About Us

Zoey Slater

President

Zoey Slater (B.Sc.) is a biologist who graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley and lives and works in the Fraser Valley. She has been involved in stewardship activities focusing on species at risk for nearly 10 years. She has also been involved in invasive plant work and stream protection. She is passionate about preserving land so that biodiversity will flourish throughout the Fraser Valley. Zoey previously worked for the FVC, delivering outreach programs, and became a board member in 2012 so she could continue to spread the word about the importance of conserving natural habitats in the valley for future generations to enjoy.

Emma Bryce

Vice President

Emma Bryce is an advocate for sustainable agriculture and conservation in the Fraser Valley. She works as the Communications Manager for the Organic Federation of Canada, helping manage the Organic Science Clusters research activities and the maintenance of the Canadian Organic Standards. Emma is currently pursuing her MSc in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University; researching the use of native bumblebee populations as a supplementary pollination method in berry crops. Her interests center around developing relationships between agricultural producers and environmental practitioners in a way that supports the development of resilient food systems grounded in sustainable practice.

John Vissers

Secretary

John Vissers has been a resident of Abbotsford for over 30 years, and is well-known throughout the valley for his tireless dedication to protecting the environment. In addition to serving on the FVC board for the past 10 years, he is the past chair of the Abbotsford Environmental Advisory Committee and currently serves on the Abbotsford Development Advisory Committee. His commitment to the environment has earned him the Order of Abbotsford, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, as well as the Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship. He lives on a rural property on Sumas Mountain where he appreciates the natural values of his surroundings.

Tamsin Baker

Director

Tamsin Baker (M.Sc.) has been involved with the Fraser Valley Conservancy since 1999 when she was The Land Conservancy of BC’s Lower Mainland regional manager. She has experience with land acquisitions, conservation covenants, stewardship initiatives and partnership building. Since 2012, she has been the Stewardship Coordinator for the South Coast Conservation Program (SCCP) where she has been coordinating stewardship activities including landholder contact for Coastal Sand Ecosystems on the South Coast and Species at Risk in the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley. She joined the FVC board in 2014, and while she lives in Vancouver, she enjoys frequent visits to the Fraser Valley to appreciate its many natural areas.

Chris Lumsden

Director

Chris Lumsden (B.Arch) moved to BC from Ontario in 2016 and currently works as an Area Planner with the City of Surrey. Having grown up camping, fishing and exploring southern and central Ontario he is passionate about protecting natural habitats as well as the importance of conservation and education efforts from one generation to the next. As an urban planner, he is committed to developing resilient, livable and flourishing cities where access to and a better understanding of nature forms an integral part of urban life. He has been involved with the implementation of the City of Surrey’s Ecosystem Protection Measures, which seek to balance ecosystem conservation and enhancement with land development and infrastructure planning on a city-wide level.

Eileen Brader

Director

Eileen worked for twenty two years as manager of a forest seedling nursery that also grew many of the plants you have in your own gardens and landscaping projects. She grew plants for reclamation sites for mining companies and railway companies. Over those twenty two years she flew into many remote areas of BC, meeting with foresters to determine the best way to ensure the successful planting of seedlings. Because of her love of nature she chose to retire to a tiny community in the Chilliwack River Valley so that she could walk, bushwack, and have a half acre of garden both wild and cultivated. She brings to the board a knowledge of plants, of wildlife and of nature in all its complications!

Trish Osterberg

Director

Trish is from the Squiala First Nation and grew up in Squamish BC. She has an undergraduate degree in Forest Resource Management and a Masters of Science in Plant Science. She has served First Nations of BC for over 20 years in areas of research, wellness programs, policy and strategic planning, community engagement and First Nation health governance. You may have met Trish if you support our Native Plant Sales as she is our awesome volunteer coordinator of this bi-annual event.

Dr. Roy Cline

Director

Roy Cline is a retired Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Clinical Professor at UBC. He has a lifelong interest in wildlife photography and environmental protection. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. He and his wife, Susan, have a farm near Fort Langley where there are resident goats, horses, dogs, a cat and a new beekeeping venture. They are active participants in the FVC Nature Stewards program and are supporting an amphibian habitat restoration project on their property. They feel privileged to listen to the frog chorus each evening.