Maxine Bennett

Dr.'s Bio

As the Professor & Chair of the Renewable Resources Department at the University of Alberta, Dr. Nadir Erbilgin earned his PhD from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 2001, followed by post-doctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley, until 2007. After joining the University of Alberta as a Canada Research Chair, Nadir became a full professor in 2017. Nadir’s expertise in forest health, reflected in top-tier publications, conference invitations, Senate testimonies, and substantial funding, spans invasive biology and chemical ecology.

Over the years, Nadine has supervised numerous researchers and students, hosted international scholars, secured grants, and maintained an impactful publication record. Nadir’s service contributions extend to leadership roles, academic committees, and international peer review activities, while his teaching commitments have remained consistent over the past 15 years.

Renewable Resources - University of Alberta

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

Alix's Bio

Alix is focused on supporting the development of the new SFI Urban and Community Forestry Sustainability Standard. As part of SFI’s urban and community forestry team, Alix works to increase the resiliency and sustainability of communities, both large and small. She is passionate about urban forestry and creating sustainable standards for the forest sector.

Before joining SFI, she worked as a tree specialist at a nursery, a landscape technician for the City of Edmonton, and was part of the environmental team at the District of North Vancouver. Alix holds a Bachelor of Urban Forestry from the University of British Columbia and is pursuing an Environmental Management Certificate from the University of Calgary.

Tim's Bio

Tim Patterson was born Morris Coutlee who is a member of the Lower Nicola Indian Band that belongs to the Scw̓éxmx (“People of the Creeks”) a branch of the Nlaka’pamux (Thompson) Nation of the Interior Salish speaking peoples of British Columbia Canada. Tim grew up in Revelstoke where he began his passion for mountains. Tim developed Zuc’min Guiding by combining his Academic, Indigenous and Guiding knowledge together to advance Indigenous Knowledge of the mountains.

Zuc’min Guiding