CPAWS Southern Alberta Staff

Staff


Anne-Marie Syslak, Executive Director 		Anne-Marie Syslak is the Executive Director of the Southern Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Anne-Marie has a B.Sc, a B.Ed, and a M.Sc. in Environmental Education and has worked in the municipal and the ENGO sectors with respect to the environment for the past sixteen years. In 2004, she joined CPAWS working in the education department and in 2009 assumed the role of Executive Director. In recent years, much of her focus has been spent on leadership development. Anne-Marie’s enthusiasm for the environment translates through her leadership and is grounded in strong science and educational principles. Her recent work has concentrated much of her attention towards parks, particularly the national parks in and around Alberta. Anne-Marie has a particular passion for native plants and art. When not reviewing guidelines for park development and activities, Anne-Marie can be found on the ski and hiking trails, wondering over wildflowers or camping with her family.

Lindsay Allan, Office and Project Administrator 		Lindsay Allan joined the CPAWS team in May of 2004. She has a B.Sc. in Geography from the University of Calgary. For four years she planned the Chapter’s marquee event, The Wild Gala, in addition to Capture the Wild Photography Contest and Running Wild. Now back from maternity leave, she will be providing research assistance to the conservation team, as well as making sure everything in the office is running smoothly. When she is not working at CPAWS, she enjoys mountain biking, hiking, traveling and spending time with her family (especially the newest addition, Casey).

Jennifer Casciani, Education Coordinator 		Jennifer Casciani, our Education Coordinator, joined the CPAWS team in August 2011. She holds an Ecosystem Management Technologist diploma, a B.Sc in Environmental Science and her Bachelor of Education (B.Ed). Jennifer has worked in the field of environmental education for seven years as a Natural Heritage Educator with Ontario Parks, and as a Wetlands Educator and Environment and Natural Resource Educator with Inside Education. Jennifer has a passion for the environment that she enjoys sharing with others both in the classroom and especially outdoors. Jennifer loves identifying plants, hiking and canoeing, eating a good bowl of ice-cream and travelling whenever she gets the chance!

Claire Sakowski, Education Programmer 		Claire joined the CPAWS team as Environmental Education Programmer in May of 2012. She has a B.A. Honours in Communications and Psychology from Simon Fraser University and also completed her teacher certification and B.Ed. with a focus on Environmental Education there in 2011. Claire was born and raised in Calgary and has returned to Alberta after over a decade of living and working in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Claire worked for several years in the publishing industry before returning to school to pursue a passion for teaching and the environment. She has always loved to be outdoors exploring and enjoying the wilderness on the back of her horse or camping. Claire enjoys spending time with her dog, family and friends running, hiking, gardening, swimming, and skiing.

Sarah Elmeligi, Senior Conservation Planner 		Sarah Elmeligi has a Masters of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies degree from the University of Northern British Columbia. Her thesis investigated the impacts of bear-viewing tourism on grizzly bear behaviour and visitor satisfaction/perceptions of impact. This research experience combined with her Bachelor of Science degree, zoology major, from the University of Alberta has provided Sarah with an intimate understanding of ecosystem ecology from theory and research methods/results to applicable and adaptive management options. She has extensive experience in science interpretation; from program development and delivery to visitor centre design and construction. Sarah comes to CPAWS from the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) where she worked extensively on the Cabinet-Purcell Mountain Corridor Project. Working with Y2Y has increased her understanding of large landscapes and the necessary programs to connect them. She is passionate about animal behaviour and ecology, living sustainably, and exploring as much of this planet as she can by foot, bike, rock-climbing shoe, and snorkel.

Kate Semrau, Communications Coordinator 		Kate Semrau, our Communications and Outreach Coordinator, joined the CPAWS team in April 2012. She holds a B.A. in Geography and a Masters in Professional Communication. Originally from the West Coast, Kate worked in the communications field in both the non-profit and public sectors for four years, until moving to Canmore in November 2011. Kate’s passion for the Canadian wilderness began when she hiked the West Coast Trail in 2001, and continues today with her desire to protect the majestic beauty and wildlife that surrounds her in the Bow Valley. In her free time, Kate enjoys hiking and skiing in the backcountry with her partner, as well as photography, yoga, and attending music festivals.

Alex Mowat, Lead Hiking Guide 		Alex joined the CPAWS team in September 2009 and excitedly works with students each spring and fall. Grizzly bears, lichens, woodpeckers, beavers - and all the wonders that nature has to offer - are magical to him. He was born in Calgary, has a B. A. in Psychology and worked for a decade with international students at the U of C. In 2004, Alex moved out to the Canadian Rockies and he has been involved in environmental advocacy, parks and guiding work every since. He is certified as a professional interpretive guide by the Interpretive Guiding Association and feels blessed to be sharing and learning about the wonders of natural diversity each day. Alex has a new found passion for birds this year, combined with his long-time connection to grizzlies. When he is not trail-running or headed into the backcountry, he can be found sitting in what he calls a “nature sweet spot” - observing and listening - to an orchestra, for which there is no need of a ticket!

Julie Walker, Hiking Guide 		Julie Walker has been a hiking guide and outdoor educator for over 20 years. She started out with Elderhostel and has been working backwards with adult and kids programs since then. She has her own company, Full Circle Adventures (FCA) where her philosophy of "connecting people with nature" is best expressed. Julie started working with schools in 2008 with FCA and most recently worked with the Weaslehead Glenmore Park Preservation Society running Grade 3 to 8 programs. Her specialty is edible and medicinal plants and the human/natural history connection. She was a discretionary participant at the Sullivan Petro-Canada hearings two years ago arguing for preservation of the grasslands south of Longview based on the ecological integrity of the land and its historic and cultural value to Albertans.