CSISS is represented by a board of directors and staff from a variety of non-profit organizations and government agencies all working to stop the spread of invasives in our region.
Our staff team works together on invasive species field work and outreach programs across the CSRD region. Season program assistants and field technicians are often supported by wage subsidies including Eco Canada and Canada Summer Jobs ESDC programs.
Robyn Hooper
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Robyn Hooper is the Executive Director of the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society and a Professional Agrologist (BCIA). Robyn has been working with CSISS since April 2014 overseeing fund development, administration, Board governance, staff management, invasive species outreach programs, field mapping and monitoring programs, and partnership engagement. Robyn has a Dual Masters degree (Masters of Science, SLU and Masters of Forestry, UBC) and has worked throughout BC and Sweden engaging local communities and key stakeholders in climate change adaptation issues. Robyn is the President of the Kootenay Branch of the BC Institute of Agrology, a member of the Columbia Basin AIS Steering Committee, the National Clean Drain Dry Committee, and East Kootenay Stewardship Committee (Kootenay Conservation Program).
Laura Gaster
FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER
Laura is the Field Operations Program Coordinator for the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society. She joined CSISS in 2015 and coordinates terrestrial invasive plant inventory, treatment and monitoring. Laura is dedicated to creating an efficient and effective program focusing on preventing the introduction of new invaders, reversing the spread of existing species and restoring native ecosystems to a healthy functioning level. Laura has a BSc in Biology as well as a course in environmental monitoring. She has previously worked as a wildlife biologist for an environmental consulting firm and assisted with woodland caribou studies in the North Columbia Mountains.
Jess Booth
EDUCATION & OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Jess joined the CSISS team in 2021 as the Outreach Program Assistant, she has a Bachelor of Outdoor and Environmental Education- Natural Resource Education from La Trobe University in Australia, where she worked as an environmental educator. Jess enjoys facilitating connections with people and the natural world. You may meet Jess sharing invasive species knowledge to various community groups within our region.
Nolan Novonty
FIELD TECHNICIAN
Nolan is the 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 Verlieh
PROGRAM ASSISTANT
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. She is eager to help spread awareness about invasive species in our region and expand her knowledge into aquatic species.
Emma Wiebe
OUTREACH PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Emma is the Outreach Program Assistant for CSISS, and is new to the team this year. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Environment and Sustainability from the University of British Columbia. Emma is super excited to work with CSISS and gain experience in the environmental field she is passionate about, and spread knowledge and awareness of invasive species in our region!
Besides our dedicated staff we have an amazing team of our board of directors, volunteers and part time and seasonal staff.
Current CSISS Board of Directors:
Hamish Kassa, CSISS Board Chair – the Environmental Services Coordinator for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. He currently manages the Eurasian Water Milfoil Control Program, three mosquito control programs, the CSRD Noxious Weed Control Program and eight groundwater monitoring functions. He is also responsible for inspections and maintenance of CSRD dikes, and partners with the Ministry of Environment to conduct water quality monitoring in addition to his participation in the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP). Hamish has worked with the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Ministry of Environment, Taranaki Catchment Commission in a variety of positions related to water quality, protection, management and invasive species. He has extensive underwater experience logging more than 4000 hours on SCUBA as well as receiving underwater photography awards while working in New Zealand. The winter months often find Hamish sliding on fluffy powder snow with friends and family. Hamish is the current Chair of CSISS. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2021-2023.
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. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2021-2023.
Jeromy Schuetze – Jeromy Schuetze is an Engineering Technologist with the District of Sicamous. Jeromy started his career in the resource sector as a forest technologist. He worked both in industry and for the provincial government on the coast and in the interior, prior to moving into municipal/urban development and infrastructure. Jeromy was first exposed to Urban Development through a summer student position with the City of Kelowna where he was tasked with identifying the environmental impacts of Urban Development. The most common and prevalent impact of Urban Development (all development really) is sediment movement and the spread of invasive species. Following graduation, Jeromy spent time working for EBA (now Tetra tech) doing environmental monitoring and reporting for numerous large land development projects. Through his background in resource management and environmental works, Jeromy maintains an keen interest in sound urban development that mitigates and minimizes environmental impact. He has been with the CSISS board since October 2021. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2021-2023.
Chris Cochran, CSISS Vice Chair – 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. Chris is currently serving as Vice-Chair of CSISS. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2021-2023.
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. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2021-2023.
Diane Millar – working with the Ministry of Forests as well as Lands and Natural Resource Operations as a Natural Resource Technician based locally out of Revelstoke. She recently joined the CSISS Board of Directors in September 2015. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2021-2023.
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. CSISS Board member term 2020-2022.
Laurel Corrigan – based out of Revelstoke she joins the Board representing Revelstoke residents. She is a former City foreman. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2021-2023.
Peter Tarleton – 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. CSISS Board member term 2020-2022.
Erin Vieira– 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. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2021-2023.
Mike Manson – Mike Manson is Operations Manager with the City of Revelstoke. He joined the Board to fill a spot vacant by the City of Revelstoke in February 2022, and will be up for election at the CSISS AGM in fall 2022.