Birds Canada Leadership Team

I never lost my childhood interest in nature, enjoying birding, fishing and other outdoor activities at cottages and Boy Scouts. I recall my mother proudly showing our surprised family 36 Cedar Waxwings in our Flowering Crab-apple trees!  At the University of Toronto, I was fortunate to participate in the institution’s first-ever ‘environmental’ course, and dove into ecology and evolution.  That led to a summer job charting decades of bird diaries of James L. Baillie, who had been a bird expert at the Royal Ontario Museum and inspiration for the Great Canadian Birdathon.  I’ve worked nearly four decades in the conservation movement, starting with WWF-Canada, then joining the board of the Long Point Bird Observatory, and in 2014, becoming President of Birds Canada, now operating as ‘Birds Canada’.

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.

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 always enjoyed seeing Barn Swallows, Goldfinches and Red-winged Blackbirds on the farm where I grew up.

My hope is to help Birds Canada keep common birds common by engaging more people in the work of conserving wild birds of Canada.

I joined the Birds Canada team in 2018 and am thoroughly enjoying working with this group of smart, passionate, and dedicated people. My background is in agriculture and horticulture, and I hold undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Guelph. I’ve worked in provincial government, not-for-profit, and charitable organizations.

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.

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.

To conserve something, we need to have awareness and understanding, and – equally important – a spark of appreciation.

My joy comes from providing opportunities for authentic connections to nature through birds, and inspiring meaningful stewardship and conservation action. I collaborate with a passionate team of scientists, educators, and community partners, all keen to bring engaging bird-focused programming and Citizen Science to K-12 students, youth and families in schools and communities across Canada. My career ambitions, and teaching practices, are rooted in science, but very much fueled by curiosity and the magic of birds and nature.

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.

A lifelong birder and passionate conservationist, I bring a global perspective to the Birds Canada local-to-hemispheric conservation science program. I’m something of a long-distance migrant – originally from the UK, I arrived in Canada via a decade in Asia. I’m now a Metro Vancouver homeowner and permanent resident, although currently based remotely in East Africa for much of the year. Prior to my current role, I served as the BC Program Manager for Birds Canada.

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.

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!

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.

Growing up in coastal British Columbia, my fascination with the natural world was encouraged by my parents and teachers from a young age. When I landed a summer job studying seabirds on the East Coast during university, I discovered a career that fulfills my passion for conservation and love of learning. As the Aerial Insectivore Conservation Program Coordinator in the Atlantic Region, I work with a dedicated team of citizen scientists, landowners and partner organizations to improve monitoring and stewardship of swifts and swallows. Now a parent myself, I’m motivated by my children’s boundless curiosity and eagerness to explore our environment. The creativity and passion of volunteers and colleagues inspire me to seek innovative partnerships and strategies to support the conservation of swifts and swallows in Canada.

I knew I wanted to work in wildlife conservation since I was very young, growing up in the mountains and countryside of southern France. Since then, my passion for birds and wilderness developed farther, to the point where I decided to undertake a PhD about the ecology of forest birds and landscape changes in eastern Ontario. After I graduated, I kept dedicating energy to forest bird conservation, being active as a researcher, naturalist, volunteer and guide. In 2018 I was a Field Technician and Research Assistant for Birds Canada, and I am now very proud to be part of the team again, coordinating the High Elevation Landbird Program and Atlantic Nocturnal Owl Survey. The opportunity to implement greater protection of bird populations, and the considerable growing interest of citizens make me redouble my efforts.

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 coordinate Citizen Science programs in BC, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, run education and outreach events, and help with Birds Canada research projects. I really enjoy my position because it allows me to share my enthusiasm for birds and conservation and work with amazing volunteers who collect important data for bird conservation and monitoring. I grew up in Vermont, which is where my passion for nature, conservation, and birds began. Before joining Birds Canada, I completed a Master’s degree on Thick-billed Murres at the University of Windsor and worked throughout North America on studies of Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Island Scrub-Jays, Common Loons, and more.

One of my first field jobs was surveying Cerulean Warblers at the Queen’s University Biological Station. This experience piqued my interest in birds, specifically Species at Risk, and I haven’t looked back since. After receiving a Master of Science in Biology studying habitat loss in Eastern Whip-poor-wills, I began working at Birds Canada in 2016 on swifts and swallows. Now, as the Ontario Program Director, I work with an incredible team and support a variety of projects focused mainly on conserving bird Species at Risk and their habitats in Ontario. I am inspired by the talented and dedicated Birds Canada staff and supporters and do this work because birds need our help more than ever.

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.

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 grew up in Long Point, Ontario, and became really interested in birds when I started hanging out at the bird research observatories to take pictures of the birds for drawing or painting. I was captivated by the enthusiasm of the birders and bird banders and the delicate beauty of the birds. Prior to my current role, I spent four summers researching aerial insectivores in Southern Ontario. Now, as Ontario SwiftWatch Coordinator, my job is to work with the public to study and conserve Chimney Swifts. I am inspired by the beauty and wonder of our natural world and motivated to preserve it for future generations to appreciate it as well.

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 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 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’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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 grew up surrounded by birds, wildlife and nature. I have an interdisciplinary background with training in the health sciences, kinesiology, and ecology. I have over 15-years of experience studying bird behavioural ecology, movements, migration, demographics, and conservation. Specifically, I’ve researched moulting and migratory behaviour of Wood Thrush (MSc, York University), sex and age differences in landscape use, parental care and migration of Northern Flickers (PhD, University of Saskatchewan), and sex related differences in parental investment to related and unrelated young in Song Sparrows (Killam Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of British Columbia). I’ve also detailed the migratory journeys and annual cycles of Tree Swallows from across their breeding range (NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Guelph). As a Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellow, I studied what outdoor domestic cats do when nobody is looking, including estimating their impacts on birds, by attaching custom engineered cameras to the collars of cats. My current role at Birds Canada involves synthesizing animal movement data from Motus and other technologies to help identify conservation priorities.

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.

My role focuses on supporting the growth of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System and assisting with aspects of our bird observatory operations.

I’m responsible for Motus collaborator outreach and communications and maintaining Motus infrastructure in Ontario and beyond. My past research and conservation experience includes bird banding at various observatories, including Long Point Bird Observatory, and studying mammals such as grizzly bears. I am a co-founder and coordinator of the Ontario Badger Project, which has sought to better understand and conserve Ontario’s endangered badger population.

I am a wildlife biologist and conservation professional with over 25 years of experience in the environmental field.

I’ve worked on conservation, wildlife research, and educational programs throughout my career, and written publications on a diversity of topics – from birds and reptiles to native plants and watershed ecology. I have directed projects for Ontario Nature, Long Point Basin Land Trust, and the Québec-Labrador Foundation, and have served in a number of senior roles at Birds Canada.

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’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.

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 first fell in love with birds during my undergraduate degree in Ecology and Environmental Biology in the beautiful grassland interior of British Columbia. Since then my career has taken me across to country to study Chimney Swift Roost abundance in northern Ontario, Barn Swallow post-fledging ecology in southern Ontario for my Masters degree, and boreal landbird distribution and abundance in the Northwest Territories. During this time, I have developed many technical skills for the management and automation of count, acoustic, and spatial bird data. In my current role at Birds Canada I am a part of the Landscape Science and Conservation team where I work as GIS Spatial Analyst. Here I am able use my technical expertise to aid in the understanding and conservation of wild bird species.

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.

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 was very lucky to join Long Point Bird Observatory (now Birds Canada), the oldest bird observatory in North America, in 1985.

I have filled many roles over the years and I am presently the organization’s Accounting and Facilities Manager. Over the years, I have had the wonderful opportunity to witness the challenges, growth and successes of Birds Canada. I am so very proud to have been a part of this unique organization working towards the preservation of wild birds and their habitats.