Our Team

Laura Gaster

ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER

Laura is the Field Operations Program Coordinator for the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society and is taking on the role of Acting Executive Director starting February 16th, 2025.  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. 

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.

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:

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. CSISS Board member term 2024-2026.

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. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2024-2026.

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. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2024-2026.

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. CSISS Board member term 2024-2026.

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 2024-2026.

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 2023-2025.

Laurel Corrigan – based in Revelstoke she joins the Board representing Revelstoke residents. She is a former City foreman. Current Board Term: CSISS Board member 2023-2025.

Rob Dayringer–  is an Engineering Technician with the District of Sicamous. With experience as a civil and mechanical technician and designer, Dayringer brings fantastic knowledge to CSISS. As engineering technician, Dayringer 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. Current Board Term: up for election at AGM in spring 2025 for two year term.