Welcome to the Canadian Environmental Network's National Council Listserv. The purpose of the listserv is to BETTER FACILITATE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN DELEGATES CEN's NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Bienvenue au serveur de liste du Conseil national du R�seau Canadien de l'environnement. La mission du serveur de liste est de FACILITER LES COMMUNICATIONS ENTRE TOUS LES D�L�GU�S DU CONSEIL NATIONAL DU RCE.

Below is a short bio of the National Council Delegates

Jim Elliot (Saskatchewan Environmental Network representative)

I work in the area of environmental education and community development and have a Bachelor of Science and an Certificate in Community Development. I was a National Steering Committee member in the early 1980's. I have been a board member of the regional network in Saskatchewan for many years and sit on many local boards including those at the municipal level. I currently sit on the Health Caucus steering committee and the Policy & Bylaws Committee. I also sit on the provincial Climate Change Stakeholders Advisory Committee. I ride a bike all year round and look after two Great Horned Owls that I take to schools.

Andrea Waywanko (Alberta Environmental Network Rep.)

In addition to my position on the National Council of the CEN, I am presently on the Transition Board of the CEN and Chair of the Alberta Environmental Network.

I have a deep grounding in environmental issues, on both a scientific and social basis. I'm also proud of my contribution so far as a member of the Transition Board of the CEN where I have served as the Treasurer and participated on the negotiation team for this past round of bargaining with the CEN staff. I'm also serving on the National Council Liaison Committee and look forward to meeting everyone at our first face-to-face meeting, hopefully in June!

I have experience in in management and organization of NGOs, strategic planning and policy development (including writing policy on child care, labour and the environment, pay equity and sexual harassment).

In the past I have served as a Vice-President (representing the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), Chair of the AFL Environment Committee and Chair of the Women's and Pay Equity Committees (AUPE).

My several years' experience on the Alberta Environmental Network's Steering Committee has enhanced my organizational and strategic planning capabilities. I am dedicated to developing co-operation between labour and environmentalists on the environmental issues and am the AFL's representative on the Forest Stewardship Council's review of certification criteria.

There's a tremendous amount of work to do to protect and enhance our environment. Coming from Alberta, I know the challenges are great, but not unsurmountable. I see our work in the CEN as crucial to developing and maintaining close working relationships with our allies and speaking as a united voice for our environment and all our futures - locally and globally!

Martha Kostuch (Water Caucus Representative)

I am a mother, grandmother, veterinarian and environmental activist. I co-chair the CEN Water/Fisheries/Ocean Caucus. I am also active on the Environmental Planning and Assessment and Atmosphere Caucuses. I am Vice-President of the Friends of the Oldman River, President of ALERT, the Alberta League for Environmentally Responsible Tourism, and Chair of PARC, the Prairie Acid Rain Coalition. I am active in a broad variety of environmental issues including environmental assessment, water management, air quality and land use. I have a fair bit of experience in private prosecutions and other types of legal action.

Jennifer Eakins (NORNET Rep.)

I have several years experience in science and environmental education (particularly experiential education) , with various non-profit organizations such as Institute of Urban Ecology, Yukon Conservation Society and Innovators in the Schools. I work closely with an alternative high school in Whitehorse, focusing on experiential science and outdoor pursuits. I believe strongly that youth need to experience their natural environment in order to understand, appreciate, and protect it. Yukon is a wonderful place for youth to grow up with just such a connection to their environment. This summer, I will be teaching my first adult course for Yukon College - Field Botany of the Yukon, a 7-day field course in Tombstone Terrtitorial Park. I also have biology research experience with Natural Resources Canada. Currently, I am finishing up a contract as Sr. Research Assistant for an evaluation of the Whitehorse Youth Justice Panel (yes, a far cry from environmental education - but equally important!).

CLIFF WALLIS (Forest Caucus Rep.)

Strengths: Environmental Law Enforcement, Biodiversity Conservation, Practical Solutions

Professional: Cliff is a Professional Biologist (registered in Alberta) with a diverse background in biodiversity research, protected areas management and planning, ecotourism projects, environmental assessment, endangered species protection, significant features identification, interpretive planning, and media production related to environmental topics. He has operated his own environmental consulting company since 1978, Cottonwood Consultants Ltd.

Volunteer (ENGO): In a volunteer capacity, Cliff has worked on environmental projects or served on the boards of several ENGOs since the early 1970s. His volunteer interests include strengthening ENGOs and ENGO networks, biodiversity conservation, effects of trade on environment, and enforcement of environmental law. He has worked proactively with federal, provincial and regional government agencies, non-profit organizations, indigenous communities, and local landowners and has helped to bring opposing sides together with practical solutions. He has been active with ENGOS in taking action in the courts to ensure environmental laws are enforced. He served as policy chair for the Environment Committee of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, joining business interests and ENGOs on various resolutions to improve environmental protection. He has been a director of the Environmental Law Centre of Alberta for 15 years.

Cliff has participated in or organized numerous workshops, conferences and seminars on environmental matters and has participated on ministerial advisory committees on various biodiversity policy initiatives. He served on Canadian delegations for the Intergovernmental Fora on Forests 2, 3 and 4 as well as biodiversity policy initiatives. He has actively participated at Commission for Environmental Cooperation and affiliated group (e.g. environmental and wildlife law enforcement) meetings held in Mexico, Canada and the U.S. since the mid 1990s.

VOLUNTEER ENGO DIRECTORSHIPS

Alberta Wilderness Association, President, director since 1980; dedicated to protecting big wilderness; has used hearing processes and legal actions to ensure adherence to public process and enforcement of environmental laws Canadian Environmental Network, Forest Caucus and National Council; exploring international agreements and ensuring Canadian law, policy and implementation is consistent with those agreements Environmental Law Centre (Alberta), Director, 1987-present; dedicated to improving environmental quality through environmental law reform and giving advice to the public on legal processes and law enforcement Friends of the Oldman River, President, 1987-present; launched a series of legal actions that began changing the way governments and courts look at water projects and environmental assessments; submissions under NAAEC

CURRENT COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS RELATED TO BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Hay-Zama Committee; 1995-present; work cooperatively with the conservation community, government, energy industry and Dene Tha in northwestern Alberta to manage and protect the Hay-Zama Lakes RAMSAR wetland Milk River Management Society; 1991-present; Milk River Management Plan Committee 1984-1991; brought previously combative ranchers, hunters, local politicians and provincial conservationists together to establish and manage the Milk River Canyon Natural Area/Kennedy Creek Ecological Reserve in southeastern Alberta Wainwright Dunes Planning Team; 1992-present; management of ecological reserve Prairie Conservation Forum, advisory group of ranchers, local, provincial and federal governments, and conservation organizations working to protect prairie biodiversity; 1996-present Express Pipeline Environmental Advisory Committee; 1996-present

ACHIEVEMENTS, AWARDS

Cliff Shaw Award, Saskatchewan Natural History Society, 1972 various conservation awards from the Alberta Wilderness Association, Alberta Fish and Game Association (Calgary Chapter) and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (Edmonton Chapter) Governor-General's Canada 125th Anniversary Medal Prairie Conservation Award, World Wildlife Fund 1992 J.B. Harkin Medal, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, 1997.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Maggie Paquet (Mining Caucus Rep.)

I have an academic background (BSc) in biology (botany, terrestrial ecology), geology, environmental studies, and physical anthropology, and a BA in English/Western Comparative Literature. For the past 15 years, I have specialised in communications, research, fundraising, writing, editing, and publishing in the fields of natural resource management, public policy, environmental law, outdoor recreation, and health sciences.

My company is called MAIA Publishing. I wrote, edited, designed, and published Parks of British Columbia & The Yukon, and I've researched, written, edited, and/or published documents for federal and provincial government agencies, publishing companies, and various ENGOs, including:

* Stone's Sheep of the Northern Rockies: The Effects of Access report & separate bibliography, BC Wildlife

* Toward A Mountain Caribou Management Strategy; BC Wildlife Branch

* Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy, Background Report; BC Wildlife Branch

* Healing the Land...Healing Ourselves-A Guide to Ecological Restoration Resources for British Columbia, BCEN Educational Foundation and Science Council of BC

* Pulp Pollution Primer and Monitoring Pulp and Paper Mills in British Columbia: A Citizen's Handbook; both for Reach for Unbleached!

* Stormy Weather-101 Solutions to Global Climate Change; New Society Publishers

* Summary reports for 3 agencies in Environment Canada (Inspections Section-Enforcement & Emergencies Division, Fraser River Action Plan, and Fraser Pollution Abatement Office)

I have also worked as a paralegal (14 yrs) in family law, associate editor of a provincial monthly newspaper called Health Care News, ran a group home for emotionally disturbed teens (7 yrs), was a transcriber/editor for Hansard (BC Legislature) for many years, was a natural history interpreter in the BC Parks system, and was coordinator of the Pacific Rim Communities Regional Bear Aware Program for the BC Conservation Foundation. Recently, I've been doing a lot more work in the fields of community economic development, writing business plans, entrepreneurship training, and environmental assessment.

My volunteer work includes:

* Citizens Stewardship Coalition, Secretary (2002 Gold Winner of Canadian Geographic and Environment Canada's Canadian Environment Award in the Clean Air category)

* Canadian Environmental Network National Council (Mining Caucus rep)

* Working Group member drafting Terms of Reference for Alberni Valley Futures Council

* Contributor to Encyclopedia of BC, a millennium project by Harbour Publishing

* Committee member (alternate) on Treaty Negotiations Advisory Committee (BCEN rep)

* Nonaligned public member of BC Parks Public Focus Group on Parks Policies

* Participant, public processes in Stikine watershed: (a) Environmental Assessment of Bronson Slope mine; (b) EA of Red Chris mine; (c) Land and Resource Management Plan for Cassiar-Iskut-Stikine

* School presentations: Environmental effects of mining: fish and wildlife habitats

* Slide presentation to Vancouver Natural Hist Soc: How Safe is Habitat in Our Provincial Parks?

* National Steering Committee, Canadian Environmental Network (CEN), Ottawa, 1997/98

* Past Member Advisory Board, BC Environmental Network Educational Foundation

* Committee member of the Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group, AQUAMIN, review of the Metal Mining Liquid Effluent Regulations and Guidelines under the federal Fisheries Act

* Steering Committee, Mining and Oceans caucuses, CEN (1993-1997) and member of Fisheries Working Group (1993/99) CEN; delegate to Coastal Zone Canada '98 Conference

* Managing Director and newsletter editor for Friends of the Stikine Society (1991-1998)

* Newsletter editor CPAWS-BC and Designer/Writer/Editor BC Wildlands series of booklets

[and much more...]

Pat Moss (Environmental Assessment and Planning Rep.)

Pat Moss is a longtime community activist who has many years of experience working with environmental and social justice groups. Since 1978 she has lived in the Bulkley Valley in northwestern British Columbia and is best known for her 16 year campaign on the Kemano issue. Pat has also been active in the broader environmental community, serving on the B.C. Environmental Network steering committee for 10 years, as co-chair of the national Canadian Environmental Network for three years, and as chair of the Sierra Club of B.C. for three years. For her work on the Kemano issue Pat received the Cal Woods Conservation Award from the Steelhead Society of B.C. in 1991 and the Minister of Environmental Individual Award from the B.C. Government in 1995. She was also recipient of the Patagonia Fellowship for 1995-6 and the Wild Earth Award in 2002 for longtime environmental activism.

Ms. Moss also has a significant background in native issues. From 1985 to 1991 she chaired the Smithers Human Rights Society which undertook a major public education campaign on the Gitxsan-Wet'suwet'en land claim and historic legal action. Since then she has maintained links with First Nations in the region and worked to develop communication between environmental, community, and native organizations working on resource issues. From those links the Northwest Institute was formed with a board of environmental and First Nation activists along with natural resource scientists. Pat was a founding director of the Northwest Institute and has been its executive director since July 1996. The Institute does research and public education on resource issues in the northwest British Columbia.

Positions held

Director	Northwest Institute for Bioregional Research (1996 to present)
Director	West Coast Environment Law (1998 to present)
Chair		BC Environmental Network Educational Foundation (1998 to present)
Director	Driftwood Foundation (1990 to present)
Chair		Environmental Assessment Caucus, B.C. Env Net (1993 to present)
Chair		Environment & Economy Standing Committee of N.D.P. (1989 to 2000)
Chair		Sierra Club of B.C. (1995 to 1998)
Chair		Rivers Defense Coalition (1984 to 1996)
Chair		Environmental Assessment Caucus, Canadian Env Net (1994-6)
Co-chair	Canadian Environmental Network (1990-1993)
Director	B.C. Environmental Network Steering Committee (1984-1993)
Chair		Save the Bulkley (1981-1995)

Awards

* Wild Earth Award, 2002

* Patagonia Environmental Fellowship, 1995-6

* Minister of Environment Individual Award, 1995

* Commemorative Medal, 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation (Governor General of Canada 1993 for "contribution to community")

* Cal Wood Conservation Award, B.C. Steelhead Society, 1991

Joseph Prymak (MEN rep.)

Joseph Prymak grew up in the once small town of Birds Hill, growing vegetables and greenhouse plants which his family sold, however since then, this quiet farming community has changed into a sprawling urban development which has destroyed some of this fertile Red River farmland. He has been on countless wilderness trips in the beautiful areas of Canada, where he developed a deeper love for Nature, a desire for understanding and a conviction that pristine wilderness was in need of protection, particularly in terms of public education and the changing of government laws and policies. Some of his past volunteer experiences include involvement with Earth First Manitoba, the Junto Library at the Grassroots Centre, Food Not Bombs and Winnipeg Harvest. Some of his current volunteer experiences include: Consumers for Responsible Energy (CORE), attending public hearings and meetings, two years on the Eco-Network Steering Committee, a member of the University of Winnipeg environmental student group, and organization of the Winnipeg organic food conference. He lived in co-op houses, helped purchase 80 acres for an ecovillage, and is a member of an organic food-buying club. He longs for hiking in Manitoba, where he continually practices wilderness survival skills and plant identification. He enjoys visiting with friends and elders at the Sagkeeng First Nation, learning traditional medicines and attending ceremonies. Joseph was a student for two years at the U of M in the department of Environmental Science. Presently he is at the U of W finishing a four-year degree in political and bio-ethical philosophy.

Andrea Dykstra (NSEN rep.)

Andrea Dykstra is a 21 year old Mikmaq woman of Black Point, Nova Scotia. Andrea attends St. Francis Xavier University where she is presently entering her fifth year of a Bachelor of Science Majoring in Biology. She is currently spearheading the Pictou Landing Thermal Disturbance Study, a dynamic look at the effect of unnatural heating on the organisms living in and around freshwater streams. She acquired funding for both phases independently, writing to local companies and organizations to get her project off the ground. Andrea is the first student at St. Francis Xavier University to direct and fund her own research project.

In addition to her scholastic pursuits, Andrea is an active volunteer within the Pictou Landing First Nation of which she is a member. Ms. Dykstra currently holds a variety of volunteer positions relevant to the status of First Nations in Canada. In 2001, Andrea was elected to the position of Vice-Chair of the Nova Scotia Environmental Network, a parent body of environmental NGOs in the province. Ms. Dykstra is currently building the First Nation Environmental Issues working group, a network of individuals from First Nations communities with environmental concerns. She also serves at the national level as the council member representing Nova Scotia in the Canadian Environmental Network, the primary NGO that works along side of Environment Canada. Ms. Dykstra was recently elected to the Indigenous Chamber of the Maritime Division of the Forest Stewardship Council of Canada, an organization which develops ecologically efficient forest standards for corporations and woodlot owners internationally.

In February 2003, Andrea was selected to sit on the Canadian Institute of Health Researchs Atlantic Aboriginal Health Research Council, a body of professionals, community members and government officials regulating Aboriginal health policies and research initiatives.

Ms. Dykstra also represents her people in the political arena. She was elected to the position of President for the Aboriginal Peoples Commission (APC) of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. At 21, Andrea is the youngest APC president in Canada and actively promotes Aboriginal involvement in policy building as well as full participation in the electoral process.

In 2000, Ms. Dykstra took her first steps into diplomatic territory while working in Mexico during a university exchange. While visiting the Nahuatl indigenous community of Amatlan in Morelos state, Andrea discussed the status of Indigenous affairs between Canada and Mexico with the presiding Land Council. These discussions, spanning over a week, developed into a cultural exchange and correspondence between the Pictou Landing First Nation and the Amatlan Indigenous community.

Andrea has also been the recipient of numerous academic awards. She has been the two time recipient of the James A. Martin award for outstanding community service, two-time recipient of the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline Scholarship and the recipient of the Devon Canada Corporation Scholarship, just to name a few.

In her spare time, Andrea volunteers at many community events and has often represented the Chief and Council at speaking engagements. Ms. Dykstra actively encourages the youth in her community to pursue post-secondary education and come back to their roots, creating a positive and sustainable First Nation.

Andrea is the oldest child of Arnold and Debbie Dykstra. She also has a sister and a brother at home and a sister who is currently in her first year at St. FX enrolled in a Bachelor of Science. Andrea received her unique heritage from her father, a first generation Dutch immigrant and her mother, a Mikmaq woman born in Framingham, Massachusetts.

John Bennett (Atmosphere and Energy Caucus)

John Bennett is the Executive Director of the Climate Action Network of Canada (CANet). He was a founding member of CANet in 1989 and has served as its coordinator for the last three years. Greenpeace Toronto, the first office east of the Rockies, worked out of Mr. Bennett's home until an office could be found. Mr. Bennett worked on the Save the whale and seal campaigns. Subsequently, he helped launch the first Greenpeace Nuclear Power Campaign by leading a trio of activists into the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant, proving its security could not deter a terrorist attack. He also served on the Public Education and Outreach Table of the National Process on Climate Change. John is now a member on of the Advisory Committee on the Climate Change Hubs. For the last three years, he has headed the Sierra Club's atmosphere and energy campaigns, which include climate change, air pollution (The Ontario Campaign), energy policies and renewables, and the nuclear campaign. John is also a member of the Sierra Club's Executive Committee.

Lawrence Ignace (First Nation Representative)

Lawrence Ignace is a member of the Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation in North- western Ontario. Lawrence grew up in the town of Ignace (1000 people), where he gained many invaluable experiences and perspectives from growing up in a small town. He holds a diploma from Humber College (1993) and a Bachelors Degree in Geography/ Biology, with a minor in Environmental Studies from York University (1997). Lawrence hopes to ensure that First Nations are provided with the opportunity to equitably pass on and share their knowledge on how we as a society can live sustainably within our own means. From 1996 through 2001, he was the Senior Biologist and Projects Coordinator for Ontario Streams, and periodically was a Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources. In 2001, he moved to Environment Canada as the Environmental Assessment Specialist for Nunavut. As of April 2002, Lawrence has been with the Assembly of First Nations as Manager of the Environment Secretariat. More recently, he represented the Assembly of First Nations in a number of international-level functions, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).

Allister Marshall (First Nation Representative)

Allister Marshall is a member of the Chapel Island First Nation in Nova Scotia. He works for the Council of Chapel Island First Nation as an Indian Registry Administrator and a seasonal Fishery Officer. He has been working there for almost 30 years, first as a Welfare Officer for 10 years, then he went to the University College of Cape Breton and studied Natural Resources, where he received his certificate in 1998. He has participated with the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, the First Nations Environmental Network (FNEN), Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Coalition on Sustainability, Save Our Seas and Shores Coalition, Voluntary Planning - Environment Sector. In addition, he is a volunteer on a number of initiatives, such as the RCMPs Gun Registry, servicing fine options with the Department of Justice, and the Income Tax Program with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

Robert Sexsmith (Ontario Environment Network)

Robert Sexsmith has lived in a housing co-operative for 30 years. He was a member of the founding committee for Twin Pine Village Co-op. It was a four-year struggle to develop London's first continuing housing co-op. He has been on the Board of Directors (in one position or another) since moving into Twin Pine in September 1972. Robert has also been involved with the London Homeless Coalition as a member and vice-chair; London Housing Advisory Committee as a member and chairperson of the Neighbourhood Legal Services Committee; been board member and past chair of the Advocacy Centre for Tenants in Ontario; a board member and secretary of the Twin Pine Village Co-op Board; president and resident member of the Oaklands Housing Co-op. Robert is also a retired executive of CAW Local 27 Environment Committee (Co-Chair, responsible for community environmental issues); a delegate to London and District Labour Council; and a member of the Steering Committee of the Ontario Environment Network Labour Caucus (Treasurer).

Annie Ferncase (Health Caucus)

Annie Ferncase has spent many years overseas and has devoted her time and energy to children's health and education. Only in the last decade has she started more methodically connecting the dots between our health and that of the Earth's. For the last three years, she has been a member of the CEN's Health Caucus, which she feels has contributed greatly to her awareness, convictions, and activism.

Steve Rison (British Columbia Environmental Network)

Steve Rison lives in northeastern British Columbia and has been participating in a wide variety of activities with the BCEN for over 10 years, including being on the BCEN's board of directors or steering committee for six years. As a director, Steve has been thoroughly involved in governance, bylaws, and policy development issues and activities. His experience and interest in governance led to his participation in the CEN Reference Group when CEN was devising a process and contemplating transition to a different model of governance. Over the years, Steve has participated in a number of other consultation and advisory processes dealing with forestry, parks and wilderness, solid waste management, land use planning, and energy issues, including power generation and distribution. Steve is presently chair of CEN's Transition Board of Directors.

Doug Badger (Transition Board)

Doug Badger is president of the High Prairie Regional Environmental Action Committee for the past seven years. He has worked with many local environmental issues, including recycling bins, recycling courses in the schools, toxic roundup, and a recent video on recycling, "My life As A Plastic Bottle," which was a three-and-a-half-year project. Doug is also a board member of CEN's Transition Board, a member of the Alberta Environmental Network, a member of the Sierra Club, and the Forest Stewardship Council of Canada. He has participated and contributed to the following CEN Committees over the past three years: Policy & Bylaws, Aboriginal Liaison, and this year's Annual Conference on the Environment. Doug has been a member of the Sucker Creek First Nation for the past 46 years. He has been active with Native Dancing, and had an on-reserve business for 12 years. He says having a business on the reserve has helped him better understand the people there and his culture.

Julie Paquet (Nova Scotia Environmental Network)

Julie Paquet has been a Wildlife Technician with the Canadian Wildlife Service since 1999. After completing a Bachelors degree in Biology in 1995, she pursued graduate degrees in Environmental Sciences (1997) and Biological Sciences (1999). Throughout her academic years, she was an active member of on-campus environ-mental groups. Julie is now a member of the Tantramar Environmental Association (Sackville, NB) and the Nappan Project Association, an environmental education centre in Amherst, NS.

Molly Youngerman (Youth Environmental Network)

Molly has worked extensively with the PEI Eco-Net, culminating with the organization of a conference called "Youth Action 2002: Our Endangered Planet," held in PEI in September 2002, which was attended by environmental youth leaders from several provinces. Subsequently, Molly succeeded in securing funding from Environment Canada, through the Youth Environmental Network, to publish the first environmental youth newsletter. With help from other Eco-Net staffers, the first edition of Toward the Horizons included contributions of art, poetry, and environmental insights from the Atlantic Region. Molly continues in her lifelong learning and appreciation of the natural world, and encouraging activities that promote understanding and that respect our environment.

Michael Simpson, BC

Michael Simpson is executive director of One Sky-The Canadian Institute of Sustainable Living and has been a co-coordinator of the Canadian Environmental Network International Program (CEN-IP) for the past six years. One Sky currently works in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and El Salvador on environmental sustainability with a focus on human security and conflict. In Canada, Simpson has been involved in numerous CEN projects, including preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the formation of the Canadian Earth Summit Coalition, and several national capacity-building conferences, including a climate change conference held in El Salvador. Simpson has a background in documentary production and is a recipient of numerous awards, including a Genie nomination, top Wildlife Documentary Award, Best of Show for North American Environmental Educators Award, and others. He lives in Smithers, British Columbia.

Gabrielle Kretchmar, New Brunswick

Born, raised, and attended trade school and business college in Germany. Moved to Canada 1980, now Cdn citizen. Received several diplomas in correspondence courses, currently in an environmental science course; strong interest in environment and impact on agriculture/farming/food. Married, mother of two boys. Has owned and managed family business, Big K Ranch Ltd. since 1981; executive member of New Brunswick Partners in Agriculture; member of several provincial advisory committees, incl Farm Business Management, Agricultural Advisory Committee on the Environment, Family Policy; since 1990 member of NBEN and CEN, and since 2000 member of NB Climate Change Hub. Also worked on various research projects and reports, including 'Endocrine Disruption' by Conservation Council of New Brunswick; NB Rural Child Care Research Project; member of two climate change research networks; fully English/German bilingual.

Nashina Shariff, Alberta

I have been employed for the past year as Associate Director of the Toxics Watch Society of Alberta, a position that has allowed me the opportunity to pursue a variety of interests. Recent projects include research on the environmental impacts of beverage containers, research on the human rights implications of current and projected air pollution levels in the oil sands region of Alberta, and extensive research on air pollution management for thermal electricity generation, including global and regional emissions-trading, diversification of fuels, and conservation. Prior to my involvement with Toxics Watch, I worked as an advocacy assistant for the Environmental Resource Centre, where my primary responsibility was to advocate for a federal government assessment of the environmental impacts of proposed electricity exports from Alberta to the United States. While at this position I also completed an assessment of the environmental impacts of the World Trade Organization's negotiations in Doha and spoke about the environmental implications of G8 policy at a conference prior to the G8 meeting in Kananaskis last summer. I have a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Queen's University where I majored in Physics and minored in Mathematics. While in Kingston I also worked at a shelter for homeless youth and helped to run a summer employment program for these youth. Although originally from Alberta, I attended high school in Kenya and have travelled extensively in that region as well as through much of South and Southeast Asia, Western Europe, and North America.

John Michael Lannon (NLEN Rep)

Born and raised in Newfoundland and grew up in Alberta, John Michael has always been active in community issues from oceans to forests. He has been part of the leadership in his province that has led to major changes in government policy and legislation. Nominated and received numerous awards provincially and nationally, John Michael now sits on the board of the new chapter of CPAWS in Newfoundland and is the chair of the NLEN.