Board of Directors

President – Malcolm Inglis

A long-time visitor to Mayne Island, Malcolm retired here in 2010 from a long and varied career in information technology, having worked in the private sector and at all levels of government. On Mayne, Malcolm gets to indulge his love of the natural world by working on restoring the natural state of his own property as well as helping out with the Conservancy’s restoration and invasive-species removal projects. He also coordinates the production of the Conservancy’s annual newsletter.

Vice President: Deb Foote

Treasurer – Alan Ryder

After nearly 30 + years working in an accounting and IT environment in Vancouver Alan retired to Mayne in 2006. His first contact with the Conservancy was with the Broom Action Team;soon after he joined the Board, becoming Treasurer early in his term. Alan also enjoys working on the web site, assisting with the design of office procedures and installing/maintaining the Society’s computer network.

Past President – Helen O’Brian

Helen has lived on Mayne Island since 1998, a steward of one of the original Japanese farms and has been a director of MICS since year one. She has a MA in Children’s Literature, co-founded the Vancouver Storytelling Society and has recently published Fin’s Swim, a book on the Fraser River.

Secretary – Don Enright

Don Enright is Past President of the Stanley Park Ecology Society. He works as a freelance planning consultant in the heritage tourism industry, working with parks, sanctuaries, historic sites and museums to help them plan, execute and develop their communications and visitor experience strategies.

Maggi Cheetham

Membership Committee Chair

Harold Kasinsky – Member at Large

Harold taught large undergraduate classes in cell biology and biochemistry for 34 years in the Zoology Department at UBC. He is now retired but continues to study DNA-protein patterning in developing sperm nuclei of animals and plants. He also helps remove Scotch broom from the national park on Mayne.

Conservancy Staff

Michael Dunn: Executive Director

Michael worked for 30+ years for Environment Canada, retiring in 2007. His experience was varied ranging from coastal mapping to wildlife habitat conservation. As a life-long learner and avid naturalist, he has been engaged in learning about and communicating the wonder and lessons of nature for over 40 years.Michael had been president of the Conservancy up to the begining of April 2013 but has now undertaken the hands-on direction of the Society’s activities and will answer emails addressed to ed@mayneconservancy.ca

Rob Underhill: Biologist

Rob joined the conservancy in September 2011. His previous work experience is varied and includes work in hospitality, landscaping, forestry, and resource conservation. Rob has an educational background in tourism, horticulture, and botany. He completed a certificate of Travel and Tourism at Kwantlen University in 2002, a certificate in Landscape Horticulture at Capilano University in 2004, and a B.Sc. in Biology at the University of Victoria in 2010. Before coming to Mayne Island, Rob managed an ecosystem restoration project for Parks Canada at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site. He can trace his love of plants and nature to family vacations on Pender Island, and entering a plant collection in the Pender Island Fall fair when he was nine, in which he placed 2nd due to an incorrect spelling of “Arbutes menziesii”. Contact Rob at biologist@mayneconservancy.ca

Lauren Underhill: Contractor

Lauren joined us to work on our Stewardship Program. Lauren is already familiar with many of MICS initiatives through her volunteer work with us in 2011-2012. Her education was focused in Criminology and Anthropology, while her work experience has been primarily within the environmental sector. Before her term with the Conservancy, which was completed at the end of March 2013 Lauren worked for the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in both environmental assessment and maintenance, and for the CRD, also in the area of maintenance. Her interests in native plant propagation, food preservation, volunteering, outdoor activities were a good fit with what is needed in the stewardship arena. Lauren completed her formal engagement as Stewardship Coordinator in May 2014 in response to the demands of a then oncoming “happy event.” Lauren continues to be available foe specific assignments, notably in creating and managing the Conservancy’s Annual Nature Photo Contest.

Abbie Sherwood: Ecosystems Intern 2017

Abbie is Gulf Island bred girl from just across the way on Salt Spring Island. She is a second year student in the Environmental Technology program at Camosun College and is enthusiastic about local conservation. Abbie is an avid aspiring naturalist that can’t get enough of the outdoors. She spends as much time as she possibly can under the water SCUBA diving and exploring the beaches and shores of the West Coast of BC. Abbie feels incredibly blessed to be able to call the West Coast of Canada her home and is thrilled to be here exploring Mayne this summer as part of the Mayne Island Conservancy. She thanks you for welcoming her onto your beautiful island.

Izaiah Sheerin: Ecosystems Intern 2017

Izaiah is a fourth year student in the UVic Geography and Environmental Studies program with a strong interest in education and conservation. His previous work experience includes roles as a teaching assistant, kayak guide, research assistant and sustainability analyst. Outside of work he enjoys exploring the outdoors, playing music and sharing meals with friends. He is thrilled to be a part of the Conservancy and to spend the summer on Mayne Island.