Alastair Craighead, Chair • Nitya Harris • Gary Holman, Treasurer • Mel Lehan
Nicole Mackay • Fred Newhouse • Briony Penn, Vice-Chair • Frances Pugh, Secretary
Mary Sanseverino • Tom Watson • Todd Wong
TLC Volunteer Board Minutes available online
Residence and Occupation: Victoria; Marine Engineer, DND.
Your interest, vision or focus with TLC: TLC must be strongly supported by a committed and diverse membership, and it must be fiscally sound in order to continue achieving success. I am committed to building such a foundation. I believe that strong and knowledgeable leadership is needed now, more than ever.
Skills, knowledge and/or experience that you are bringing to the Board: Experience and knowledge of government operations as a Victoria City Councilor and Director of Capital Regional District. Specific knowledge and focus of land and heritage issues. Significant experience and training in financial and general risk management. Honours Degree in Geography, land and land use. Extensive experience working in and with NGO’s, including significant experience as a Board Member and as Chair.
Your involvement with TLC: Volunteered with TLC on several projects around the Capital Region. Also worked with other organizations to build partnerships with TLC.
Membership in other Organizations: Involved with a variety of environmental NGOs, including Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Sierra Club, Valhalla Wilderness Society. Also involved with provincial and federal political organizations.
Occupation: Executive Director, Solar BC
Skills, knowledge and/or experience: I have previous experience as a Board Member, and an ability to work with different groups to develop a vision and action plans. I am experienced at finding a solution-based approach to conflicts and problems, and have the ability to promote and present the organization in public meetings.
Interest and Vision for TLC: My main area of interest is the protection of natural areas throughout B.C. and finding the ways and means to enable TLC to establish the best greenspaces protection program in Canada.
Involvement with TLC: I have been a TLC member since its early days, in 1998. I work actively to promote TLC with colleagues and friends, and I am an advocate for the protection of green spaces as appropriate.
Other Organizations: Previous Board member of: City Green; Greater Victoria Savings Credit Union; B.C. Sustainable Energy Association; Capital Bike and Walk Society. Previously a member of: Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park Public Advisory Committee; Provincial Capital Commission Greenways Committee; CRD Round Table on the Environment; Capital Regional District (CRD) Task Group on Atmospheric Change.
Occupation: Economist
Skills, knowledge and/or experience: I have an MA in Economics from Simon Fraser University, and over 25 years experience as a consulting economist, specializing in regional land use and resource planning. I have a background as a community activist, and was elected to represent Salt Spring on the Capital Regional District Board from 2002-2008.
Interest and Vision for TLC: My key focus is to ensure the financial sustainability of TLC. Some prudent risks are warranted to protect key properties, as long as they don’t jeopardize TLC’s viability. Communication to members and supporters about TLC’s financial status is also important to promote confidence in the organization.
Involvement with TLC: I have been a member of TLC since 1999, and served on the Board of TLC for two years (2000-2001). I ran unsuccessfully as an independent in the last TLC election, but was appointed to the TLC Finance and Audit Committee in 2009. I was subsequently appointed to the Board to complete a one year term vacancy.
Other Organizations: President of the Salt Spring Abbeyfield Association; Board member of Gulf Islands Alliance; Member of SSI Conservancy.
Mel is a long time community activist who is interested in preserving and protecting special places. Some of his successful projects include; saving a heritage church from being torn down and then turning it into a thriving community space – St. James Community Square; preserving the character neighbourhood of West Kitsilano by getting a bylaw to stop demolition of houses in that area; helping to have part of the Point Grey Foreshore declared a a natural foreshore in perpetuity and thus not allowing development in this oasis of urban nature. Mel was also instrumental in bringing a Farmer’s Market to Kitsilano.
Occupation: Self Employed- Researcher for the Cohen Inquiry as well as working as a naturalist and deck-hand during summer months in Port McNeill BC.
Skills, knowledge and/or experience: I have experience in planning community environmental demonstrations such as the paddle for wild salmon where 100’s paddled down the Fraser River in an effort to inform the public of the issues wild salmon are facing. In 2010 I was sent to Norway by the Wilderness Tourism Association to speak with fish farming industries operating in B. C’s waters. I am an activist, researcher and naturalist, and a very hard working young woman.
Interest and Vision for TLC: I have lived on Northern Vancouver Island for most of my life where I have been heavily involved in environmental issues there. The biggest of these would be the loss of wild salmon in not only my area but Vancouver’s as well. I want to get other young people involved in protecting important environmental habitats by teaching them the importance of species such as fish and the many species that depend upon them. I feel Vancouver is a great opportunity for me to get more young people involved and informed of environmental issues happening around them. It is easy to lose sight of these things when living in such a place as a city.
Involvement with TLC: I am a new member, so my involvement with TLC is only beginning. I am very excited to get going.
Other Organizations: Rotary, Wilderness Tourism Association, Raincoast Research, Sable Fish Association and Save our Wild Salmon.
Occupation: Consulting Forester
Skills, knowledge and/or experience: I have extensive experience with silviculture and woodlot management and issues relating to private woodlots licensing and organization. I also have a degree in Natural Resources Management and am currently active with the Board of the Sustainable Environmental Network Society.
Interest and Vision for TLC: Although I am a relatively new member to TLC, since the beginning of the year, I have appreciated the work that TLC has done over the years and its relationship to the work I have been involved with in private woodlot management. As a member from the Interior of BC, I am particularly interested in furthering TLC’s connections and involvement in this part of the province.
Involvement with TLC: A member of TLC since January of this year.
Other Organizations: Director, Sustainable Environmental Network Society; Exec. Director, BC Federation of Woodlots (2001-4); Director & VP Consulting Foresters of BC (1997-2000); Shuswap Okanagan Woodlot Assoc (various positions).
Residence and Occupation: Salt Spring Island; Writer/Researcher.
Your interest, vision or focus with TLC: As a Director, I will cherish and cultivate the skills, passions and contributions of members and staff that give so much to the work we all care so deeply about, and that sustain us – socially and financially. My professional work in conservation offsets will also provide new avenues for revenue generation to ensure that our legacy is protected.
Skills, knowledge and/or experience that you are bringing to the Board: Consultant to land trusts for biological inventory, communications, environmental education, including 8 years with the National Trust in Britian. PhD in Geography on land conservation; Adjunct Professor University of Victoria. Writer, researcher, broadcaster, journalist, lecturer, artist. Developing expertise in conservation offsets.
Your involvement with TLC: Founding director. Served several years on the Board of Directors; Extensive experience as volunteer, activist, attending and presenting workshops. Regular donor and holder of Conservation Covenant on family property; Worked on Stewardship Committee developing legislation for BC land trusts. Developing founding principles of TLC with other members/donors coming together to save places they loved.
Membership in other Organizations: Member of Land trust Alliance of BC; Director, Raincoast Conservation Foundation; member of Saltspring Conservancy; Environmental Advisory Committee, Islands Trust; Advisor, Child and Nature Alliance; Member, Sustainable Energy Association of B.C.
Occupation: Fruit and vegetable grower on the Saanich Peninsula
Skills, knowledge and/or experience: I bring a myriad of skills from my self employment: running a small business. As well, I have considerable non-profit organizational skills and knowledge from my role as Past Chair of the Saanich Inlent Protection Society, and from the experience of a very challenging past year on TLC’s Board of Directors.
Interest and Vision for TLC: I want to work to help TLC’s involvement in implementing the Greenspace Tax Levy passed by the CVRD. I also want to continue working for a more financially solvent TLC, to maintain and increase our membership, and to continue to support our staff and raise public profile. We need innovative campaigns to start to support past projects that need to, once again, be a focus of The Land Conservancy. Many properties need serious maintenance and upgrades. These issues need to be addressed before focusing on new acquisitions. We have to be more than just a “collector”.
Involvement with TLC: I have been a member of TLC since 2002, and a member of the Board of Directors since 2009. I am a fundraiser/supporter for the Sea to Sea Greenbelt campaign, and a proponent of the greenspace tax levies in the CRD and CVRD.
Other Organizations: Saanich Inlet Protection Society; Resident and Ratepayers of Central Saanich; Sea Change Marine Conservation Society; World Wildlife Fund; SPCA (Wild Arc); Alaskan Malamute HELP League.
Occupation: University professor; Director (Acting), Learning and Teaching Centre; Faculty member, Dept of Computer Science, UVic
Skills, knowledge and/or experience: Background in information technology and computer science. Web 2.0 skills. Administrative experience. Skilled in group facilitation. Organizational abilities. Writing, speaking, and promotional expertise. Photographic expertise. Social networking skills (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, blogging, Flickr, etc). Instructional expertise. Mapmaking abilities.
Interest and Vision for TLC: In the 1940’s, forester and environmentalist, Aldo Leopold, wrote: “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise”. For over 35 years his words have resonated with me and inspired a life-long curiosity into the natural world. I have written, photographed, travelled, blogged, mapped and shared my interest with as many people as possible. I am keen to help TLC stand up for the protection and preservation of the many diverse biotic and heritage communities we find throughout BC. I’m sure if Aldo were alive today he’d stand up and cheer for TLC!
Involvement with TLC: I have been a member of TLC since 2005. I have helped with writing, photography and presentations in support of the Sooke Hills and Ross Bay Villa projects, and in opposition to the incursions of off-road vehicles in our park system.
Other Organizations: Alpine Club of Canada, Vancouver Island Section; Amnesty International.
Occupation: Investment Advisor / Father
Skills, knowledge and/or experience: I have a good knowledge of finances, and have served as both Chair and Secretary for the Gorge View Housing Society. I am also a volunteer coach with Doncaster, Reynolds and Lakehill Soccer.
Interest and Vision for TLC: I have a lifeteme belief in working to support the environment and protect special places. I want to work to help TLC be on a stronger financial footing through an increase in its membership and profile.
Involvement with TLC: I have been a member of TLC for the last year.
Other Organizations: Currently working with the Lakehill Soccer Association.
Residence and Occupation: North Vancouver; Library clerk/assistant with the Vancouver Public Library.
Your interest, vision or focus with TLC: TLC’s membership-based organization gives great strength and endurance and must enable and empower people of diverse cultures, interests, regions and perspectives all to work together for common goals – protecting our shared heritage, environment and communities. It will take great courage and leadership, solid organization and financial skills, I offer dedication, skills, and networks, and look forward to making this happen.
Skills, knowledge and/or experience that you are bringing to the Board: Community leadership and team building skills; Non-profit involvement and board management experience; Events production, media/communications, fundraising, campaign management and networking skills; strong advocate; extensive knowledge of BC history; library and archival studies background.
Your involvement with TLC: Member, donor, volunteer; extensive work with TLC staff and management as a leader of the save Joy Kogawa House Committee to successfully protect and adaptively re-use this important historic site; public promotion of TLC through Gung Haggis Fat Choy and Kogawa House events; Accepted 2007 Vancouver Heritage Award of Honour for Kogawa House with Bill Turner of TLC.
Membership in other Organizations: President, Historic Joy Kogawa House; Co-President, Asian-Canadian Writers Workshop; Director, Canadian Club of Vancouver; Member, Vancouver District Labour Council and CUPE 341; Member, BC Book Prize Society; Coach, Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dragonboat Team.
