Board of Director Bios

Sharon Chow

Gary Swann - Owner, since 1974, with wife Jacqueline of Leda Organic Farm. An 75 acre Eco-forest and 2 acre market garden-orchard.
Gary annually offers an evening course in organic gardening recently introducing biodynamic practices.
Trains people in organic gardening methods through a wwoofer and summer student programs as well as workshops and educational tours
Manages Leda eco-forest following Orville Camp’s suggestions, including annual tree planting and pruning and maple syrup production.
Founding and current director of the Alberni Environmental Coalition since 1978
Former chairperson of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional district and vice chair school district #70.
Former Member of the Community Forest advisory committee to the Minister of Forests.
Former member of the Timber Framers Guild of North America.
Currently director of the Alberni Valley Community Forest corporation.

Leo Tak (honorary)

Nancy Turner, distinguished professor, School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria (Victoria, BC) - Born in Berkeley, California, Nancy moved to Victoria at the age of 5 and she lives there today as a Distinguished Professor in the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. She earned a PhD in Ethnobotany in 1974 from the University of British Columbia when she studied three contemporary indigenous groups of the Pacific Northwest (the Haida, Bella Coola and Lillooet). Nancy's major research has demonstrated the role of plant resources in past and present aboriginal cultures and languages as being an integral component of traditional knowledge systems. Nancy has also played an important role in helping demonstrate how traditional management of plant resources has shaped the landscapes and habitats of western Canada. In 1999 Nancy received the Order of British Columbia and in 2009 received the Order of Canada. She's authored numerous books including, among others, Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples, Food Plants of Interior First Peoples, Plants of Haida Gwaii and The Earth's Blanket - Traditional Teachings for Sustainable Living.

Barry Gates

Chris Walther

Peter Jungwirth

Irv Penner, consulting forester(RPF since 1993) and certified arborist, works and plays in the domain of forest ecosystems health and restoration as well as tree risk assessment. He has a degree in Forest Resource Management from Université Laval and has worked on BC`s West Coast since 1995.

Merve Wilkinson (honorary)

Mikel Leclerc (honorary)

Alan Drengson (honorary)