……objective science for conservation…….

The Pacific WildLife Foundation is a non-profit coastal and marine research and education society  that inspires an appreciation for objective scientific research and conservation of the ocean. We conduct original research, develop novel education programs, and inspire an appreciation for conservation of the ocean. 

Associates

Ruth Foster, Associate

Ruth is a nationally recognized environmental education specialist. In 2006 she won the prestigious Canadian Environmental Award Gold Medal for Environmental Learning. Ruth spent three decades teaching high school students about nature. She and PWLF Director Rod MacVicar established a stream rehabilitation project that became a living classroom for thousands of students. Today the creek is alive with salmon. Ruth played a key role in establishing innovative courses in fisheries and wildlife and many of her students have gone on to complete graduate degrees in biology.  Now retired from the school, Ruth continues to teach through Simon Fraser University’s Department of Education and to mentor students at the fish hatchery.  More.

 Iain M. Jones, Associate

Iain is a Master of Science candidate at Simon Fraser University under the supervision of Drs. Butler and Ydenberg.  He is researching behavioural interactions between great blue herons and bald eagles.  Iain holds a diploma in Fish and Wildlife Management from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and a Bachelors degree in Ecology from Simon Fraser University.  His past experience includes implementing field studies and management activities for a variety of organizations including Fisheries and Oceans Canada.  Iain spent nearly a decade working as a mate and naturalist on board the Island Roamer as it sailed the remote coasts of the British Columbia and Alaska.  He brings to the PWLF a wealth of experience of the North Coast, its wildlife and a host of logistical talent. Iain is a biologist with Golder and Associates.

Sean Boyd, Associate

Sean Boyd has worked with colleagues and graduate students on a variety of migratory bird projects such as: the winter ecology and demographics of Snow Geese; winter and migration ecology of Brant Geese; abundance and distribution patterns of Trumpeter Swans; population demographics and behavior of Harlequin Ducks; habitat interactions and natal return rates of Barrow’s Goldeneye and Bufflehead; interaction between shellfish aquaculture and wintering scoters; migration ecology of Pacific scoters; migration ecology and abundance of Eared Grebes; and at-sea foraging distributions of Cassin’s Auklets. Many of his projects are long-term and involve radio-telemetry. Sean’s research is necessarily multidisciplinary and international in-scope. The objective is to provide scientific advice necessary to conserve migratory bird populations and their habitats in North America. Sean is a Research Scientist with the federal government of Canada and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University where he serves on graduate student committees at the Centre for Wildlife Ecology. Read more…

Holly Middleton, Associate

Holly is an ornithologist who was born and raised in Metro Vancouver. She has been a life-long naturalist. Holly holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Simon Fraser University. Her Master’s thesis researched post-fledging behaviour and dispersal of the American dipper.  She also has experience in projects researching shorebirds and herons, seabirds, grassland and cavity-nesting birds and freshwater birds. Holly is collaborating with PWLF to analyze Bird Studies Canada’s Coastal Waterbird Survey dataset to examine the role of the return of Bald Eagle numbers on the apparent decline in coastal seabird numbers. She is also working with Douglas College and Simon Fraser University on a project examining the effects of intensive agriculture on migratory birds on the Fraser River delta.

Todd Golumbia, Associate

Todd has been the Park Ecologist for Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in Canada since the park was established in 2003. He is an ongoing collaborator with the Pacific WildLife Foundation Black Oystercatcher Project. Todd holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Saskatchewan and an Master of Science degree from the University of British Columbia in Forest Ecology. He has worked at several National Parks in western Canada as an Ecologist and a Park Warden since 1982. The varied work as a Park Ecologist ranged across disciplines of natural and social sciences and freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems. From 1993 to 2003, Todd worked as an ecologist in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site in Canada.   

Wendy Szaniszlo, Associate

Wendy is a marine mammalogist who has worked on a variety of sea lion, gray whale and humpback whale research projects in collaboration with government, academic and not-for-profit organizations. Wendy holds a B.A. and MSc. from the University of Victoria. Her graduate work researched sea lion behavioural ecology and evaluated the sea lion viewing guidelines in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Wendy has worked with Parks Canada for 14 years in various capacities, most recently focussing on species-at-risk. She has also worked as a marine naturalist with Parks Canada, BC Parks, and local eco-tour companies. Wendy is collaborating with the PWLF to investigate the seasonal abundance and distribution of sea lions in Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds. This work involves characterizing haulout use by sex and age class. Wendy is working with Parks Canada to expand this project to Gwaii Haanas and the Gulf Islands National Park Reserves.

Mike McKinlay, Associate

Mike McKinlay was born in North Vancouver and raised in the Okanagan Valley. During his ten years as a cameraman, Mike's film subjects have varied from skateboarding to wildlife to West Coast culture. He has had the opportunity to work within the genres of both the corporate and documentary world. When not behind the camera recording an event, you will find Mike riding his skateboard. More