Hulitun Spulhxun/Tumuhw Coordinator
Alyssa (she/her) grew up on Bowen Island where she fostered a love for the outdoors and especially for coastal landscapes. She is an avid backpacker, ocean swimmer, and budding naturalist. Alyssa completed her undergraduate degree at SFU in Indigenous Studies, Biology, and Geography. She also completed a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration on Historical Ecology. In particular, her research interests centered on land-use histories and Quw’utsun/Indigenous food systems in the Cowichan Estuary. Alyssa now works with NTBC as the Hulitun Spulhxun/Tumuhw Plant Nursery Coordinator as part of the Estuary Resilience and Quw’utsun Estuary Food Systems Revitalization Project.
Raven
West Coast Field Operations Technician
Geoff grew up in a small town in the South Okanagan called Summerland and spent his summers swimming in the glacial-fed waters of Seton Lake. Now an islander, Geoff spends his free time exploring everything the west coast has to offer. Geoff has a passion for the mountains and enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping, rock-climbing, and boating. Geoff completed a Criminal and Social Justice Diploma program at Okanagan College. In 2026, he graduated from University of Victoria’s Restoration of Natural Systems diploma program. Geoff joined the West Coast Conservation Land Management Program in 2023 as a Field Operations Technician.
Sea otter
West Coast Land Management & Major Project Coordinator
A true west coaster, Shawn (he/him) has lived, worked and studied his entire life surrounded by the beautiful landscape and unique climate of the region. Previously employed with BC Parks as Senior Park Ranger and as a field tech with the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation, Shawn has extensive experience working in the back country of Vancouver Island and has witnessed firsthand the importance of protecting and conserving our ecologically sensitive areas. Field work has always been Shawn’s specialty as he now oversees all the field operations for the west coast region of NTBC and the West Coast Conservation Land Management Program. Shawn holds a diploma in Resource Management Officer Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Protection from Vancouver Island University. Shawn joined the West Coast Conservation Land Management Program in 2016. When he isn’t working, Shawn can be found exploring the outdoors with his dog, Piper.
Roosevelt elk
West Coast Land Manager
Tom Reid is the Program Manager for the West Coast Conservation Land Management Program (WCCLMP). This program is an innovative partnership focused on conservation, stewardship and management of sensitive ecosystems along the coast of British Columbia and includes NTBC, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Province of BC, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and several First Nations. Tom has been leading the delivery of this program for nearly two decades, managing more than 110 conservation areas and overseeing several large restoration projects. He has led the implementation of the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund “Enhancing Estuary Resilience” project focused on monitoring and restoring 20+ estuaries throughout the coast of BC in partnership with 20 First Nations.
Pacific salmon
www.linkedin.com/in/ tom-reid-935323396
West Coast Senior Restoration Technician
Sonja (she/her) brings extensive experience working in remote locations with a wide range of fish and wildlife to NTBC. She grew up exploring the South Coast on foot and by kayak, which fostered her passion for conservation and ecology on the West Coast. She has been involved in a variety of projects and surveys in collaboration with Parks Canada, First Nations, and other environmental organizations. Sonja has a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Biology from University of Victoria. Sonja joined the West Coast Conservation Land Management Program in 2019, and now works on the Restoration, Monitoring, and Inventory team.
Rough-skinned newt
www.linkedin.com/in/sonjapanozzo
West Coast Restoration and Monitoring Technician
Hannah (she/her) grew up in Vancouver exploring the South Coast’s natural environment through hiking, skiing, cycling, kayaking, and canoeing. Finding herself happier near or on the water, Hannah’s interest grew for coastal ecology. Following her love of the outdoors, Hannah completed BCIT’s Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Diploma program to pursue a career in conservation. Hannah received a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science at Dalhousie University. Hannah moved to Nanaimo to join the West Coast Conservation Land Management Program in 2023 as a Restoration and Monitoring Technician.
River otter
www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-stoakes-b916a6205
West Coast Field Operations Coordinator
A lifelong islander, Curtis’ awareness and appreciation of the natural world began early. Spending summers at the cabin amongst the old growth trees around Cameron Lake (Cathedral Grove), and later pursuing birds and photography subjects in the urban parks and green spaces next to his home in Nanaimo. Following his passion to be outdoors, Curtis completed the Forest Resources Technology Diploma program and an undergraduate degree in Geography at Vancouver Island University. Curtis started as a Summer Crew Supervisor with NTBC in 2018 and now holds the position of Field Operations Coordinator, conducting fieldwork, surveys, and data collection throughout coastal BC.
Yellow-rumped warbler
