Cindy is retired Biology prof who continues to maintain a research lab at Dalhousie University. Her current project encourages the use of Beneficial Management Practices for Landbirds at Risk in working forests. Since 1996, Dr. Staicer and her students have conducted research on forest bird populations and habitat in Nova Scotia. Major field projects include developing the forest bird monitoring program for Kejimkujik NP, quantifying forest bird-habitat associations in the Medway and in the Liscomb Game Sanctuary, and investigating the role of riparian buffers in forest bird conservation. Since 2010, she and her students have focused their efforts on the conservation of landbird Species At Risk, conducting surveys and research, developing habitat distribution models, and engaging in stewardship activities. Her Landbirds at Risk Program, Workshop and Website were developed in collaboration with MTRI. As past chair and current member of MTRI’s Research, Monitoring, and Management Committee, Cindy helped organize the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019, and 2021 Annual Science Conferences for MTRI.

Sam Hudson currently works at Fisheries and Oceans Canada within the Salmon and Diadromous Fish Section, where her work mostly focuses on population assessments and stock status of various diadromous fish species in the Miramichi system and beyond. Previously, Sam had worked in Nova Scotia with an environmental NGO called the Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP), where she had the opportunity to lead a variety of projects and programs that involved aquatic species at risk (i.e. Atlantic salmon, Atlantic whitefish) and invasive species (i.e. Chain pickerel, Smallmouth bass), climate change, stormwater management, water quality monitoring and water conservation. In 2017, when Sam’s passion for species at risk conservation emerged, Sam had joined the Parks Canada team at Kejimkujik National Park! Her positions while working at the Park focused on species at risk and ecological monitoring, along with assisting in coordinating the Parks first ever Bio Blitz event(s)! In addition, Sam has also taken on side contracts to monitor species at risk including various turtle, bird and bat species. When Sam is not working, she can be found spending most of her spare time volunteering, foraging in the woods, hiking with her husky, backcountry camping, knitting and fermenting anything she can get her hands on! Sam was drawn to MTRI through an internship opportunity to assess habitat, and to conduct visual surveys and live trapping efforts for Blanding’s Turtles and other species at risk in wetlands near proposed harvest blocks located just outside of Kejimkujik National Park. Since then, she has been actively volunteering on a number of different projects at MTRI, while sitting on the Board for the organization and serving as Secretary.

Russell is an Associate Professor in the biology department at Acadia University. His research focusses on changes in molecular signatures (DNA & proteins) in animals in response to environmental stressors. Russell began his scientific career as a biologist with Health Canada in Ontario where he worked with bacterial pathogens in the molecular characterization of toxins and antibiotic resistance genes. He then moved to Winnipeg where he helped establish the molecular diagnostics lab at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health. His passion, however, is marine science so he accepted a position with the National Research Council – Institute for Marine Biosciences (NRC-IMB) in Halifax, where he was involved in research exploring fish pathogens. When the department’s focus changed he left his Government position to continue research in marine animals and to teach. He has post-secondary degrees from CÉGEP, Algonquin college, The Canadian College of Microbiology, a bachelor’s degree from Carleton University, Master’s degree from St. Mary’s University and a Ph.D. from Dalhousie University. As an Associate Professor at Acadia University for five years, he has been very successful in acquiring funding for the numerous research projects he has established. He has a dynamic lab that includes collaborations with national, international, industrial and academic partners. Russell has a passion for science education and has presented public lectures to students of all ages for more than 20 years. In the past he served as Program Director for a major music festival for several years and presently is an avid kayaker and musician.

Mary Jane was inspired to pursue forestry following a long career tree planting in BC and Alberta. After graduating from the University of Toronto with a Masters in Forest Conservation, she headed to the opposite coast, taking the role as the General Manager at the Medway Community Forest Cooperative (MCFC) in Caledonia, Queens Co. Now the MCFC’s Executive Director, MJ spends most of her time collaborating with partners and sparking innovation in forest management, and utilizing ecosystem-based practices to manage the MCFC’s 15,000 ha Crown License area. MJ is also the Executive Director at the Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust, an new organization the MCFC is incubating to help private woodlot owners place working forest easements on their woodlands and access carbon markets. Mary Jane took an active role in Nova Scotia’s recent independent review of forest practices, and is a current member of the Minister of Lands and Forestry’s advisory committee for its implementation. Mary Jane resides in rural Lunenburg Co. with her partner, two horses and border collie cross, Pearl.

Sally Steele brings loads of enthusiasm to her work as Western Regional Coordinator for the Protected Areas Branch, Nova Scotia Environment & Climate Change. Over the past 9 years, this role has included the day-to-day management and conservation of wilderness areas and nature reserves in south western Nova Scotia, working with community groups, various levels of government and other stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes for these natural areas.  She is originally from Australia and has enjoyed various roles both in Australia and Nova Scotia over the years. She has two kids and loves getting her family into the great outdoors – whether it be camping, kayaking or canoeing.