PLANNING INTO THE FUTURE.

​In 2011, the SRWS Board of Directors reviewed how the organization meets the mission, shared what they are passionate about, what motivates them to be involved, and how they will continue to be accountable to the SRWS' members, partners and community.
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Here is the outcome:

2017 STRATEGIC REPORT.

A Strategic Report was completed in 2017 to identify key priorities and directions for the next 5 - 10 years. A copy of the document can be found below:
squamish_river_watershed_society_strategic_report_2017.pdf
File Size: 6478 kb
File Type: pdf
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Francesca Knight, Past-President
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Francesca Knight, RPBio has more than 20 years of experience as an Environmental Scientist, with expertise in the fields of environmental impact assessment, aquatic biology, and ecological risk assessment.

Knight has managed a variety of environmental projects, including:
    •  long-term and complex amphibian risk assessment
    • land development feasibility studies
    • habitat evaluations for land development / infrastructure project applications
    • aquatic biological monitoring programs for evaluation of adverse impacts to aquatic biota              resulting from physical habitat disturbances and/or contaminant discharges
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Her experience covers work in environmental policy and development at the local government level. She has served on the emergency response team for the District of Squamish, providing technical support to District Council, community, and senior environmental agency staff during two significant environmental disasters.

​She has served in the capacity of Senior Habitat Biologist with DFO, out of the Lower Fraser Area office, conducting review of a variety of development projects for compliance with the Fisheries Act, and in accordance with DFO’s Habitat Management Program and operating policies. In particular, Knight has been involved in the evaluation of effects to fish and fish habitat resulting from the operation of independent run-of-river hydroelectric projects. ​​​

Shelagh Thompson, Treasurer
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Shelagh Thompson graduated from SFU School of Resource and Environmental Management in 2009 where she received a Master's Degree in Resource Management (MRM - Planning). Her graduate work focused on tourism and water resource management. She currently is eligible for membership with the Planning Institute of BC (PIBC) and the Canadian Institute of Planning (CIP). At present, Thompson is employed by Swim BC as the Office Manager.  ​​

Jordan Uittenbogaard, President
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Jordan Uittenbogaard graduated from UFV in 2009, obtaining a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He furthered his education with a diploma in the Fisheries and Wildlife program offered at VIU. Early in his career, Uittenbogaard worked various fisheries contracts through DFO stock assessment, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, and lastly the DFO Salmon Enhancement program. Jordan is currently an Operations Manager for the Tenderfoot Creek Salmon Hatchery in beautiful Squamish, BC.

Vicki Marlatt, Director
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​Dr. Marlatt has extensive expertise in environmental toxicology, endocrinology, animal physiology, and molecular biology/toxicology in vertebrate and invertebrate models. Through conducting, designing and managing numerous field and lab based animal studies in these areas she is proficient in several techniques at the molecular, organ and whole organism level. 

Her current research program focuses on environmentally relevant, low-level chronic exposure scenarios to multiple environmental contaminants and their impacts in biota at the molecular and  organism level.  In addition to maintaining a research program in environmental toxicology, Dr. Marlatt teaches several environmental toxicology courses at Simon Fraser University in one of the few professional environmental toxicology programs in Canada. Collectively, she has practiced in the field of environmental toxicology and biology for fifteen years within academic, industrial and government settings.

Alex Cairns, Director
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Alex grew up, lives, and plays in Squamish. He is active in the community, riding, and maintaining mountain bike trails, sea, and river kayaking, as well as sitskiing. Since retiring from ski racing, Alex has enjoyed making connections in the sea to sky to complete projects like monthly garbage clean ups, and building a multi-use shelter. This shelter, a  rest stop, will also become a place where visitors can learn about the surrounding history and ecosystem. He is currently Enrolled in Environmental studies at Capilano University. A member of the SORCA trails committee since 2022, that involves advocating for responsible trail use, ethical building, as well as communicating with builders and landowners. 

Nikki Wright, Advisor
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Nikki Wright has been engaged in community organizing since the 1970’s. She is an environmental educator, conservationist and leader. In 1998, she began her journey as the Executive Director of SeaChange Marine Conservation Society. With the support of the Canadian Wildlife Service in 2001, she initiated and  has helped guide the Seagrass Conservation Working Group. She passionately believes small groups in community are the real agents of change for a more protected coast.