Board of Directors

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. 

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.

Audrey is a forest biologist who works for the Natural Resources Canada at the Pacific Forestry Centre in Victoria. Audrey works with a team who manages the natural resources on federal lands across the province, particularly on southern Vancouver Island, working on projects related to invasive species management and protection of species at risk. She has always had a passion for nature and the outdoors and can often be found hiking, volunteering on restoration projects, or enjoying a quiet spot outside in the forest. She holds a BSc and MSc in biology with concentrations in forest biology.

KJ (They/Them) is a fourth generation Irish immigrant settler born in downtown Toronto and also raised in the bush of Saugeen Treaty 45 ½. A passionate outdoors person and nature nerd, you may catch KJ on the water or trails or volunteering at one of HAT's restoration events in Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories.

A fish and wildlife ecologist by training, KJ has spent most of their career living in remote coastal areas (within BC and from East Africa to Nunavut) focusing on community-centered conservation and community participation in research. KJ currently resides in Esquimalt and part-time in Nuu-chah-nulth Territory working for the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation on their stewardship initiatives.

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Leslie represents the 5th generation of her family to work in the field of Cultural Awareness, a legacy that began with her Great-Great Grandfather, George Hunt, who worked with anthropologist, Franz Boaz to record the cultural heritage and practices of the Kwakwaka’ wakw People. Leslie is also a Great- Granddaughter of the late Chief Mungo Martin and the eldest Granddaughter of the late Chief Henry Hunt, both of whom were internationally renowned artists as well as Master Carvers for the Royal BC Museum’s totem pole restoration project

With this inspirational legacy as a guiding force, Leslie provides opportunities to enhance and/or develop awareness and appreciation for the cultural diversity within Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. In her current capacity as the Cultural Programmer for the Capital Regional District’s Parks, Leslie relays information that reflects an Indigenous perspective from pre-contact to post-contact history with cultural authenticity and integrity.

Leslie McGarry is a member of the Kwagiulth First Nation, one of several bands within the Kwakwaka’ wakw territory, located on the northeast part of Vancouver Island and she is grateful for the generous hospitality of the LƏḱᵂƏŋƏn (Songhees), Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) and WÁSANEĆ Nations.

Ian was born and raised in Victoria, on lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Territory, and his connection with the lands and waters of southern Vancouver Island motivate him to get outside often, hiking the hills, snorkelling the coastlines, and sailing the seas of this beautiful part of the world. Ian's curiosity for the natural world led him to earn a BSc in biology from the University of Victoria and continues to inspire his hobbies of gardening, sailing, and ecological restoration. Ian has spent the last decade leading and supporting consultation and engagement efforts with Indigenous communities across western Canada, including in his current role as Manager, Regulatory Engagement with the BC Energy Regulator. Ian has always sought out opportunities to support local non-profit organizations as a volunteer, including serving on the boards of the Victoria Hospice Society, Restorative Justice Oak Bay, and PMAST (Peer Mediation And Skills Training).