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

Jennifer Rogers

Restoration Project Manager

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

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. 

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.

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.

Kim Sheppard

Grant and Contract Coordinator

B.Sc., M.Sc.

Kim Sheppard leads grant development and supports conservation funding strategy at the B.C. Wildlife Federation, advancing habitat restoration, stewardship, education and climate-resilient conservation initiatives across British Columbia. She brings over 15 years of experience in science communication, stakeholder engagement, and editorial leadership, with a background spanning animal science, agriculture, and environmental health.

Kim has worked on a range of environmental and conservation initiatives, including habitat and species stewardship projects, applied ecological research, and science-based communications for national research organizations, crown corporations, and community partners. Her work focuses on securing and managing funding, supporting accountability to diverse public and private funders, and translating complex science into clear, compelling narratives that support conservation action.

She holds a B.Sc. in Animal Science and two M.Sc. degrees—one in Applied Animal Welfare and one in Science Communication and Public Engagement. Based in Guelph, Ontario, Kim enjoys hiking, canoeing, camping, fishing, and exploring Canada’s natural spaces with her family and friends.

Rebecca Dodge

Restoration Practitioner

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

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.

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.