Board & Team
Daniella Gastaldello
Board President
My daytime is bustling with the raising of three beautiful kids, slowly building my hobby farm dream, and because that’s not enough, I also have my day job running the refillery in Delainey’s Centre, fullFILL Williams Lake. I try to live my day-to-day with intent, embracing a mix of the old way, and the minimalistic way, to live with as little impact on the environment as I can. And I hope to pass on knowledge of self-sufficiency and conservation to my children in hopes of building a better future.
Emma Swabey
Treasurer
I joined the board in 2019 when I learned how much work the CCCS does to support engagement, environmental education and future building in the community. It is my first time acting on a board of directors and I am so appreciative of the opportunity to learn from folks who are so engaged with and passionate about the CCCS work. Over the past 10 years my career has revolved around natural resource/environmental management and municipal waste and recycling. Much of the work that CCCS undertakes brings community awareness and education to these areas.
The impacts of climate change to our environment and our future is something I spend a lot of time thinking about. My own path to climate awareness started when I was a kid, participating in fun, environmental programs and events similar to what CCCS provides. My hope is that I can support CCCS to continue its work in encouraging citizens to learn about, appreciate and advocate for the natural world around them. We are so dependent on the natural world - for our joy, curiosity, sustenance, for everything.
Photo: Laureen Carruthers Photography
Bill Lloyd
Board Director
I was fortunate to grow up enjoying the Cariboo Chilcotin wilderness and developing a respect for this wonderful part of our country. In my adulthood, I have worked in resource industries and construction both here and overseas. If I could make some small difference promoting sustainable resource management and improved environmental stewardship, I would consider my contribution to CCCS a success. Much of our population today is disconnected from the natural world surrounding them. This has to change in a hurry as we confront climate change and our ever-increasing footprint on this Earth. It’s important that we nurture the thought of a healthy environment, creating a healthy society, so that the mistakes of our past are not repeated.
Rodger Hamilton
Board Director
Conservation, education and community are three values which I share with the Society; I believe these values are the foundation for building solutions to the challenges we collectively face going forward. I am pleased to serve the CCCS Board and Staff in their work.
Photo: Laureen Carruthers Photography
Rick Dawson
Board Director
The CCCS has a long history of constructive and meaningful engagement with the people and issues in the Cariboo-Chilcotin to maintain and improve the quality of the environment and the quality of life for people. I am honoured to be a member of the board. I have hiked and paddled throughout the Cariboo-Chilcotin in the 30+ years I have lived here and enjoy learning about and experiencing the variety of natural ecosystems we have in this area. My work as a research ecologist, forester and natural resources planner has also given me an appreciation of the natural riches around us the need to understand and care for them. So, volunteering with groups that work to understand and care for the world around us is a natural thing to do and puts me in contact with very interesting people.
Martin Kruus
Board Director
I’m originally from Ottawa (immigrant family of six). My wife, Catherine, and I have been in the Cariboo since 2003 when we returned from working in Moshi, Tanzania. We both love the outdoors, especially non-motorized recreation of all types. In my capacity as a teacher with the school district I try to encourage kids to become a responsible part of the natural world around them. I used to be a Survey Engineer and worked in silviculture in the Kootenays. We have three young wonderful home-schooled children. I am proud to serve on the CCCS board, having tried every position but president over the past 5-6 years.
Photo: Laureen Carruthers Photography
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Michael Moses
Board Director
I am a Secwepemc (Shuswap) and Nłeʔkepmxc (Thompson Salish) Water Protector.
"Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have stewarded the lands and waters in this place known as Canada. Through advanced practices, grounded in Indigenous law, these ways of knowing and being have supported abundant, thriving ecosystems."
Over the last several years, I have begun to stand up for what I believe in, and a lot of these views and beliefs align with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society. I look forward to working with this great group of people, along with Water Wise and Waste Wise!
Kukstsémc.
Amber Gregg
Board Director
I was introduced to the world of Conservation during my time as the Program Coordinator for CCCS. The important work that this organization is doing has reduced water use and waste in the Cariboo Chilcotin area since it started, and I am thrilled to continue to be a part of this great team. My family and I are grateful to live in the Williams Lake area, where we enjoy biking, hiking, paddling, skiing, and exploring.
Amandah Cullum
Coordinator, Sustainable Life Education
What do you do at the Conservation Society? I work with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society’s Board of Directors, staff and members to promote healthy, vibrant, and sustainable living amongst the constituents of our stunning region. I help coordinate, organize, support, report and perform ‘all other related duties as required’ to get the job done. I am also a certified Early Childhood Educator and am excited to be able to bring with me one of my most favourite programs that I have created over the past couple of years; Forest Friday! I enjoy collaborating and working with all of the amazing community members, children and families, and organizations that contribute to and support the work of Waste/Water/Sustainability education in our community!
What do you like most about Nature? Nature is everything to me; it is the heartbeat of life… whether I am walking or foraging in the forest, paddling on the lake, cross country skiing, immersed in the garden or exploring and adventuring with my three children or with the young children and families that I get to spend my Fridays with… my most favourite and memorable moments are in nature. I have dedicated myself to educating the next generation with the intentions of conservation so they will also be able to enjoy nature, to be able to grow and thrive within it, as much as I have.
Jenny Howell
Water Wise Instructor / Executive Director
What do you do at the Conservation Society? I teach kids of all ages as much as possible about water conservation, watershed health and how they can help keep our water healthy into the future. This includes class sessions, an annual 'Earth Challenge', as well as many field trip opportunities. I also teach kids that come to Gavin Lake about wetlands, species at risk, watersheds, ecological footprints and the science of snow.
What do you like most about Nature? We are nature, but as a species we have lost sight of this somewhere along the way and treat 'nature' as something separate from us. Unless we learn to live sustainably again we will continue to damage the very life support system that we depend on. I hope that Water Wise helps kids to start thinking about how we are part of everything around us, as we talk about how much water is in their bodies, how that water is 'ancient' and has been part of things before being part of them, and how it will continue on round the water cycle after it leaves their bodies. At Gavin Lake, kids can actually spend some time in the forests, wetlands and on the lake and start to build those connections further.
Photo: Laureen Carruthers Photography
Mary Forbes
Waste Wise Instructor
What do you do at the Conservation Society?
I am the Waste Wise Community and in School Educator and a Composting Coach! I visit schools in our district from Williams Lake to Wells, Tatla to Bridge Lake sharing ways people can do little things that make a big difference in how much garbage we each create. I love games, telling stories, meeting new people and making a difference so being the "Recycle Lady" is a dream job!
What do you like most about Nature?
I like the way nature smells. All the different ways it smells, weird, delicate, floral, sharp, pungent. I really like the way a hot working compost pile smells (like dirt). The way those smells connect us to memories, experiences and each other. I want nature to keep smelling like fun, sun, food and family, not like garbage.
Brianna van de Wijngaard
Communications Coordinator
What do you do at the Conservation Society? I help coordinate and execute community events and campaigns. I also contribute to advertising and promotional work for the society, such as newspaper articles, radio ads, and outreach materials.
What do you like most about Nature? I love the way it makes you feel like you're right where you belong! And observing how everything - even you - has a job and a place in Nature.
Oliver Nerger
Chief Green Officer
What do you do at the Conservation Society? I am the newly appointed Green Officer for the society. This involves a multitude of tasks all falling under the one category, which I enjoy: waste management. Educating people about composting helps reduce our organic & food waste, also teaching children and adults about recycling helps minimize our plastic and paper waste. As well I get to enjoy educating our community on the benefits of conserving our water usage and how we can greenify our lives and businesses.
What do you like most about Nature? I like nature mostly because of what we can learn from it. Everything we have learned and use as humans occurred in some form naturally, in nature. Simply spending time in nature we quickly adapt to the way life flows in the forest or the river and learn how different parts of these systems interact with each other. Implementing these interactions and reactions in our everyday lives can be a priceless feeling.
Vanessa Moberg
Marketing Coordinator
What do you do at the Conservation Society? I help with the society's marketing efforts especially our social media channels, website, newsletters, brochures, and other outreach tactics.
What do you like most about Nature? Being in nature is a feast for the senses and restorative for the soul. I am always grateful for time spent outdoors or in the presense of wildlife.
