Expert Guests & Speakers

Elder's Bio

Elder Heather Poitras, from the Sawridge First Nation located in Treaty 8, has spent most of her life in Treaty 6 territory. As an elected Sawridge Elder Commissioner, she humbly provides guidance to her Council and community. Following Matriarch teachings, she is holistic in her approach and always sees the bigger picture. Proud of both her First Nation and Métis culture, she strives to ensure that her people, the original people of this country, are included in every aspect of society.

Recently retired, having over 30 years of service with the federal government, she dedicated her career to Indigenous awareness and culture. Elder Heather continues to create awareness of Canada’s true history, helping with the healing process and improving relationships. Elder Heather was the Elder-In-Residence at the Canadian Forest Service Northern Forestry Centre (NoFC) and for the Circle of Nations part Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Nokwewashk Reconciliation unit.

Terra's Bio

Terra Lottermoser is a collaborative leader and facilitator who specializes in bringing diverse knowledge together in ways that are accessible, meaningful, and actionable. As Director of the Alberta Regional Caribou Knowledge Partnership (ARCKP), she leads a multi-sector initiative focused on strengthening relationships and supporting knowledge exchange among Indigenous communities, researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers working toward caribou conservation in Alberta.

Terra began her career as a field technologist studying everything from beetles to fish before discovering a passion for policy, facilitation, and knowledge mobilization. She now focuses on helping complex environmental information reach diverse audiences in ways that support collaboration and real-world change. She has led and supported a range of initiatives, including the Wetland Education Network and contributed to research that informed the development of Alberta’s Wetland Policy.

She holds a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Calgary and a diploma in Forestry Technology from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Before joining Fuse, Terra worked as a Forestry Technologist, Senior Policy Analyst, Coordinator of the Alberta North American Waterfowl Management Plan Partnership, and founder of Lilium Consulting. Terra continues to pursue ongoing training as a facilitator and graphic recorder to support collaborative environmental work.

 ARCKP

Mike's Bio

Mike Toffan knew early in life that he wanted a job that allowed him to work in nature. As the Founder and Executive Director of Project Forest, Mike secures land, creates planting plans and raises funds for Project Forest’s rewilding projects. Connecting with people and communities is among the most impactful parts of his work through Project Forest. Mike values his opportunity to contribute to making a positive impact in people’s lives through building forests; this is a rare and extremely fulfilling part of his job. One of Mike’s biggest passions is to share the human impact stories of his work and inspire people to find their own way of making a positive impact in the world.

Project Forest

Michael's Bio

Michael Wagner is a Registered Professional Forester and the Provincial Coordinator for the Alberta Forestry and Parks Watercourse Crossing Program. He has focused much of his 20 year career on understanding watershed management issues in Alberta’s watersheds, particularly along the east slopes. His graduate degree in forest hydrology and professional experience has led to an in-depth understanding of wildland hydrology and how the impacts of human development (like roads and forest harvest) and natural disturbances (like wildfires) modify watershed response in terms of streamflow, water quality, and aquatic ecology. Presently, as the lead of the watercourse crossing program his focus is on managing the complexities surrounding “big data” and the identification and remediation of watercourse crossings found to be fragmenting fish habitats.

Alberta Forestry & Parks

Sarah's Bio

Sarah is developing a long-term monitoring program to evaluate the effectiveness of restoration strategies for caribou habitat recovery in Alberta. She holds a BSc in Forestry and a Master’s in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. Her background in Alberta’s forestry industry, combined with a strong commitment to wildlife conservation, informs her work bridging ecological science and land management in her role as a Restoration Ecologist at the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute.

Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute 

Court's Bio

Court Rustemeyer is a Calgary-based outdoor educator with nearly 20 years of experience working with youth and educators across Canada. A National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow and best-selling author of Mentorship in the Wild, Court is passionate about building leadership, connection, and confidence through experiential, game-based learning rooted in nature.

GEOEC

Amit's Bio

Amit Saxena currently does not have a biography.

Forrest's Bio

Forrest is a certified teacher with outdoor education and environmental monitoring experience, who is dedicated to helping students explore various forest and environmental careers opportunities.

Work Wild

Laura's Bio

Laura is a Registered Professional Forester and an experienced environmental educator. She enjoys birdwatching, hiking, and spending time in the forest.

Work Wild

Aaron's Bio

Aaron Krips is a Communications Coordinator for Work Wild. Aaron recently graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and now works for the Alberta Forest Products Association, creating engaging content and promoting forestry careers.

Work Wild

Trevor's Bio

Trevor Nichols runs the Junior Forest Rangers (JFR) program. Trevor has been with JFR for the last ten years, but before this job, he worked as an avian field biologist for Bird Studies Canada and the Toronto Conservation Authority. Trevor has brought his passion into the JFR program to teach others how to identify birds. Being able to ID birds takes a lot of practice, and Trevor is happy to help get you started!

Junior Forest Rangers

Abel's Bio

Abel Eldhose is an Environmental Technician student at NorQuest College with a profound dedication to wildlife conservation and stewardship. His commitment to the field is highlighted by his international experience in Cuba through the Global Skills Opportunity with CELEI Regenerative Learning, where he gained unique perspectives on global conservation practices.

Having served as a Teaching Assistant, Abel has successfully mentored peers by sharing the technical knowledge and field skills acquired during his studies. An avid outdoorsman, he frequently spends his time hiking or visiting zoos to deepen his understanding of diverse species; outside his academic pursuits, you can find him at McDonald’s, serving the community.

NorQuest College

Colin's Bio

Colin Harris currently does not have a biography.

Emily's Bio

Emily Williams currently does not have a biography.

Diane's Bio

Diane Haughland currently does not have a biography.

Shannon's Bio

Shannon Wagner currently does not have a biography.

Corrina's Bio

Corrina Copp currently does not have a biography.

Sarah's Bio

Sarah Kristoff currently does not have a biography.

Sara's Bio

Sara Barszczewski currently does not have a biography.

Erin's Bio

Erin Humeny currently does not have a biography.

Alen's Bio

Alen Petrovic currently does not have a biography.

Claudio's Bio

Claudio Quinteros currently does not have a biography.

Adam's Bio

Adam Robb currently does not have a biography.

Ben's Bio

Ben Cress currently does not have a biography.

Samantha's Bio

Samantha Brett currently does not have a biography.

James's Bio

James Agate currently does not have a biography.

Caitlyn's Bio

Caitlyn Lawrence currently does not have a biography.

Robert's Bio

Robert Matheson currently does not have a biography.

Doug's Bio

Doug Dewar currently does not have a biography.

Yvette's Bio

Yvette Rath currently does not have a biography.

Travis's Bio

Travis Butler currently does not have a biography.

Matthew's Bio

Matthew Woofter currently does not have a biography.

Alex's Bio

Alex Drummond currently does not have a biography.

Cilena's Bio

Cilena Marshall currently does not have a biography.

Patti's Bio

Patti is the Executive Director of the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory that has been monitoring migratory and breeding bird populations in northern Alberta since 1994. She is also the Director of the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation; an exciting education and research centre located in Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park.

Patti is passionate about the importance of community engagement and connecting people to the scientific research that takes place at her station. Using her unique ability to combine her experiences as a biologist and a teacher, Patti has created innovative hands-on education programs that connect visitors of all ages to the world of boreal birds and why we need to care about them.

Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory