Submitted by Moira Parker, Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association
The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association is happy to announce the addition of 3 new board members to our team: Dr. Mike Sehl, Dr. Katherine McLeod, and Dr. Richard Wilson Smith.
Dr. Mike Sehl became a seasonal resident on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula after his wife introduced him to the area over 40 years ago. Now, as a new grandfather, his primary goal is to preserve and protect this region so that future generations may enjoy it. Having recently retired from an over 30-year career in clinical medicine at St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener, Mike is excited to help the Biosphere with outdoor education programming and EcoAdventures. Mike says that he believes that “through education everyone can become ambassadors for the environment, we can protect, preserve, and sustain a Peninsula that is worthy of the world stage.”
Dr. Katherine McLeod has previously been involved with the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association as the Executive Director. She now lives between Dyers Bay and Kitchener where she works and teaches physical geography at Wilfred Laurier University. Katherine’s academic research has focused on the long-term changes of tree species distribution, and she is interested in the impacts of human disturbance on ecosystem function. Katherine is helping the Biosphere with our Bioremediation project using her skills in finance, grant reporting, and developing scientific methods within the field of bioremediation. Her appreciation for the Peninsula, especially the dolostone bedrock, cliffs, and karst features, combined with her experience working with conservation organizations, provides an invaluable perspective to our team.
Dr. Richard Wilson Smith is originally from Salisbury, England and now is proud to call the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula home. After completing his Bachelor of Science in Plymouth, England, and his MSc and PhD in Aberdeen, Scotland, he spent 30 years working around the world researching aquatic biology and toxicology and has published around 60 papers. Once in Canada his research focused on the impacts of radiation on aquatic environments and on the health of aquatic invertebrates in the Great Lakes. Richard is passionate about finding a balance between utilization and exploitation, and between preservation and conservation and is looking forward to addressing real-world issues in a constructive manner with the Biosphere.
The Biosphere Association expresses sincere gratitude to Mike, Katherine, and Richard for volunteering their time and energy to be on the board. We are lucky to have dedicated, enthusiastic people within our community who are willing to work together and have a shared appreciation for the where we call home.
We are currently looking for a board member to help lead our communications sector, should you be interested in volunteering for this position please email info@bpba.ca or call 519-377-5166.
