Spring 2021 at HCTF has brought an election of our at-large Directors, and some changes to our Board. We want to thank our outgoing Directors who have graciously and generously given their time and expertise to lead our organization over many years. The following is a small excerpt about our outgoing Directors:

Our longest-serving Board member Winifred Kessler joined in 1997 when the organization was known as the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund. Over her 24 years of dedicated service, Wini regularly took up a leadership role on the Board (Chair or Vice-Chair). She was a champion of the organization and a strong promoter of the education program. An internationally recognized wildlife biologist, Wini always brought a strong sense of energy and enthusiasm for conservation to her work.

As a Director for 9 years, Ian McGregor led the organization’s strategic planning and chaired our communications committee. Having joined HCTF after first serving on the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s Board, Ian understood the importance of cooperation and partnership between like minded conservation organizations in BC. Along with his significant technical fisheries expertise, Ian reveled in celebrating and raising awareness of HCTF – and recognising that the hundreds of habitat conservation projects that HCTF funds are implemented only with many partners working together.

We also welcome our new Director Kathy Parker. Kathy is a wildlife ecologist and physiologist with extensive experience throughout BC and Alaska. At the University of Northern British Columbia, she was a researcher and teacher for 25 years and was a founding member of what is now the Ecosystem Science and Management program. Kathy has also been named a Fellow of The Wildlife Society (an award given to individuals who have distinguished themselves through exceptional service to the profession).

Following our Director elections, we selected our Board leadership (Chair, Vice-Chairs). Greg Anderson will lead our Board as Chair, along with Harvey Andrusak and Ken Ashley as our Vice-Chairs. All three are multi-term Directors at HCTF, and as with all our Directors bring a significant amount expertise of BC’s fish, wildlife and habitat conservation.

For a complete biography of Kathy, Greg, Harvey, Ken and our other Directors, you can find their bios here.