Our Team

 Cathy is currently an Associate Habitat Restoration Biologist with 8Trees Inc, specializing in hydrological system monitoring. She graduated with an Honours B.Sc. majoring in Biology from the University of Waterloo in 1993, and has 27 years of experience working on wildlife restoration and conservation projects. Some of her responsibilities at 8Trees Inc. include conducting field work, analyzing data, preparing reports and proposals, and help mentor younger staff, students and volunteers in the field. Cathy also conducts outreach events and builds partnerships with landowners, municipalities, and agencies to gain support for several ongoing projects. 

Katharine is a Research Associate with 8Trees Inc., an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Brock University, and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo. She is also currently a member of the COSEWIC Amphibian and Reptile Specialist Subcommittee as well as a member of the Fowler's Toad Recovery Implementation Team (2011 to present). She received her B.Sc. in biological science from the University of Guelph in 2008, M.Sc. in biology from Laurentian University in 2010 under supervision of Dr. Litzgus, and her doctorate in Renewable Resources from McGill University in 2018 under supervision of Dr. Green.  She is currently pursuing several research projects; including ecological restoration of degraded wetland ecosystems, investigation of human activities on amphibian behaviour and survival, and investigating quality of reptile habitat across a range of natural and impacted states. Visit her LinkedIn and ResearchGate for more information.

Michael works for 8Trees Inc. as a  Field Biologist. He received his BSc (Hon) in Ecology and Geography from the University of Guelph in 2019 and completed a college Graduate Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College in 2020 (CERPIT). While in the field, he enjoys learning about how the topography of an area can impact the diversity of wildlife and plant communities that reside there. Having an avid interest in herpetology from a young age, he aims to continue working in the field of conservation with the goal of protecting the reptiles and amphibians that had such a profound impact on his life. 

 Justin is our Resource Management Technician and licensed Exterminator (Forestry) here at 8Trees Inc. He graduated with a Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management (BBRM) majoring in Environmental Management from the University of Guelph in 2020, with a minor in Music. During his studies, Justin developed a keen interest in the concept of ecosystem services and the conservation efforts that surround them. Before joining 8Trees Inc., Justin worked on West Nile Virus control in the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Region.

 Erica completed her M.A. in Communications, Popular Culture and Film at Brock University in 2017. She has been working as the Social Media Coordinator for 8Trees Inc. since January 2018. Some of her responsibilities include public communications via social media and creating new educational posts about species-at-risk and updates on ongoing 8Trees Inc. projects. She also worked as an online English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, and is currently pursuing a law clerk diploma.   

James is currently working for 8Trees as a Research Technician and will start his Master's degree in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo in January 2023. His research project will be under the co-supervision of Dr. Stephen Murphy and Dr. Katharine Yagi. James graduated from Nipissing University in spring 2022, with a B.Sc. (Honours Specialization) in Environmental Biology and Technology, and completed his diploma in Environmental Technician - Protection and Compliance in 2020. James' MES research will include studying the dynamics of an impacted Eastern Foxsnake population in southwestern Ontario.

Bethany is a Biologist with 8Trees Inc. She received her B.Sc. in Environmental Science from Royal Roads University in 2017 and her M.Sc. in Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health in 2023 from The University of Edinburgh. Her thesis was supervised by Dr. Louise Beveridge, with Anne Yagi (8Trees Inc. President) as a local advisor. Her dissertation work focused on a case study of ecological engineering for stormwater treatment. She also holds an Environmental Technician diploma from Centennial College (2016) and completed continuing education courses in Field Methods for Ecological Restoration and Restoration of Freshwater Aquatic Systems at University of Victoria. Before joining 8Trees, Bethany managed the Wildlife and Stewardship Office at Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council. She also has experience as an Environmental Scientist working in contaminated sites and in technical laboratory and environmental R&D roles in the automotive industry. During her undergraduate studies, she consulted on water conservation for a major municipality. Bethany uses her interdisciplinary skillset to manage projects and navigate through multi-stakeholder situations with the goal of improving communities and ecosystems through the application of sound science and research. She is currently involved in the 8Trees Wainfleet Bog Restoration Project and does research and policy analysis for Environmental Impact Studies. She is known by friends as the ‘Soil Queen’, as she enjoys turning her friends’ lawns into edible/native plant communities.

 Alanah graduated from the University of Toronto with her B.Sc. in 2020, majoring in Ecology, Evolution and Molecular Biology. She worked for 8Trees Inc. as a student field technician during the spring and summer of 2017, as part of the student mentorship program. 

She is currently working as a research assistant for Dr. McMean and studying lipid levels and stable isotopes in freshwater fishes through changing seasons. 

Curtis Abney earned his BES from Trinity Western University (in Langley B.C.) in 2014 and graduated from Brock University with an M.Sc. in Biological Sciences in 2019. He worked for 8Trees Inc. from January 2017 to 2019 as a Field Biologist specializing in snake ecology and biology. He has four years’ experience working and teaching in the field, and in the lab.  

Curtis is currently a Biological Control Field Monitor for OKSIR in Vernon, BC.

Byron Garcia graduated from Niagara College with his Protection, Security, and Investigation (Private Security) Diploma in 2016, and graduated from Fleming College with a diploma in Ecosystems Management Technician in 2018. He worked for the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority as a Park Attendant at the Long Beach Conservation Area. He worked for 8Trees Inc. in the summer of 2018 as a Biologist Technician Intern.  Byron worked for the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks as a Park Warden at Darlington Provincial Park. He is currently pursuing training at the Ontario Police College.

 Brie-Anne first started working in wildlife conservation during her undergraduate degree, when she worked as a summer student with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. She graduated with a B.Sc. in Fish and Wildlife (minoring in Geographic Information Science), from Michigan State University (MSU). After assisting with dendrochronology research at MSU and working with the Wildlife Disease Lab with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Brie-Anne went on to acquire her M.Sc. in 2019 in Environmental Life Science, researching amphibian environmental DNA at Trent University.  Brie-Anne worked at 8Trees Inc. from May 2018 to July 2020, as a Field Biologist, where she was the lead biologist investigating the effects of human activity on the dispersal and survival of the Fowler's Toad in Niagara. She is currently employed by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)  as a Species at Risk Intern with the Species at Risk Branch in Peterborough, Ontario.

 Rebecca is a graduate from the Biological Sciences program at Brock University, and volunteered in the lab of Dr. Vasseur. After switching out of the biomed program, Rebecca has found a passion for ecology and conservation. She aims to pursue her M.Sc. and PhD in order to work towards a career in conservation of amphibians, reptiles and marine biodiversity. Rebecca worked for 8Trees  Inc. as a Student Field Technician (summer 2020) as part of the student mentorship program. 

Rylee is an undergraduate student in the Biological Sciences program at Brock University. After volunteering in Dr. Vasseur's lab at Brock, she has found a passion for working with plants and wildlife. Rylee aspires to complete an M.Sc. to gain more research and applied skills in ecology and conservation. She aims to end up working in conservation, particularly with marine ecosystems. Rylee worked for 8Trees Inc. as a Student Field Technician (summer 2020) as part of the student mentorship program.

 Helen was our Associate Forestry Expert and provided assistance and support for several of our Environmental Impact Study projects. She received her Bachelor of Science in Forestry (B.Sc. F.) from the University of Toronto in 1996, and has worked for MNRF as a Resource Management Specialist from 2004 to present.  Helen provides expertise and mentoring in forestry, plant identification, Ecological Land Classification, soil characterization, and wetland evaluations. Helen returned to her position as an Integrative Resource Management Technical Specialist, with MNRF in 2021.  

  Matthew is a B.Sc. graduate in Biological Sciences and Environmental Sustainability from Brock University (2020), and has graduated with a diploma from Niagara College in the Environmental Field and Laboratory Technician program in 2017.  He completed his undergraduate thesis project in the lab of Dr. Tattersall. Matthew worked with 8Trees Inc. as part-time student field technician in 2019, as part of the 8Trees Inc. student mentorship program, and took on a larger role with the company as a Field Technician for the summer of 2020. He is currently pursuing his M.Sc. at Leiden University, in the Governance of Sustainability program.

 Theresa worked for 8Trees Inc. as a Habitat Stewardship Biologist and Volunteer Coordinator from 2017 to 2021. She graduated with her B.Sc. in Ethnobotany, minoring in Anthropology, from the University of Hawaii in 2010, and completed her M.Sc. in Biological Sciences at Brock University in 2016. Her M.Sc. research focused using photographic time series to quantify age-specific changes in morphology and survival in Rhizocarpon geographicum over a 4-yr period at Illecillewaet Glacier, BC. Theresa has since taken an avid interest in the field of herpetology. During her time in the field, Theresa enjoys familiarizing herself with the native flora including rare plants, lichen, and fungi of the Niagara region. She is currently employed as a Planning Ecologist at the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA).

Cole currently worked for 8Trees Inc. as a Seasonal Field Technician from 2020 to 2021. Prior to working at 8Trees, he was working in the HVAC and Refrigeration trade with a focus on programmable logic controllers and as such is intimately familiar with various instrumentation equipment. The skills he acquired in that industry are put towards building habitat for snakes and repairing instrumentation. Cole is enjoying exploring a new world of opportunities and seeing first hand how his technical skills could be applied to support an exciting and fulfilling field of study. He is currently studying JavaScript, SQL and various Linux architectures in his spare time and hopes to support his co-workers through software development, geared towards environmental and biological studies in the future.  

Co-op student Spring 2021    

Priya is a B.Sc in Life sciences graduate (McMaster University), and currently a 4th year undergrad at Brock University in the Environmental Geosciences Co-op program. She is passionate about sustainability, climate change research, conservation methods and wildlife rehabilitation. Priya aspires to complete a masters degree in conservation so that she can use ecological theories on real-world conservation issues. Outside of academics, Priya has been a classical dancer for 10+ years and enjoys working in outreach programs.

Co-op student Spring 2021    

Savannah is a B.Sc. graduate in Environmental Science with a major in Ecology (Guelph University), and is currently completing a M.A. in Sustainability (Brock University) and a graduate diploma in Applied Health Science (University of Western). She is passionate about the intersection of human and environmental health, environmental education, and nature connection. Outside of academics, Savannah is a ceramicist and an aspiring naturalist with a focus on native plants and trees.

Brock University GEOG 4F99 Intern (Fall 2021- Winter 2022).

Brock University GEOG 4F99 Intern (Fall 2021- Winter 2022).

Brock University GEOG 4F99 Intern (Fall 2021- Winter 2022).

Brock University GEOG 4F99 Intern (Fall 2021- Winter 2022). Student Field Technician (Spring 2022).

 Co-op student, Brock University (Spring 2021, Winter 2022)    

Calvin graduated from Brock University in the Geography Co-op program in the spring of 2022. He is passionate about measuring the effects of climate change on natural ecosystems and understanding how the various species are adapting. Calvin aspires to continue to study the severity of climate change on multiple scales in order to peruse environmental stewardship as well as contributing to climate change problem solving efforts. Outside of academics, Calvin enjoys adventuring, cooking, fashion, record collecting, and taking care of his house plants. 

Wynne graduated from Brock University studying biology and physics. They completed an independent research project in the lab of Dr. Tattersall, and has had several responsibilities in the Tattersall lab as a volunteer, including assisting other graduate students with their projects. Wynne plans to continue research with species at risk and animal physiology throughout their educational career. 

Wynne worked for 8Trees Inc. as a part-time field assistant starting in 2019 to 2021, as part of the 8Trees Inc. student mentorship program.

Student Field Technician (Spring 2022).

Student Field Technician (Spring 2022).

Student Field Technician (Spring 2022).

Student Office Assistant (Brock University, Co-op program, Spring 2022)