Liz loves to be in natural spaces, poring over plants and watching for birds. She works as a restoration ecologist for CRD Regional Parks. Prior to living in Victoria, Liz had the privilege of traveling extensively and has worked in scientific research in Winnipeg and Ottawa, taught middle school science in Indonesia and India, while raising her two boys in four countries. Liz has been a volunteer all her life, serving on several boards of directors and is committed to conservation and education.

Lawrence has spent much of his life involved in music and finance. Lately he has been spending much of his time outside volunteering on restoration projects. Many afternoons he can be found in Rithet’s Bog working as part of the Rithet’s Bog Conservation Society. He also dedicates time as a director on the boards of numerous other local non-profit organizations. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and a Master of Environmental Studies.

Katie A.H. Bell is a biologist in conservation, currently working as the Conservation Information Coordinator for the BC Region of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. When Katie moved from Toronto to Victoria to complete her Masters of Biology in 2010 (studying chronic stress in garter snakes in response to the presence of people and pets in Saanich parks), she quickly felt at home. Katie was determined to find her dream job in Victoria and sought out efforts to work with HAT. Katie first became involved with HAT in 2015, as a volunteer helping with the bat project, with invasive species removal and youth programs. In 2017 she was contracted for the role of Bat Stewardship Coordinator. This fondness for the bat program has led Katie to volunteer for the annual bat count every summer and install a bat box in her backyard (and at her parents' home on Pender Island). She delightfully joined the HAT Board of Directors in 2020.

Charlie Gordon (he/him) is an immigrant settler of Hong Kong Chinese and British ancestry. Charlie has lived in Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories since 2006. Studying at the University of Victoria he received an undergraduate and Master's of Arts degrees in Environmental Studies. His Master's thesis "Environmentalism in an age of reconciliation: exploring a new context of Indigenous and environmental NGO relationships" researched how BC environmental NGOs approach their work with Indigenous communities in collaborative campaigns. Charlie has been working with the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for the last 4 years; first in species-at-risk protection and now in climate change preparedness with Indigenous Nations and organizations to build resilience to the impacts of climate change. When not tied to a computer screen, Charlie can be found in his natural habitat exploring the mountains and forests by bicycle, accompanied by his furry canine companion Kalum.

Julie has worked for the BC provincial government for over 25 years, as a policy analyst, manager, and lawyer. Environmental law and policy was Julie’s first field of work as a lawyer and public servant and remains an area of special interest to her. Julie also has a Ph.D. in Public Administration and has taught at the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University. Julie loves to spend as much time as possible outside, usually by hiking or gardening.

Andy is a forest ecologist who lives in Metchosin, BC. His recent research interests include ecology of BC’s ectomycorrhizal fungal species. He was lead BC scientist for Environment Canada’s 2017 ranking of our province’s threatened and endangered fungal species. Andy has taught rainforest ecology field courses in Bamfield and Tofino (for the University of Victoria) and Haida Gwaii (for UBC). He has also taught mushroom identification courses in Tofino (for the Rainforest Education Society) and in Victoria. He is co-author of six best-selling books about plants of western North America, and co-author of the newly published Royal BC Museum Handbook “Mushrooms of British Columbia”. He is past-president of the South Vancouver Island Mycological Society (SVIMS) and organizer for Botany BC, and an enthusiastic participant, speaker and field trip leader for various botany and mushroom events across BC.

Kaaren Lewis is the former assistant Deputy Minister BC, Environmental Stewardship.  Kaaren brings extensive experience and public sector leadership in the BC and federal governments in championing nature conservation and stewardship.  Kaaren is currently leading the design of the new BC Conservation Fund for the BC Parks Foundation, and their VP of Conservation.  We are grateful to Kaaren, for her interest in HAT and her commitment to volunteer with the HAT Board of directors.