Andrea KwokVolunteer CoordinatorAndrea holds a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Education, and is currently working towards a diploma in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at UVic.
Her hope is to facilitate an empowered network of restoration enthusiasts to learn and grow their professional skills (and share ecological memes). She is a lover of swims at Curtis Point, dandelion tea, and knitting mittens for babies because she finds knitting thumbs to be difficult. Andrea uses she/her pronouns
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Derek LeschasinLead Event CoordinatorDerek is currently completing his third year of a Geography/Environmental Studies double major, as well as a diploma in Restoration of Natural Systems at Uvic, after a dalliance with journalism and communications.
Derek is interested in small endemic herbaceous plants, and their persistence in colonized landscapes. For fun, Derek likes hiking, biking, and yanking Scotch broom. Derek uses he/him pronouns
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Nancy ShackelfordAcademic DirectorRestoration of Natural Systems Program at the University of Victoria
"Mostly, I'm a restoration researcher, but I love boots-on-the-ground science, and I feel so privileged to be working with the RNS Program and its amazing array of students. Come to my office any time to talk science, restoration, community-engaged learning, and / or pop culture, football, food, really anything.....I always have a cup of tea or coffee at the ready, and comfy chairs for thinking about life in." Nancy uses she/her pronouns
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Jemma EasonMarketing Coordinator
My name is Jemma Eason, and I’m an undergraduate student at UVic studying towards a double degree in Economics and Environmental Studies, with a minor in Global Development.
As a local to Vancouver Island, I am passionate about restoring the ecosystems I've grown up in, and ensuring that future generation's can enjoy them too! Jemma uses she/they pronouns
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Kara MullinEvents AssistantKara obtained a degree in Environment and Urban Sustainability with a focus in environmental policy from Toronto Metropolitan University and is currently in her second year of the Restoration of Natural Systems program at UVic.
Her goals for the Mystic Vale site includes restoring the site to a more natural state while helping foster an educational and community space for students and others to enjoy. In her spare time she enjoys walks in nature, crocheting and complaining about car-centric infrastructure. Kara uses she/her pronouns
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David KrugVolunteer Support
Hello! I'm David Krug, a queer white settler of mixed European descent born and raised on the territory of the Mississauga and Credit peoples in what is known as Guelph.
Currently, I am an Environmental Studies MSc student in the Restoration Futures Lab at the University of Victoria, and support the UVic SER Student Association as a member of the executive crew. My current research focuses on supporting the development of local Indigenous and community-led native seed and plant supply systems. I am committed to adopting an imperfect and heart-centered approach to this research, acknowledging my position as a settler scholar. Beyond my academic pursuits, I find joy in spending time on any one of my many bikes, playing in and on the water, and cooking for my friends and family. David uses he/him pronouns
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VIDER Alumni
Rachel HigginsProject Lead and Founder of VIDERB.Sc Physical Geography, concentrating in Geomatics, with a minor in Applied Ethics
Rachel is currently in her fourth year at the University of Victoria and is working on her honours thesis, modelling glacial isostatic adjustment for the interior plains of British Columbia. She hopes to have a job in the field of geomatics and disaster mitigation. In her free time, Rachel enjoys being in nature with friends and a good book. Rachel uses she/her pronouns
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Madeleine WongProject AlumniB.Sc Environmental Studies and Anthropology,
Certificate in Restoration of Natural Systems Maddie graduated from UVic in 2020 and completed her RNS certificate in 2023. She is forever grateful that through VIDER, she developed lifetime connections with the incredible organizations and volunteers that dedicate their efforts to ecosystem restoration in BC. She is currently a Project Coordinator with Two Worlds Consulting, where she works with industry, government, and Indigenous clients on a wide range of projects, including environmental and Indigenous-led impact assessments and traditional land use studies. Madeleine uses she/her pronouns
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Isabel Elena SimonsProject AlumniBA (Hon) Political Science & Global Development
Isabel graduated from UVic in 2023. During her degree, she enjoyed volunteering as a VI Decade on Ecosystem Restoration coordinator and building relationships with special places and the people who care for them. Today, Isabel works for IISAAK OLAM Foundation supporting education and capacity-building projects that further Indigenous leadership in the conservation sector. Isabel uses she/her pronouns
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