Our Staff

Tricia joined SPES as its new Executive Director on May 10, 2021. Tricia’s first experience with SPES, though, was over two decades ago when she volunteered as a school programs leader. Since then, Tricia honed her leadership skills in senior positions in the not-for-profit sector including time at Science World, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, BC Centre on Substance Use and most recently as ED with the BC Borstal Association. SPES is looking forward to Tricia’s contributions to strategic leadership, human resources, finance, operations, and change management. She is known for outstanding employee relations, developing strong stakeholder relationships, collaboration, communication, and delivering exceptional results.

With her passion for nature and our connections with it, Tricia is focusing her experience and skills on driving SPES’s mission. She is thrilled to be leading SPES! exec@stanleyparkecology.ca

Dacyn joined the SPES team in May 2022. He grew up in Calgary Alberta and moved to Vancouver to complete a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with an emphasis on Ecology, from the University of British Columbia. Dacyn has experience working in the fields of conservation, habitat restoration and environmental consulting through past employment in both the private and public sectors. Dacyn is keen to share his passion for preserving biodiversity with the community and to help play a part in contributing to preserving the ecological health of Stanley Park. Dacyn is looking forward to exploring the variety of ecosystems that Stanley Park has to offer, including all the interesting organisms that call the Park home. conservation@stanleyparkecology.ca

Alyx joined the SPES team in April 2017 and started as the Education Manager in June 2023. She has a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Planning and a Diploma in Ecological Restoration and Rehabilitation. Through the years, Alyx has had the pleasure to work on a variety of different projects exploring environmental education, science communications, and public engagement. In particular, she is passionate about experiential, place-based education, community building, and the importance of equitable access to nature. She is very excited to be a part of the SPES team.  

Ray joined SPES in June 2022 with over 20 years in the non-profit and charitable sector in progressive leadership roles including 5 years as Executive Director for a queer rights organization and neighborhood economic development association. In his role as Fundraising, Development, and Communications Specialist, Ray combines his background in education as a teacher of technology education with his business sense as a life-long learner specializing in integrated marketing strategies to translate complex scientific topics into engaging educational stories and experiences – ones that he hope will encourage and inspire support for the important work of SPES. As a Vancouver native, it is an honour and a pleasure to be part of the team stewarding and educating children and the public in one of the world’s most beautiful and natural urban parks, one which Ray has spent over a decade planning community events and fundraisers in. sponsors@stanleyparkecology.ca

Andy joined the SPES team as the Stewardship Coordinator in March 2022. He grew up in Southern California and moved to Vancouver in the fall of 2015 to study at the University of British Columbia where he received a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Conservation, with a major in Global Perspectives. Andy has worked with a mix of private sector, non-profit, and governmental organizations in environmental restoration efforts throughout the Lower Mainland of BC. Most of his work experience is in invasive plant management, having spent time working on tidal and terrestrial invasive plants throughout Metro Vancouver. Andy is also very interested in understanding how the goals of the Environmental Justice and Decolonization movements can be incorporated into the core of conservation work. Outside of work, he enjoys walking around the city, reading, playing old video games, and occasionally joining in alumni events with UBC’s Thunderbird Marching Band. Andy is excited to join SPES and assist with their ongoing restoration of Stanley Park’s beautiful ecosystems. stewardship@stanleyparkecology.ca

Marisa joined the SPES team as the Conservation Technician in March 2022. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Victoria concentrating in Marine Biology, and a Bachelor of Science in Ecological Restoration from BCIT. Marisa has worked mainly with local environmental non-profit organizations focused on bird conservation, and as a result has developed a love for birds. She is passionate about conservation, restoration, and connecting with volunteers, and is interested in the natural intersection between decolonization and conservation. In her free time, Marisa enjoys reading, playing classical guitar, and spending time with friends, family and sweet dog Henry. She looks forward to diving into the natural history of Stanley Park, and learning more about its ecosystems. 

technician@stanleyparkecology.ca

Kelsey joined the SPES team as the School Programs Coordinator in May 2023. She grew up in the Appalachian Mountains in Western Massachusetts and moved to Vancouver in 2014. She received a Bachelor of Science in Global Resource Systems at the University of British Columbia in 2018. Kelsey has spent time working as an educator with non-profits and within schools and she is passionate about increasing accessibility of environmental education and fostering a deeper connection to natural spaces for youth. In her spare time, you can find Kelsey exploring the North Shore Mountains by bike or on skis. enviroed@stanleyparkecology.ca

Anna joined the SPES team in September 2021. Growing up in Burnaby, she started volunteering with SPES in 2015 and fell in love with ecology! She completed a diploma in Fish, Wildlife and Recreation and a BSc in Ecological Restoration, allowing her to travel and see incredible ecosystems around British Columbia – as well as consider which conservation/social justice issues face these areas. From Haida Gwaii to Costa Rica, she has worked in tourism and enjoys starting conversations with love and humour! Her favourite pastimes are movie marathons, making soup, drawing, and napping with her scruffy dog. She is so excited to learn from anyone willing to chat and ponder with her – that’s what education is all about! publiced@stanleyparkecology.ca

Michael joined SPES in August 2017 after serving as communications volunteer for the past year and a half. With a B.A in Geography from UBC and a certificate in Fundraising and Non-Profit Management from BCIT Michael has enjoyed a varied career in the non-profit sector working as a fundraiser and program coordinator for The Land Conservancy of BC, and The Heart and Stroke Foundation among others.  When not at work, this Vancouver native can be spotted hanging out at English Bay, spending time with his dog Rhylee (the world’s cutest westie) and exploring all that Stanley Park has to offer. He is excited to join SPES and help people further connect with nature. contact@stanleyparkecology.ca

Sarah was thrilled to join SPES in July 2021 as Volunteer Coordinator, having moved to Vancouver the year before from the UK. Following the completion of a MSc in Sustainable Development and a BSc in Physical Geography, Sarah has held a number of roles in the UK’s non-profit sector, including in volunteer coordination and in the delivery of volunteer-led social action campaigns. Working with volunteers in the fields of conservation, education and community empowerment has always been a passion of Sarah’s. She is looking forward to engaging with SPES’s dedicated volunteers who generously donate their time to support the conservation of Stanley Park as well as empowering the future generation of environmental stewards. Sarah is a member of Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada and Volunteer BC. She spends her free time exploring the mountains and regional parks of BC, skiing, hiking and camping. vols@stanleyparkecology.ca

Jenna joined SPES in February 2023 after recently moving to Vancouver from Arthur, Ontario. She is educated in Landscape Architecture and Ecosystem Restoration, and interested in all things related to the environment and sustainability. She has a diverse work background of experience with the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, summers tree planting in BC, and running sustainability projects for the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. Growing up camping in different parks of Ontario fostered a passion for nature and exploring, which eventually led her to travel in Europe and Southeast Asia. In her free time, she enjoys camping, cooking, yoga, gardening, and daydreaming of future travels. She is thrilled to join the SPES education team and share her passion for nature in Stanley Park. educate@stanleyparkecology.ca

Chris joined the SPES team in March 2023 with backgrounds in outdoor education, environmental policy, environmental communication, environmental justice, urban ecology and urban design. In his undergraduate degree at SUNY ESF, Chris led outreach activities for campus programs while studying the interactions between people, policy, and the environment. In his graduate degree at UBC, Chris championed the role of community engagement within the landscape architectural design process. In his career as an outdoor educator in Southern California, Chris developed a passion for connecting people with the outdoors. Chris is excited to work closely with volunteers and community partners on education and conservation efforts in the park. Outside of work, Chris enjoys hiking, sailing, and coaching UBC’s quadball (the sport formerly known as quidditch) team. outreach@stanleyparkecology.ca

Dezirae joined SPES in June 2023 in the Urban Wildlife Programs Coordinator role after working with SPES during her studies at the University of British Columbia. Dezirae holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Certificate of Ethics: Theory and Application from Simon Fraser University. Additionally, she is pursuing further education in ecology and human-wildlife coexistence at the University of British Columbia. She has a diverse working history in the public sector, particularly in the areas of outreach, policy, data analysis, and public communication. Dezirae’s passion for wildlife welfare began during her childhood living rurally in British Columbia’s northwest, where she enjoyed coexisting safely and responsibly with grizzly bears.