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.

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 eight 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, Operations Manager		 Claire joined the CPAWS team 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.

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 surround 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.

Katie Morrison, Conservation Campaign Director		 Katie Morrison, the Conservation Campaign Director for CPAWS SAB joined the team in January 2013.   Katie holds a B.Sc. in Environmental and Conservation Sciences from the University of Alberta and a Masters of Environmental Design from the University of Calgary. Katie has over 12 years of experience in the environmental sector working for university research projects, nongovernmental organizations, and environmental consulting companies. This work has she given her an in-depth understanding of conservation principles and methods, vegetation and wildlife ecology and environmental impact assessment. Katie also has experience in combining scientific knowledge and stakeholder consultation.  Her masters’ research aims to understand the perceptions of local people of forests and conservation in La Tigra National Park, Honduras, identify the key issues related to conservation and livelihoods in the park and create recommendations for improving this relationship.  Katie spends her free time gardening, quilting, travelling and exploring urban and wild places with her dog.

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.