Malaspina Land Conservancy

The Malaspina Land Conservancy Society was incorporated in August 2008. Here is some information on the current directors, who have been serving since the 2010 Annual General Meeting:

Janet Alred (President)

Janet Alred moved to Powell River at the beginning of 2005 because of the quality of life a small, isolated, coastal community provides. She juggles a new family and working at the local newspaper with volunteering for the Malaspina Naturalists Club, Bear Aware Powell River, and co-founding Malaspina Land Conservancy Society. She has a background in real estate sales. She believes in the careful consideration of the long-term impact of today’s actions.

Rachel Botting (Vice President)

Rachel Botting is interested in land conservation at the local level and the role landowners can play in preservation. As a biologist, Rachel has a particular interest in ecology and the conservation of natural areas. She enjoys hiking, camping, photography and gardening. Rachel moved to Powell River in 2008 and looks forward to contributing to the land conservancy effort in the region.

David Parkinson (Secretary)

David Parkinson is motivated to support a regional land conservancy because of his interest in food security and local agriculture. He has lived in Powell River since October 2006, and since January 2007 has been the coordinator of the Powell River Food Security Project. He has been active in defending ALR lands in the City of Powell River from non-agricultural development, and is one of the Powell River Seed Savers.

Nola Poirier

Nola Poirier moved to Powell River in 2009, drawn here by the beauty of the landscape and the diversity and promise of the community.  Nola has a Masters degree in Environmental Studies. She works as a writer for environmental and social justice organizations, in addition to writing and publishing short stories in Canadian literary journals. Nola values protecting wilderness, building connected communities, and growing delicious food. She is also on the board of the Skookum Food Provisioners’Cooperative and the Powell River Friends of Film Society.

Paul Schachter (Treasurer)

Paul Schachter is a lawyer who practices and teaches mediation, facilitation, alternative dispute resolution and community-based strategic planning. He lives on Okeover Inlet, north of the City of Powell River, and is very involved in nonprofit and grassroots organizations. He is committed to preserve biodiversity, soil, water, atmosphere, natural habitat, and farms in our entire ecosystem and especially our local coastal region.

Maureen Simmonds

Maureen Simmonds retired to Powell River 17 years ago. She was impressed by the beauty of the landscape and drawn by its isolation. She is passionate about the well-being of the environment and social justice and focuses her energy on these issues. As Powell River develops she sees the urgency to preserve land in its natural state for the enjoyment of those who come after her. She is currently also a member of the board of the Myrtle Creek Stewards Society.

Lesley Thorsell

Lesley Thorsell grew up in Powell River since the age of 6. She has raised both her children in Powell River and is the happiest spending time in our priceless outdoors. Lesley became interested in the MLCS when she was wanting to donate half the proceeds of her local Nature Calendar to an organization that preserved land and purchased properties to be kept in their original state for generations to enjoy. She was particularly interested in fish-bearing streams and riparian areas and requested that the $2,500 go to this crucial area. Lesley looks forward to recruiting new members!

Judy Watts

Judy moved to Powell River in the winter of 2007 after living in the central and eastern Arctic for over 15 years.  She retired from a career in health administration that took her to many Arctic communities where the effects of climate warming are increasingly evident.  She is an active kayaker and hiker, and sees the land-conservancy process as a creative way for individuals to support preservation of lands with special environmental and heritage features.