BCWF Watershed Team

Neil Fletcher

Director of Conservation Stewardship

B.Sc., M.R.M., R.P.Bio.

Neil Fletcher is a Registered Professional Biologist with the College of Applied Biology. With a Master’s in Resource Management from Simon Fraser University and over a decade of experience, he has dedicated his career to protecting and restoring wetlands across British Columbia. He has managed more than 50 restoration projects, facilitated over 200 workshops, and trained thousands of participants, including government staff, First Nations, and community groups. He helped lead the Wetlands Workforce Initiative in 2021, supporting the maintenance of over 200 wetlands while employing more than 100 people as part of B.C.’s economic recovery plan. Neil works closely with governments, First Nations, and partners to balance hands-on restoration with education, permitting, and project management.

604-882-9988 / ext 232

Taylor Sounding Stone

Indigenous Relations Coordinator

Taylor Sounding-Stone is a Cree member of the Miskoziibi (Bloodvein) First Nation under Treaty 5. He is responsible for developing respectful partnerships with First Nations whose traditional territories overlap with BCWF project areas. Taylor works to move engagements beyond transactional to long-term stewardship partnerships. Committed to reconciliation and guided by UNDRIP, he has supported the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in wetland policy and ecosystem services protocols. He is currently studying Indigenous Studies at UBC Okanagan and co-hosts the award-winning Indigenous hunting series Yukon Harvest on APTN. He is also developing content for Miskoziibi’s website.

Jennifer Rogers

Restoration Project Manager

B.Sc., M.Sc.

Jennifer Rogers holds a Master of Science in Ecological Restoration, where she studied the effectiveness of GIS models in predicting suitable sites for beaver-based restoration. She supports the 10,000 Wetlands Project, which uses low-tech, process-based restoration methods such as beaver dam analogues and post-assisted log structures to improve watershed resilience. She is passionate about working with nature to restore ecological processes and is inspired by the strong work ethic and family dynamics of beavers. When not “beavering” in the field, Jennifer enjoys camping and hiking in the Coast Mountains with her rescue dog, Finn.

Geneva Bahen

Junior Restoration Practitioner

B.Sc.

Geneva Bahen holds a B.Sc. in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Dalhousie University, along with certificates in Geographic Information Science and Environmental Impact Assessment. Her undergraduate thesis focused on species distribution models for the American beaver in Nova Scotia. Geneva also has a strong background in outdoor leadership, having worked as a ski instructor, canoe trip guide, and gear library coordinator. She enjoys working in the field and is passionate about nature-based solutions.

Leanne McDonald

Intermediate Restoration Biologist

B.Sc., R.P.Bio., P.Ag.

Leanne McDonald has eight years of experience in environmental science. Her background includes restoration, consulting, park management, and agricultural research. She holds a B.Sc. in Wildlife Conservation and Natural Resource Management with a minor in Plant Sciences from the University of Guelph. Her work focuses on process-based and wetland restoration to improve the resilience of streams and wetlands to climate change and other disturbances. Previously, she led field programs for species-at-risk assessments, aquatic and terrestrial surveys, ecosystem mapping, and fish salvages. She has experience engaging with First Nations and regulators and navigating environmental legislation. Leanne enjoys hiking, canoeing, birding, camping, and practicing yoga in B.C.’s backcountry.

Haiden MacDonald

Restoration Project Manager

B.Sc.

Haiden MacDonald is a dedicated Fish and Aquatic Biologist with over five years of experience in fisheries science. He holds a B.Sc. in Natural Resource Conservation and returns to BCWF to support our growing restoration work across B.C. With a strong foundation in aquatic ecosystems and field-based conservation, Haiden plays a key role in designing and managing restoration projects that support fish habitat health and watershed resilience. 

April Blumberg

Junior Restoration Technician

BCWF Summer Intern

B.A.

Returning to B.C. Wildlife Federation for her second field season, April Blumberg is focused on helping create resilient wetlands through low-tech, process-based restoration. Working with the watershed team on the 10,000 wetlands project, she is passionate about conservation and has been working in the field since 2019. April has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental St. from Trent University and a wealth of experience working in the field in various capacities. Her background includes working in invasive species management, and environmental education. Originally from Ontario, April relocated to BC and has now been lucky to have worked across the province. Outside of work she is an avid traveler and enjoys camping, hiking, and paddleboarding.

Sabine Rankin

Junior Restoration Technician

BCWF Summer Intern

B.Sc.

Sabine Rankin holds a B.Sc. from Simon Fraser University where she majored in Biological Sciences and minored in Resource and Environmental Management. Prior to joining BCWF for the summer, she spent 3 years in an aquatic taxonomy lab processing benthic macroinvertebrate samples and specializing in the identification of freshwater zooplankton. She has also been involved in a variety of freshwater and marine monitoring and stewardship projects. Sabine has taken courses in ecological restoration at the University of Victoria and is further pursuing her passion for supporting ecosystem health with an M.Sc. in Ecological Restoration at BCIT, beginning in September. She hopes to build on BCWF’s low-tech process-based wetland restoration work through her thesis. Sabine enjoys exploring Vancouver Island and all its cool critters, playing ultimate frisbee, and making art. 

Katie Blokker

Fish Projects Coordinator

B.Sc.

Katie Blokker has a strong background in environmental consulting and a deep passion for conserving natural areas. She believes in the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. Growing up in Ontario, she was inspired by mentors who nurtured her respect for nature. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Northern British Columbia, specializing in Ecological Systems. Over the past eight years, she has worked in British Columbia and Alberta as a biologist and environmental professional. Her experience includes biological services for construction, commercial, and government projects, with a focus on fish salvage, stream assessment, and habitat compensation. Katie is an avid camper, hiker, and outdoor enthusiast with a strong interest in ecosystem restoration and wildlife.

Kyla Rushton

Intermediate Riparian Ecologist

B.Sc., P.Ag., R.P.Bio.

Kyla Rushton has been supporting wetland assessment and mapping work in British Columbia since 2021. She holds a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Lethbridge and gained early experience in wildfire response and rangeland management, which helped her obtain her Professional Agrologist designation. Her work has focused on riparian and wetland ecology, and she has contributed to projects in both non-profit and consulting sectors. Kyla specializes in wetland function assessments, ecosystem mapping, and drone operations. Outside of work, she participates in Penticton Search and Rescue, tends her garden, and enjoys hiking and river paddling with her dog.

Cassie Friesen (Stam)

Riparian Ecologist

B.Sc., M.Sc.

Cassie Friesen (Stam) has a Master of Science in Ecological Restoration and brings over six years of seasonal fieldwork experience to her work. With four years dedicated to fieldwork, including four field seasons with the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF). Her fieldwork expertise is focused on wetland ecosystems, covering classification, plant identification and associations, functional assessments (WESP and CNWI), delineation, and restoration design and implementation. Her broader field skills include soil assessments, identification of plants and communities, water quality sampling, and knowledge of the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC) system.

In addition to her fieldwork, Cassie has two years of teaching experience at the post-secondary level. She currently works at BCIT as an instructor in the Ecological Restoration Bachelor of Science program, teaching courses such as Wetland & Estuary Restoration and Climate & Climate Change Impacts.

Cassie is passionate about wetlands, native vegetation, endangered species, habitat restoration, and education. She currently lives in Chilliwack, BC, with her husband and two dogs, Flora and Otis. As a family, they love to go on hikes in the backcountry, camp, forage for local edible plants, and fish along the Vedder River.

Jamie Long

Conservation Stewardship Communications Coordinator

BBA

Jamie Long supports conservation communications across B.C., helping amplify the work of the BCWF’s Watershed Team. Dedicated to storytelling through visual media and writing, she shares the team’s impact across platforms—internally and publicly—with community groups, First Nations, funders, member clubs, media, practitioners, and the general public. She also supports metrics tracking, grant writing, and fundraising. Before joining BCWF, she worked independently in communications and spent several years growing food and living in both rural and urban communities across the province. These experiences deepened her appreciation for B.C.’s watersheds and their role in supporting resilient ecosystems and communities. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys working with natural fibres, gardening, cooking for friends and family, and exploring the outdoors.

Todd Huang

Grant and Contract Coordinator

B.Sc.

Todd Huang manages grants and contracts in support of conservation initiatives. He has worked in the non-profit sector for over six years, helping organizations grow and supporting the launch of new projects. Raised in Burnaby next to a salmon-bearing creek, he developed a love for nature through hikes and walks. He is passionate about biodiversity and is an avid citizen mycologist in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Rebecca Dodge

Restoration Practitioner

B.Sc., M.Sc., R.P.Bio (pending)

Rebecca (Becky) Dodge is a wetland restoration practitioner based on the South-West Coast of British Columbia. She holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Biology from Acadia University and an M.Sc. in Ecological Restoration from Simon Fraser University and BCIT. Before joining BCWF, Rebecca worked across academic, government, and non-profit sectors on projects ranging from carbon sequestration and salt marsh restoration to species-at-risk recovery and native plant conservation. At BCWF, she supports wetland restoration projects, including project planning, permitting, implementation, and effectiveness monitoring of restored sites. Rebecca also contributes to wetland assessments (WESP, CNWI) and low-tech, process-based restoration projects across the province. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, mushroom hunting, and exploring the local mountains.

Alana Higginson

Wetland Education Program Manager

B.Env.

Alana Higginson recently traded city life for mountain views in the Kootenays. With nearly a decade of experience in education and coordination, she has coordinated and delivered over 60 workshops across B.C. on wetland classification, stewardship, and conservation strategies. She works with communities, consultants, conservation groups, governments, and community scientists to promote environmental stewardship. When not rambling about bogs and swamps, Alana enjoys exploring waterways by paddleboard or canoe—often with a book in hand—gardening, experimenting with new recipes, and discovering trails and outdoor opportunities in her new community.

604-882-9988 / ext 238

Erika Kolli

Wetland Education Program Coordinator

BES

Erika Kolli grew up exploring the lakes, rivers, and wetlands of Ontario’s cottage country, which sparked her love for water and conservation. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, specializing in protected areas and ecological restoration. Erika describes herself as an ecologist passionate about connecting people with nature. She has worked in species-at-risk conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation, including roles with government and school boards in the Great Lakes region. Now based in Vancouver, Erika is committed to making conservation and education accessible to all. In her spare time, she enjoys singing Broadway tunes in choir, birdwatching, and discovering new coffee shops.

Emma Kingsland

Junior Restoration Practitioner

Emma Kingsland has been with the B.C. Wildlife Federation since 2018, supporting a variety of conservation projects. Since 2022, she has focused on beaver-based wetland restoration and the construction of beaver dam analogues. She is currently completing a degree in Resource and Environmental Management with a minor in Biology at Simon Fraser University. Emma has led community conservation initiatives like the Year of the Salish Sea and served on advisory boards for ecological projects. She aspires to become a Registered Professional Biologist and focus on community-based habitat restoration.

Birch Matkowski

Junior Restoration Biologist

B.Sc., R.P.Bio

Birch Matkowski has eight years of experience in biological monitoring and assessment across British Columbia, Ontario, and the Yukon. She has worked with conservation and government organizations to protect species and ecosystems at-risk. With the BCWF, Birch works on watershed conservation projects, with a strong focus on low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) as well as advancing wetland restoration projects by supporting the scoping, planning, implementation and reporting. In addition to restoration work, Birch supports data collection for the calibration of the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol (WESP) and the Canadian National Wetland Inventory (CNWI). Additionally, She serves as the technical editor for the Wetland Plants of BC field guide (2025). Outside of fieldwork, Birch enjoys canoeing, teaching pottery, and exploring with her dog, Roo.

Katerina Sofos

Wetland Practitioner

B.A., M.Sc.

Katerina Sofos discovered her passion for the environment in the fourth grade and found her love for fieldwork during undergraduate studies while assisting a graduate student in Churchill, Manitoba. She spent three summers working in the subarctic tundra and boreal forest, forming friendships with researchers—and even encountering polar bears. These experiences inspired her to pursue a Master’s degree in Geography at York University, where she studied climate change and the vulnerabilities of northern communities. In 2023, she worked in northern B.C. contributing to wetland assessments using the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol (WESP) and the Canadian National Wetland Inventory (CNWI). She later became a Field Crew Lead and developed a strong interest in northern bogs and Indigenous collaboration. Katerina hopes to become a Registered Professional Biologist and one day chase tornadoes in Oklahoma.

Nadia Pagliaro

Junior Wetland Practitioner

Adv. Dip. (Env. Tech.)

For the past two years, Nadia Pagliaro has focused on calibrating the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol (WESP) and has collaborated with First Nations on wetland conservation and restoration initiatives. She holds an advanced diploma in Environmental Technology from Fleming College, where she discovered her passion for wetlands. Her early career included work in turtle conservation and benthic biomonitoring. Outside of fieldwork, Nadia enjoys playing guitar, crocheting, and exploring new places.