Denise Beaven

Jeremy's Bio

Jeremy is a professional biologist, soccer coach and awesome Gran Turismo driver who has worked in the Alberta Oil and Natural Gas sector for 20 years.

Professionally, Jeremy has driven amphibious ATVs in the middle of the night looking for toads, jumped out of helicopters to search for rare plants, and had a few too many close calls with bears. Personally, Jeremy is a father of three kids, enjoys computer coding in his spare time and is always training for the next marathon.

Canadian Natural

Bob's Bio

Bob Jackle has worked for West Fraser for almost 29 years and started testing effluent in the lab at a pulp mill as an Environmental Technologist. Through the years, Bob has done many jobs including process expert, relief supervisor, shift supervisor, technical manager, and general manager.

West Fraser

Michelle's Bio

Michelle Harris is an environmental educator with over 12 years of experience in her field, and truly loves helping people to connect with outdoors and become inspired to want to protect it. As an Assistant Manager with WILD Outside, Michelle helps this high-school age conservation leadership program run smoothly not only in Alberta, but from Winnipeg to Vancouver as well. When Michelle is not working with this fantastic program, you can find her out kayaking, camping, downhill skiing, and doing citizen science with iNaturalist.

Canadian Wildlife Federation: WILD Outside

Elder's Bio

Elder Heather Poitras, a member of the Sawridge First Nation (Treaty 8), is currently serving as an Elder for her Nation. Elder Heather grew up by the Kehewin Cree Nation (Treaty 6). Proud of both her First Nation and Métis culture, she has dedicated her 25+ year federal career to Indigenous awareness and culture. 

As the Elder-In-Residence at the Northern Forestry Centre (NRCAN) in Edmonton, she also played an instrumental role in the establishment of the We Walk Together Forward – Indigenous Learning Centre at the Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, Alberta.

Elder Heather Poitras, a descendant of Big Bear, comes from a long line of leaders. Her chapan (Cree for great-grandfather) J.F. Dion, one of the founders of the Métis Nation of Alberta, ensured that the Métis in Alberta had land base. The only province to do so.  

Elder Heather strives to ensure that her people, the original people of this country, are included in every aspect of society. She has been dedicated to creating awareness of Canada’s true history, to help with the healing process of reconciliation, and to improve relationships.

Northern Forestry Centre