THE ELK RIVER ALLIANCE TEAM

CHAD HUGHES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BSc Environmental Science

chad@elkriveralliance.ca

Exploring and learning about this amazing river has been a passion ever since I swapped the Outback deserts for the mountains of the Kootenays. I’m so glad to have the opportunity to use my skills and experience to protect the place we fish, float, and live. I feel the community has a huge role to play in environmental conservation and through the ERA I want to help citizens and visitors of the Elk Valley safeguard the river on which we work and play. 

KAILEIGH McCALLUM, ECOLOGIST

MSc Biodiversity and Conservation

kaileigh@elkriveralliance.ca 

A long-standing passion for nature and a desire to understand it drives me in my need to protect the Elk River watershed. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring my enthusiasm for environmental conservation to a community with such a strong connection to its rivers and a love of nature at its heart. By continuing to learn about our watershed, and encourage others to do the same, we can foster this incredible connection to it and ensure the health of our rivers for future generations. 

EVGENI MATVEEV, OUTREACH & EDUCATION COORDINATOR

MSc Marine Biology

evgeni@elkriveralliance.ca 

One of the most important (yet often missed) components of the scientific process is communicating research to the public. Over the years I’ve accumulated experience in event planning, writing, data visualization, research synthesis, and graphic design so I can best relate scientific findings to the public. I think science is exciting, but often shrouded in obscure terminology. My goal is to get the local community excited about the science and nature around them, and thereby be more engaged in protecting their ecosystem.

ANNE-CAROLINE KROEGER, PROJECT MANAGER

MSc Bioresource engineering

anne@elkriveralliance.ca 

As a general science student studying side-by-side with engineering students, I was struck at the ability of engineering students ”to get projects done” through project management skills, and I wanted to learn the ways of effective project managers. I applied these skills with increasing confidence over the five years I worked in an environmental consulting firm in Québec City. My interest in running exciting projects in high-performing teams has grown every year since my early student years.

CHRIS BUSH, RESTORATION TECHNICIAN

Environmental Science Associates degree

chris@elkriveralliance.ca 

After volunteering with the alliance for only one summer in 2018 I realized conservation fieldwork was what I wanted to do. Some research into what was required, a lot more volunteering, and two years to acquire an Environmental Science Associates degree and that dream eventually come true. As a nature lover and with water being an essential part of all life I feel privileged to be able to spend my days doing my part in trying to restore and maintain healthy natural environments for us and nonhuman animals alike.

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