Michael is a founder of the Loon Foundation and served as volunteer chair for 15 years prior to becoming Executive Director.

He is tremendously proud of the work of the Loon Foundation's staff, volunteers and community members in environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation and is thrilled to be readying the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) for launch in the near future.

As Michael would say: Onwards!

Jenn Blancard is a pivotal member of the Pender Harbour Coastal Waters Monitoring Program, an initiative dedicated to documenting local biodiversity and monitoring the dynamic changes within the freshwater and marine ecosystems of the region.

As the cornerstone of the program, Jenn plays an integral role in coordinating surveys, managing relationships with citizen science volunteers, recording critical data, and fostering collaborations with partner organizations. Her efforts are instrumental in establishing a comprehensive baseline dataset that captures the rich biodiversity of our coastal areas.

Between 2014 and 2019, John Field represented the Loon Foundation in the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project in the Citizen Science Oceanography Program, a collaborative initiative aimed at uncovering the complex interactions affecting the survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead in the Salish Sea.

John was part of an extensive network of two hundred scientists from over 60 organizations across the United States, Canada, and First Nations communities. This groundbreaking research sought to decode the multifaceted environmental and biological factors influencing marine life in this vital ecosystem.

Dr. Ross serves as a Senior Scientist at the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, where he spearheads the innovative Healthy Waters Program. This community-focused initiative is actively engaged in select watersheds that feed into the Fraser River and Salish Sea, aiming to pinpoint pollution sources and land use practices that compromise fish habitats.

Under Dr. Ross’s leadership, the program combines rigorous water quality analysis with tailored engagement and capacity-building activities, designed to meet the unique needs of each partnering community.

Bill has extensive experience as a Senior Planner at Parks Canada, where he focused on protecting and conserving significant marine conservation areas along Canada's Pacific coast.

His work also emphasized fostering public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of these vital ecosystems. Join Bill to explore and discuss the potential for Marine Conservation Areas in local waterways.