Our Team

Laura Gaster

ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER

Laura Gaster is the Field Operations Manager for the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society and is serving as Acting Executive Director from February 2025 through June 2026. She is a Professional Agrologist (BCIA) and holds a Bachelor of Science in biology. Laura joined CSISS in 2015 and brings extensive experience in invasive species management. She coordinates the terrestrial invasive plant field program, overseeing all aspects of inventory, treatment, monitoring, mapping, and reporting. In addition, she manages the aquatic invasive species program, leading zebra and quagga mussel sampling and other invasive species initiatives.

Nolan Novonty

ACTING FIELD OPERATIONS COORDINATOR / FIELD TECHNICIAN

Nolan is backfilling as Acting Field Operations Coordinator in 2025-2026, as well as the Senior Field Technician for CSISS. He joined the CSISS team in 2022 and conducts terrestrial and aquatic fieldwork across the region to monitor and prevent the spread of invasive species. Nolan has a Bachelor of Science Hons. and a Masters of Science in Biology and Entomology from the University of Manitoba and has previously worked in mosquito control programs.

Marlee Verleih

FIELD TECHNICIAN

Marlee joined the CSISS team in 2022 as one of our invasive species program assistants. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Calgary, concentrating in Biological Sciences. She has previous experience with invasive species from her spent time working in natural resource management across Alberta and BC.

CSISS is guided by a diverse and knowledgeable Board of Directors that represents a broad interests, including non-profit organizations, government agencies, industry partners, and private citizens. This ensures a balanced and informed approach to invasive species management. Together, the Board and staff work strategically to strengthen regional partnerships, support science-based decision-making, and advance effective, coordinated actions to reduce the impacts of invasive species within the Columbia Shuswap region.

Current CSISS Board of Directors:

Peter Tarleton, CSISS Chair– Resource Management Officer II (Vegetation Specialist), Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, Parks Canada / Government of Canada. Peter leads the invasive alien plant management program in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, as well as contributes to ecological monitoring and ecosystem restoration in both parks. 

Erin Vieira, CSISS Vice Chair – Erin Vieira has worked with the Fraser Basin Council, a provincial non-government organization that facilitates collaborative solutions to significant sustainability issues – since 2007. She is based in Kamloops, in Secwepemc’ulecw (territory of the Secwepemc People). Currently, Erin’s primary role at FBC is to provide staff support to the Shuswap Watershed Council, a watershed-based partnership of several organizations that works on water quality, aquatic invasive species, and safe recreation in the Shuswap. Erin leads a few different water-related initiatives, including education, outreach, and advocacy to prevent a new invasion of invasive mussels to the Shuswap. Erin is originally from Revelstoke and has a Bachelor Degree in Natural Resource Science from Thompson Rivers University. 

Chris Cochran, CSISS Secretary/Treasurer – the Manager of Operations for the Town of Golden where he has been the last four years.  Prior to moving to Golden, he served in the Office of Public Works for the City of Castlegar for 7 years.   Chris has an educational background in Civil Engineering and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Parks Canada Advisory Development Board as well as the board of BC Water Supply Association.  Chris enjoys camping, exploring the back roads with his quad and building models.

Jade Berrill-  is an award winning environmental educator who has been designing & delivering environmental and nature based programs for over fifteen years, across four continents and seven countries. She holds a BSc (1st Class HONS) in Physical Geography and Environmental Chemistry amongst many other professional field qualifications including avalanche safety, guiding and interpretation. She is the Director of Learning for the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) and their social enterprise The Outdoor Learning School & Store alongside her own educational consultancy ‘Stoked on Science’.

John Braisher – a rancher based south of Golden BC he brings extensive knowledge of agriculture and land management to the Board since joining in the fall of 2016.

Chris Gill – with 20 years of experience in applied conservation biology he has a primary focus on protecting rare and endangered species. In 2010 Chris founded Coastal Conservation, an organization whose mission is to restore island ecosystems in Canada and internationally that have been impacted by invasive vertebrate species. Chris resides in the Shuswap and joined the CSISS Board in September 2017.

Adam Croxall – based in Revelstoke he is a Senior Environmental Coordinator with BC Hydro and has served on the CSISS Board since the fall of 2013.

Laurel Corrigan – based in Revelstoke she joins the Board representing Revelstoke residents. She is a former City foreman.

Rob Dayringer–  is an Engineering Technician with the District of Sicamous. With experience as a civil and mechanical technician and designer, Rob brings fantastic knowledge to CSISS. As engineering technician, Rob oversees engineering services, including survey, design, inspection, cost estimating for capital projects and planning related to the district’s infrastructure. He has been with the CSISS board since January 2025.