Joanne Neilson

Executive Director

Growing up in beautiful BC, Joanne has been passionate about environmental stewardship her entire life.  She joined the FVC as the Executive Director in 2013. In this role she brings over two decades of experience in the not-for-profit sector administration as well as field work on a wide range of conservation initiatives throughout the province. She guides the daily management of our organization, drawing on her knowledge of the local ecosystems and strong conservation ethic. She also oversees the acquisition and management of our conservation properties, builds partnerships with other like-minded organizations, and develops projects that contribute to our mandate. She loves that every day, through her work, she can promote and put into practice stewardship solutions that to make a difference for our special valley home.

Jennifer Barden

Program Coordinator

Jennifer is currently on maternity leave and will be returning in mid-2026. We look forward to welcoming her back after this special time with her family!

Jenn joined the FVC in 2020. She has become our resident bullfrog control expert and supports our Ryder Lake Amphibian Protection Program work. She also works on the Oregon Spotted Frog project helping us answer some of the many unknown questions to help ensure this endangered frog can survive. Jenn’s passion for reptiles and amphibians has led to many days mucking around in ponds and flipping logs. She has a BSc in Zoology from the University of Guelph that cultivated her love of wildlife, and herpetofauna in particular. Throughout her career, she has worked with many species at risk reptiles and amphibians, including two of Canada’s three rattlesnake species, both in British Columbia and Ontario. After years of working in semi-arid shrub-steppe and tall-grass prairie habitats, she has adapted well to working in more aquatic environments within the Fraser Valley.

Spencer Peters

Conservation Technician

Spencer is an avid enjoyer of the natural world, with a passion for all things Herpetology related. He has spent much time in BC and other locations searching for and photographing reptiles and amphibians. As a 2020 graduate of UBC in the Natural Resources Conservation program, he has worked in a variety of locations all over the province. His previous work experience includes all manner of things from tracking rattlesnakes to helping to manage invasive Yellow Flag Iris and verifying commercial fish catch. These experiences have helped Spencer to get a better understanding of the issues in BC. He hopes to apply this knowledge to the projects he works on as a Conservation Technician here at the FVC.