For general inquiries and information please contact: lehna@swell.ca

Lehna Malmkvist (President)

Lehna is an environmental consultant, she is an RPBio and has extensive professional and academic experience in applied ecology. She completed a B.Sc. in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria in 1998 and obtained an Interdisciplinary M.Sc. at the University of Victoria in stormwater management and aquatic habitat restoration in association with residential, agricultural and commercial development in 2003. 

Her professional focus is on rainwater/stormwater management, watershed management, terrestrial, freshwater and marine restoration design and implementation projects, and natural areas protection and management (e.g. covenants, plant salvage and invasive species management). She has developed expertise in ecological site assessments, site design, restoration, environmental monitoring and construction supervision.

Brenda Beckwith (Vice President)

Brenda is currently working as the Senior Laboratory Instructor for the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria.  Since she completed her PhD on the ethnoecological reconstruction and restoration of the edible root food, camas (Camassia spp.), in Garry oak ecosystems in 2004, she has worked as a Sessional Instructor in Environmental Studies, an ethnobotanist for Parks Canada, and Land Stewardship Manager for the Salt Spring Island Conservancy.  At present, she consults with conservation organizations that are actively managing and restoring Garry oak ecosystems as well as private homeowners who are interested in ecological gardening and incorporating restoration activities into their own backyard landscapes.  During her time off, she can be found working on her small organic farm in North Saanich just north of Victoria.

Val Schaefer (Secretary)

Val is an educator and urban ecologist who has conducted numerous community projects on environmental education and habitat enhancement. He has been the Faculty Coordinator of the Restoration of Natural Systems Program at the University of Victoria since 2005. Previously, he taught Biology at Douglas College for 25 years and was the Executive Director of the Douglas College Institute of Urban Ecology for 20 years. He received a B.Sc. from McGill University, a M.Sc. from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D from Simon Fraser University. Val is a co-author of the book: Urban Biodiversity. He is a recipient of the BC Minister of the Environment’s Award for Environmental Education, and the BC Society of Landscape Architects’ Award for community service.

Dave Polster (Treasurer)

Dave is a plant ecologist with over 30 years of experience in vegetation studies, reclamation and invasive species management.  He graduated from the University of Victoria with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in 1975 and a Master of Science degree in 1977.  He has developed a wide variety of reclamation techniques for steep/unstable slopes as well as techniques for the re-establishment of riparian and aquatic habitats.  He is the past-president of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association in and is a founding member of and is the treasurer for the B.C. Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration.  He serves on the board of the Invasive Plant Council of BC.

Don Eastman

Thomas Munson

Thomas has worked with First Nations in the Yukon Territory, British Columbia and Colombia, South America, for much of the past 20 years.  His work experience on behalf of First Nations includes assessment of impacts of resource development on archaeological and cultural sites, ethno-botanical field studies, traditional use research, multi-party treaty negotiations and environmental impact assessment projects. Thomas received a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (B.E.S.) degree from the University of Waterloo in 1979, a Diploma in Ecological Restoration from the University of Victoria in 2003, and a Master of Science (Interdisciplinary) degree from the University of Victoria in 2006. 

Tamara Bonnemaison

Tamara is currently a restoration biologist for the Osoyoos Desert Society in the South Okanagan Valley, BC. Her professional interests focus on the use of native plants for restoration and landscaping, and on the involvement of the community in restoration activities. In her "spare time", Tamara is also an organic farmer, mother, and naturalist. Tamara has a diploma in the Restoration of Natural Systems from the University of Victoria.

Michael Keefer

Robert Seaton

Mike McPhee

Eric Higgs

Eric Higgs is a Professor in and Director of the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. From 2001 to 2003 Eric served as chair of the Society for Ecological Restoration International. His restoration research and practice is concerned mostly with historical ecology of mountain landscapes <mountainlegacy.ca>. He is the author of Nature By Design: People, Natural Process and Ecological Restoration.

Ryan Hilperts