President Marja de Jong Westman
Marja is a biologist, and her passion for the natural world is an inherent part of her character. After graduating from UBC, this passion found a home for 10 years in her work at the Vancouver Aquarium. In 1984, Marja joined the teaching faculty at Capilano University. She is presently teaching and the head of the Department of Biology at CapU. Outside the classroom, Marja has been active in the world of environmental stewardship, founding the North Shore's most respected environmental stewardship group, The Lighthouse Park Preservation Society. In this role she has been recognized with a Heritage Award from the West Vancouver Municipality and also with the Frank Sanford award for outstanding community achievement bestowed by the Vancouver Natural History Society. Marja feels her Cree roots speak the loudest within her.
Vice-President Warren Warttig
Warren is a Registered Professional Biologist in BC (R.P.Bio.) in BC, specializing in habitat ecology. Warren is involved with many non-profit societies involved in environmental stewardship, and has been president of the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (a wildlife rescue centre near Courtenay) for seven years. Warren recently received the Bill Young award for excellence in Integrated Resource Management.
Secretary Bruce Livingston
Bruce has been enjoying Valdes Island since 1975, when he and his wife Janet anchored the site for their cabin, on their honeymoon. A lawyer for 30 years, Bruce changed direction and became a Certified Marine Naturalist, incorporated and operated Steveston Eco Tours Ltd., and also qualified as a professional Whale Watch Captain. One of the founding Directors of the Valdes Island Conservancy, Bruce proudly served as Chair of the Board of Directors for years. His past volunteer community service includes President and Director of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, Director of the Coast Guard Auxiliary (Steveston), and Director of the Steveston Historical Society. Bruce is currently a Director and immediate Past-President of the London Heritage Farm Society.
Treasurer Doug Cochrane
Doug Cochran is an Adjudicator on two Provincial Government Boards as well as being appointed as the Lay Member of the Ethics Committee of the Certified General Accountants Association of B.C. He is a Board member with PLEA Community Services Society. Doug was in private practice as a lawyer in Vancouver, B.C. for thirty years, has published two legal text books and taught in the Institute for Paralegal Studies at Capilano University for nineteen years. He was a Member of the Immigration and Refugee Appeal Board of Canada for six years.
Marja is a biologist, and her passion for the natural world is an inherent part of her character. After graduating from UBC, this passion found a home for 10 years in her work at the Vancouver Aquarium. In 1984, Marja joined the teaching faculty at Capilano University. She is presently teaching and the head of the Department of Biology at CapU. Outside the classroom, Marja has been active in the world of environmental stewardship, founding the North Shore's most respected environmental stewardship group, The Lighthouse Park Preservation Society. In this role she has been recognized with a Heritage Award from the West Vancouver Municipality and also with the Frank Sanford award for outstanding community achievement bestowed by the Vancouver Natural History Society. Marja feels her Cree roots speak the loudest within her.
Vice-President Warren Warttig
Warren is a Registered Professional Biologist in BC (R.P.Bio.) in BC, specializing in habitat ecology. Warren is involved with many non-profit societies involved in environmental stewardship, and has been president of the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (a wildlife rescue centre near Courtenay) for seven years. Warren recently received the Bill Young award for excellence in Integrated Resource Management.
Secretary Bruce Livingston
Bruce has been enjoying Valdes Island since 1975, when he and his wife Janet anchored the site for their cabin, on their honeymoon. A lawyer for 30 years, Bruce changed direction and became a Certified Marine Naturalist, incorporated and operated Steveston Eco Tours Ltd., and also qualified as a professional Whale Watch Captain. One of the founding Directors of the Valdes Island Conservancy, Bruce proudly served as Chair of the Board of Directors for years. His past volunteer community service includes President and Director of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, Director of the Coast Guard Auxiliary (Steveston), and Director of the Steveston Historical Society. Bruce is currently a Director and immediate Past-President of the London Heritage Farm Society.
Treasurer Doug Cochrane
Doug Cochran is an Adjudicator on two Provincial Government Boards as well as being appointed as the Lay Member of the Ethics Committee of the Certified General Accountants Association of B.C. He is a Board member with PLEA Community Services Society. Doug was in private practice as a lawyer in Vancouver, B.C. for thirty years, has published two legal text books and taught in the Institute for Paralegal Studies at Capilano University for nineteen years. He was a Member of the Immigration and Refugee Appeal Board of Canada for six years.
