the fortuity to observe the advancement and betterment of Birds Canada and to have worked on numerous projects across the country. I am very proud to be a part of this wonderful organization engaged in the guardianship of wild birds and their habitats.

I am an avid supporter of conservation, habitat stewardship, and biodiversity, in the strength of grassroots community actions, and that each individual can make a difference. I spent my childhood in Long Point, Ontario next to the Big Creek National Wildlife Area. There I formed a great love for boating, wetlands, wildlife, and all things aquatic. I hold an H.B.Sc. in Wildlife Ecology and Environmental Studies from the University of Guelph, a M.Sc.F in Wildlife Management from Lakehead University and Volunteer Management accreditation from Humber College. Past work in tourism, retail, raptor and duck research and data management as well as experience collaborating with Citizen Scientists has led me to my present job. My three beautiful and almost adult children have taught me that yes, your beliefs can be instilled in the next generation and that this is hope for our future.

I’ve been hooked on birds ever since I can remember. For example, as a kid I got (a bit) annoyed when my family went on holidays to Disney World, because it meant I missed Canada Jay nest-finding with my Dad for a research project in Algonquin Park. Naturally, my academic and professional career has focused on developing workable conservation solutions for birds, and raising awareness of the importance of these animals. Currently, I work on waterbirds and wetlands by directing the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program, Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, and Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Program.

I have been fascinated by birds since a young age.

After completing my Master’s on the post-breeding behavior of Swainson’s Thrushes at Acadia University, I joined the Birds Canada’s team in the Atlantic Region in 2018 to run the Maritimes Marsh Monitoring Program. Since then, I have taken on more responsibilities related to the Motus Wildlife Tracking System – namely, managing the Atlantic array of Motus receiver stations and supporting Motus users worldwide. I am proud to be part of Birds Canada and contributing to a greater understanding of birds and their environment.

Having spent many years witnessing the miracle of avian migration I continue to be both humbled and inspired by how we fit on this planet.

For the past 6 years I have been the Program Coordinator of Thunder Cape Bird Observatory. I recruit and train Volunteers in bird handling and manage the operation of our robust protocol for both of our spring and autumn seasons on the north shore of Lake Superior.

During breeding season geo tagging Grey-cheeked Thrush and Blackpoll Warblers has drawn me to Newfoundland and Labrador. Perhaps with information gleaned by my efforts we humans can learn from the myriad of avian species crossing geographical and human boundaries. Their precious presence and perseverance reflects the best of our abilities.

I have been interested in birds from a very young age. This interest grew into a passion during my studies at Trent University. After graduating, I volunteered at Long Point Bird Observatory and I was hooked. I went on to work as the Program Coordinator for the observatory and enjoyed incorporating education and outreach into the work I do as much as possible. Currently, as the Ontario Projects Biologist I am able to provide contributions to numerous Birds Canada projects including the Forest Birds at Risk Program, Forest Bird Monitoring Program, and the Long Point Bird Observatory. I am very excited to be collecting data that guide conservation policy and garner a deep understanding of bird behaviour and ecology.

Growing up, I was always passionate about wildlife, and I knew I wanted to pursue this passion in my career. I am happy to have been able to do so throughout my education and in my current role with Birds Canada. Prior to joining Birds Canada, I studied Common Eiders in the Canadian low Arctic for my Master’s degree and I studied the stopover movement ecology of Semipalmated Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plover in Atlantic Canada for my undergraduate research. During my undergraduate work, I realized the value of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System as a research tool, and I am proud to now be able to do my part to help the network run smoothly for other research initiatives in my work with Birds Canada. Specifically, I assist in the deployment and maintenance of Motus stations in the Maritimes, and I help manage Motus automated radio-telemetry data.

I’m working to expand the Motus Wildlife Tracking System in Western Canada. Prior to joining Birds Canada, I studied Red Knots on the James Bay coast for my Masters degree. I also spent several years working as a field technician, primarily with shorebirds in the Bay of Fundy and James Bay, but also with seabirds, passerines, and small mammals on various projects. I love being in the field and I’m interested in migration, population ecology, and the conservation of highly mobile species.

I began exploring the natural world while in the womb, and have been birding since the age of two. In my current role, I’m responsible for the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, Long Point Bird Observatory, Thunder Cape Bird Observatory, and aspects of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. I hold degrees from the University of Guelph and Western University. Formerly, I served as President of the Ontario Bird Banding Association and Chair of the North American Banding Council. I live in Port Rowan with my wife and two children.

My role focuses on coordinating the Caretaker Program, a group of on-the-ground stewards for Ontario Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs).

I am lucky to work with these enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers to monitor IBAs for priority species, carry out conservation activities, organize events, and increase awareness of the program. I have a background in Environmental Studies and Biology, and have worked with birds, bats, soil, and water. Connecting people with nature is what motivates me to work in conservation. I hope to give the next generation the same (or better!) opportunity to experience the beauty of nature that I’ve enjoyed.

I’m proud to have pioneered work on mapping the distribution, abundance, and migratory connections of birds that is featured regularly in scientific papers, books, popular publications, websites, and field guides.

My achievements in bird conservation include election to the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. I represent Birds Canada on numerous regional, national, and international conservation initiatives, including Bird Atlases, North American Bird Conservation Initiative, BirdLife International, Partners in Flight, Key Biodiversity Areas, and others. It has been rewarding to see my two decades of leadership at Birds Canada help propel the organization from a locally focused one to a respected national and international partner. I find inspiration in nature, birds, and music, and in sharing these passions with family, friends, and strangers alike.

Jeff is Birds Canada’s Key Biodiversity Area Technician, which involves supporting the transition of the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Program to the Key Biodiversity Area Program. Jeff holds a Master of Environmental Science, specializing in Conservation and Biodiversity, from the University of Toronto. Prior to this he completed a MSc in Biology at Concordia University, where his thesis focused on how variation in sex ratios influenced the mating behaviour of male and female reindeer in Finland. Jeff also completed a BSc in General Biology at the University of New Brunswick, where his independent research project focused on the utilization of ageing methodologies in crustaceans and their importance for sustainable fisheries practices.
Prior to joining Birds Canada, Jeff worked as the Program & Communications Coordinator for the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, working one-on-one with land trusts across Ontario to support various stewardship activities including invasive species management, species at risk (SAR) monitoring, climate change vulnerability assessments, and the development of SAR action plans and baseline documentation reports to inform their conservation work. He also coordinated outreach events such as guided nature hikes, tree plantings, workshops, and conferences.
In his free time Jeff likes reading fiction, traveling, camping, baking, visiting his family in the Maritimes, and keeping active with hiking and running.

My interest is in preventing habitat deterioration and animal population decline. Like many others, I am deeply saddened knowing that beautiful species have become extinct and will never return to the earth because of lack of planning and human comprehension.

I am passionate about geospatial technologies and applying them to improve the world around us. I firmly believe that making decisions based on geography is basic to human thinking.

My academic knowledge and experience is in Ecology, Digital Geography and GIS, Database Management, Web GIS, GIS mobile apps, automation, and spatial data collection. For more than 12 years, I have applied GIS technologies to a variety of studies including environmental impact assessments, natural heritage studies, socioeconomic, aboriginal, land use studies, wetland delineation, hydrogeology, hydrology, and animal population dynamics among others.

Being part of Birds Canada, I have the opportunity to work for a science-based organization and contribute my experience and knowledge to conserve wild birds and prevent their extinction.

I enjoy working with the abundant Citizen Science data collected by bird enthusiasts from across Canada to help resolve key conservation challenges.

As a young biologist, I studied birds across North America before completing a Master of Science on American badgers and a Ph.D. on Bobolinks. To date, my research has taken a multi-disciplinary approach to resolve questions that imperil wildlife populations in human-modified landscapes. In my current role, I assess large-scale drivers of avian population dynamics in order to guide science-based habitat management practices and government decision-making.

While I like software development, I especially enjoy being able to pursue it in a relatively untouched natural area instead of a downtown city core.

I’m a software developer currently devoting my time to the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, a collaborative research network that is improving our knowledge of the movements of birds and other animals. My parents were involved in founding Long Point Bird Observatory, which later spawned Birds Canada, so I have a long history with the organization.

I’m passionate about engaging people in the wonders of the natural world, through my work with Birds Canada and also as a guide in Antarctica, coastal BC, and at the Iona Island Bird Observatory.

In my role with Birds Canada, I facilitate data sharing from large scale monitoring programs to support research and conservation. My primary projects include the Canadian Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Database and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System.

My knowledge of birds was limited when I first arrived here, but I quickly noticed that my colleagues were passionate and dedicated to their work, and their enthusiasm was inspiring.

As a result, I have become a Project Feederwatch participant (along with my family), counting bird species and the numbers of birds that come to my bird feeders. This information helps scientists study winter bird populations and informs them of any rarities, like seeing a Rose-breasted Grosbeak in January! I also participate in the yearly Birdathon where I help raise funds for bird conservation. In my role I perform many financial tasks, including nationwide payroll. I’m delighted to tell people I work for this organization and I am proud of Birds Canada’s accomplishments with regard to conservation and the environment.

I grew up on the shores of Lake Wanapitei in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, and developed a passion for nature and observing wildlife in their natural habitat, including my favourite bird, the Common Loon.

I’m honoured to work with such a passionate group who is dedicated to bird conservation using sound science and evidence-based research.

I grew up in the local area and previously worked for Long Point Provincial Park and the Ministry of Natural Resources, always having an appreciation for the environment, wildlife, and bird conservation. Some of my fondest childhood memories include looking out the front window on our family farm, my parents having a bird book in hand as we tried to identify the various beautiful birds that would perch on our feeders.

Fast forward to 2021: I am thrilled to be joining the inspiring and diverse team at Birds Canada.

I am equally appreciative to have the opportunity to share my extensive Leadership and Human Resources industry experience.

As Human Resources Manager, I am very passionate about making a positive impact and I strongly believe that people are an organization’s greatest asset!

One of my favorite quotes is: “Great vision without great people is irrelevant!” – Jim Collins

On a personal note, family is everything to me, which includes our adorable dachshund dog! When I am not working, you will find me enjoying time with family and friends, cooking in the kitchen, enjoying a beautiful nature walk, or curled up in a cozy blanket with a good book