MEET THE STEWARDSHIP TEAM

Jennifer Miles, Chair

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While originally from Summerland, Jennifer has lived throughout the Okanagan and currently calls Kelowna home. When not enjoying a good OSS weed pull, Jennifer works for the City of Kelowna enforcing environmental protection regulations in relation to new development. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Simon Fraser University and Master’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary.  One of her fondest undergrad memories is of a field school course she took in Oliver on understanding the complex interactions within the ponderosa pine forests and grasslands between the plants, wildfire, and animals (specifically Lewis’ Woodpecker, a blue listed species). Jennifer shares her home with her husband, Robert, and children Emily and Benjamin. 

 

Jill Bisaro, Vice Chair

Jill grew up in the West Kootenays and always had an interest in biology and conservation. She pursued a technical diploma in Recreation, Fish and Wildlife at Selkirk College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries at the University of Northern BC. In the summer of 2016, Jill worked as a Stewardship Assistant with OSS betweem semesters at university, and then again after graduating from her degree in 2019. During these summers, she fell in love with the biodiversity of the Okanagan Valley as well as the stewardship efforts that are being undertaken by OSS.  After completing a research position with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Jill has now settled in Vernon

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Margaret Holm, Secretary

Margaret Holm has twenty-five year experience working on conservation outreach and education in the Okanagan. She lead agricultural extension and EcoStudies programs for the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance, and has managed outreach and communication for the Community Bat Program, South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program, and the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre. Writing and editing projects included the South Okanagan Wildlife Habitat Atlas, biodiversity conservation documents, and numerous “working in nature” best management documents. She now devotes time to community climate action and citizen engagement.

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Veronica Vinge, Treasurer

Veronica Lynn Vinge is a passionate advocate for community well-being and inclusive leadership. With a background in nonprofit governance and public engagement, Veronica brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to every initiative she supports.

Her work spans policy development, strategic planning, and grassroots outreach, with a focus on creating meaningful connections between organizations and the communities they serve. Veronica is known for her ability to navigate complex challenges with clarity and compassion, and for her commitment to transparency, equity, and sustainability. Whether serving on a board, leading a project, or mentoring emerging leaders, Veronica contributes a strong sense of purpose and a deep respect for collective impact. Veronica moved to the south Okanagan in late 2015 and is grateful for the wonderful lifestyle and lack of snow!​

 

Eva Durance, Director

Eva grew up in Southwestern Ontario in a family involved in farming and with a strong interest in the natural world.  She studied English Language and Literature at University of Toronto, Western University), University of Virginia and Dalhousie, including advanced graduate studies.  She taught at Carleton University and University of Ottawa before becoming for ten years the Editor for an Ontario Ministry of Agriculture research publication.

Since relocating to the Penticton area in 1990, Eva has been involved as a contractor and a volunteer in a wide variety of environmental, naturalist, agricultural, and community and projects..  Now retired, she volunteers as Caretaker for the Vaseux Lake Important Bird & Biodiversity Area, as a member of the TAC for the Okanagan Conservation Fund, on the BC Nature’s Conservation Committee and for the Burrowing Owl Society of BC  and the South Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society since the last was formed. 

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Meghan Fisher, Director

​Meghan Fisher is the principal of 4 Seasons Heritage Consulting and a professional member of the BC Association of Professional Archaeologists. She has worked in archaeology since 1996, specializing in consulting throughout British Columbia and serving as a permit-eligible archaeologist and qualified field director for both the Northwest Coast and Interior regions. Meghan brings extensive experience working with First Nations and leading projects that span archaeological assessments, impact mitigation, and cultural heritage training, including instruction for the provincially designated Archaeology RISC Certificate. Based in the South Okanagan since 2010, she has built strong relationships with local syilx communities and neighbouring nlaka'pamux, shuswap and ktunaxa communities, while retaining her close ties to the coast, with family ties to Alert Bay and the kwakwaka'wakw people.

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Melanie Piorecky, Director

Related to conservation and ecology, Melanie is happy to wear her vegetation ecologist hat, and applying that to restoration planning. She is passionate about working towards shared multiple land uses. Through collaboration she works to understand what those uses are, then figure out out best way to support them. This has been possible through her work as an environmental consultant, which began in 2000. Prior to that she worked for the Ministry of Forests as a rangeland manger in the Bulkley-Cassiar. Through her consulting and volunteer work she has specialized in vegetation ecology, botany for rare plant surveys, soil science, agricultural land use, reclamation and restoration planning, beneficial use of organics and climate change implications to project planning. Her consulting work is driven by regulatory requirements, but Melanie capitalizes on opportunities to collaborate between groups for the benefit of all land users, including wildlife!

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Past Directors

Amanda Millar, Director

Dianne Bersea, Chair

Natasha Lukey, Treasurer

Susan Latimer, Secretary

Patrick Ling-Allen, Treasurer

Sara Ashpole, Chair, Co-Founder

Anthea Bryan, Vice-Chair, Co-Founder

Carolina Restrepo-Tamayo, Treasurer, Co-Founder

Mellhina Thibault, Secretary, Co-Founder

Hilary Sampson, Director, Co-Founder

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