Erinn Drage

Dr.Vanessa's Bio

Dr. Vanessa Swarbrick | Senior Science Advisor, Office of the Chief Scientist, Government of Alberta
Water 101 (Friday morning)

Vanessa Swarbrick is passionate about using science to advance the way we manage aquatic ecosystems and has worked on water-related issues across academic, non-profit, industry, and government sectors. As a scientist, she is interested in the intersection of limnology, biogeochemistry, and resource management.

From the highest alpine lakes to our prairie rivers and streams, Dr. Swarbrick’s research has evaluated the impacts of different types of pollution, like mercury, organic contaminants, and nutrients, on freshwater ecosystems in Canada. Since joining the Government of Alberta in 2014, she has focused on improving the way water is managed through science and monitoring, policy, and resource management programs. 

Office of the Chief Scientist

John's Bio

John Pomeroy | Distinguished Professor, University of Saskatchewan
Off-Site Tours - Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory (Saturday afternoon)

John Pomeroy is the Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change, UNESCO Chair in Mountain Water Sustainability, and Director of the Global Water Futures program and the Canmore Coldwater Laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan, Canmore.

Centre for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan

Global Water Futures

Kate's Bio

Kate Rich | Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas
Water Futures Panel (Friday 10:30-11:30)

Kate Rich, P.Geo., has led various strategies for the public and private sectors related to energy, climate change, water and land management – all with a focus on sustainable development. She has lived and worked in several cities across Canada and internationally. Her current role is the Assistant Deputy Minister of Policy in Alberta Environment and Protected Areas and the Stewardship Commissioner in Alberta’s Land Use Secretariat.

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas

Erinn's Bio

Erinn Drage | Programme Officer, International Union for Conservation of Nature - World Commission on Protected Areas
Youth Environmental Action Panel (Saturday Morning)

Erinn Drage is an environmentalist, filmmaker, protected areas enthusiast and outdoor adventure guide. In recent years Erinn has worked as an expedition guide in the Arctic and Antarctica, directed, shot, and edited digital media series’ for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and conducted research on nature-based tourism economies in the Denali region of Alaska.

Her first feature-length documentary, In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors, follows the story of the Sahtú Dene and the Canol Trail in the Northwest Territories. She currently works full-time in international conservation policy with Parks Canada and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), while pursuing her other passions by writing and editing film projects on the side. 

World Commission on Protected Areas