Our team

info@acoc.ca

Renata Woodward is a seasoned land trust practitioner who has spent most of her career working to protect the environment across Canada. Most of her experience in the land trust sector was gained as CEO of Nature Trust of New Brunswick and most recently as Executive Director of the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts. She is a progressive leader, effective decision-maker, visionary, great communicator, and manager who can display sound judgment and brings the best out of a team of passionate and diverse people. Her expertise lies within the realms of capacity building, engagement organizing, biodiversity, and land conservation. She is a natural connector who wants to bring people togeth to protect the environment that will allow future generations to survive on our planet.

OpheliaBile-Aka@aclt.ca

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in Biology from the University of Ottawa, Ophélia Bilé-Aka continued her commitment to environmental causes and social inequalities by completing a Master’s in Environment and Sustainable Development at the University of Montreal, specializing in social issues and governance. Curious, motivated, and dynamic, she is passionate about climate justice and dedicated to nature conservation. These qualities naturally led her to join the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts in July 2024 as the Operations and Programs Coordinator. In this role, she leverages her skills and enthusiasm to develop and support innovative conservation projects and actively contribute to preserving our environment for current and future generations.

iancattridge@gmail.com

Ian Attridge is of Celtic heritage and grateful to live as a settler guest in Nogojiwanong, Michi Saagiig Nishinaabeg territory (aka Peterborough, Ontario). An ecologist and lawyer, he practices, teaches, and advocates for conservation and non-profit law and policy, and has led development of land trusts, protected areas, and related law in Ontario and elsewhere. Over the last decade, Ian has worked with various Indigenous communities to develop Indigenous-led land trusts and assist with Land Back projects on “private” lands. With the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts, he supports Indigenous land trusts and encourages conservation land trusts to deepen their relations with Indigenous communities where they are active. Ian also chairs the Board of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, teaches at Trent University, and is active in local community and ally organizations.

HallieRobinson@aclt.ca

Shaped by the vibrant natural landscapes she grew up in, Hallie Robinson earned her Environmental Studies degree from the University of Ottawa; developing core skills for a meaningful contribution to the environmental sector. During her studies, she gained fieldwork experience in the glaciers of Iceland and was awarded a research fellowship to explore human relationships with Nature. After contributing to ACLTs mission as a volunteer and consultant,Hallie is excited to join the team as the Engagement and Communications Coordinator and amplify the achievements of land conservation across so-called Canada.

Nawafalkherayf@aclt.ca

Nawaf Alkherayf is a third-year student at the University of Ottawa pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. His work spans political research, privacy compliance, advocacy coordination, and organizational development. Nawaf is strongly committed to social equity, environmental sustainability, and civic engagement, reflected in his diverse experiences across the non-profit, legal, and public sectors. In his current role, Nawaf is supporting national advocacy, fund development, and strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening land conservation efforts across Canada.

Brice is a geographer and executive director of the Réseau de milieux naturels protégés (RMN). He received his degree in geography at Sorbonne University and a masters of environment at university of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée. He found a passion for conservation work through his master’s program in Geography at the University of Sherbrooke and as a project coordinator with Corridor Appalachien. Brice gained experience as a consultant in social and environmental geography that supported NGOs in their missions. Brice joined RMN in 2019 and became the executive director in 2022.

Tim is a conservation biologist and the President of the Cumberland-based Latitude Conservation Solutions Company. He has over 20 years of experience working to protect and restore biodiversity in BC. Tim is the Executive Director of the Comox Valley Land Trust and volunteers on the Board of Directors for three organizations: Project Watershed, the Land Trust Alliance of BC, and the Association of Canadian Land Trusts – all of which are working to protect and restore environmental values. His work has involved extensive land securement and restoration projects. Tim is a 4th generation Vancouver Islander and spends his free time roaming the wilds of the island and beyond.

Max brings a unique suite of skills from an extensive business background. His previous senior positions have harnessed a passion for advocating for Alberta’s world class landscape, the critical fabric of rural communities and the people that care for it. He is a perceptive individual who enjoys working with organizations in building realistic strategic solutions that collectively advance relevance and purpose. Currently, Max is the Executive Director of Western Sky Land Trust, a regional land conservation organization focused on southern Alberta. Here, he has the pleasure of safeguarding the beauty of our natural landscape in partnership with ranchers and farmers that share those same values. He also is an active member of the Regional Land Trusts of Alberta.

Alison is the Executive Director of Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA). She has been a passionate supporter of land and environmental protection for many years. Before joining OLTA, she held positions leading teams focused on protecting habitats and species in the context of sustainable development and changing land use policy.  Her career experience includes leadership in business and financial development, team building, and operations.  Alison has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology and a Research Masters in Ecology and Environmental Management. She has 25 years of experience working in the field of conservation and natural heritage protection, in both for-profit and not-for-profit positions.  Alison lives in Toronto with her family and spends as much time as she can hiking, biking, and spending time outdoors.

Joaquin Riesgo has a BA in Biology with a concentration in Ecology from the University of Sherbrooke and he is also in the process of obtaining his MA in Biodiversity Conservation at the University of Buenos Aires (in collaboration with WCS). He worked for WWF in Australia where he participated in a mapping tools development project and promoted sustainable community development in coastal communities. Mr. Riesgo was also an interpretive naturalist guide at Yamaska National Park. He joined the SETHY Land Trust as coordinator of conservation strategies and threatened species in August 2020.

Since then, he has taken part in numerous conservation projects to protect important natural environments or wildlife habitats mainly in the Haute-Yamaska region. Among other things, he created and implemented the first conservation strategy for species in precarious situations in the territory of Haute-Yamaska. He has developed and implemented several conservation plans, including the Mount Yamaska Conservation Plan, the Boivin Lake Nature Interpretation Centre, the Granby Peatlands and the Rang Bog in Egypt. Finally, he worked on several projects promoting threatened and vulnerable species, such as the establishment of a series of nesting management for several swallow species.

A natural collaborator, he also participates in several committees such as the Montérégiennes Hills Coalition, the 2030 Agenda and the collaborative project Priority Places Designated by Communities for the Protection of Species at Risk.

Bonnie is the founding executive director of the highly successful Nova Scotia Nature Trust. She has led many ambitious land conservation and fundraising campaigns, helped to nurture collaborative conservation initiatives with governments, land trusts and Indigenous partners, and is part of a group of land trust leaders working to nurture and strengthen the land trust community across the country. Bonnie and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust have led many exciting conservation “firsts”: opening the door to ‘cross-border conservation’ in Canada – founding what is now the American Friends of Canadian Conservation; inspiring change to national and provincial policy to remove barriers/incentivize private land conservation; and breaking new ground in conservation easement application in Canada. She has degrees in environmental studies, biology, outdoor recreation and education, and a diverse professional background encompassing land trusts/land conservation, parks and protected areas, environmental consulting, as well as adventure and environmental education, across Canada and abroad.

Mr. Gregory Wickware, MSc. has been a research scientist and small business entrepreneur involved in the management of natural resources and the spatial information management industry for over 45 years.  He has worked as a research scientist for the Canadian Federal Government, founded Geomatics International Inc. in 1988, and most recently, served as Director, Marketing and Business Development for large multinational engineering consulting firms in the Middle East and Europe.  Following his retirement in 2015, he joined the Board of Directors of the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust where he served as Vice-Chair and Chair until the spring of 2022. In July 2020, Mr. Wickware joined the National Working Group Committee established to ascertain the potential for establishing a national Canadian land trust organization. In the fall of 2021, the ACLT was established, and he has served since that time as a member of the Interim Board of Directors.

Darran O’Leary is a Land Manager with the Passamaquoddy Recognition Group, where he has spent the past eight years focused on land conservation and stewardship through Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and other private land conservation tools. He is also committed to relationship building with other Indigenous Nations, governments, and environmental organizations such as the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.

Darran is a proud father of two and a longtime coach of softball and hockey. Prior to working for his Nation, he held a variety of roles in sales, manufacturing, real estate, management, and business development in both Canada and the United States.

Kristyn Ferguson is the Managing Director and a founding member of the Ontario Conservation Accelerator. Kristyn has a B.Sc in Environmental Biology from the University of Guelph, and an MES in Restoration Ecology from the University of Waterloo. Prior to taking on the exciting challenge of launching the Ontario Conservation Accelerator Kristyn worked for the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Ontario Region, where she was a Program Director across various areas, including building and launching the Ontario Large Landscapes Program, one of the most
successful and innovative conservation programs in the organization’s history. Kristyn led the acquisition of the Boreal Wildlands project, conserving 350,000 acres in northern Ontario.
Kristyn is passionate about creative deal-making, Indigenous-led conservation, unique partnership opportunities, piloting new conservation tools, complex problem-solving, and believes that conservation works best when everyone plays a role. On her days off you might find her hiking and cycling entire trail systems for fun.

Richelle Martin is a staff lawyer with East Coast Environmental Law and also maintains a private practice in New Brunswick where she focuses on environmental, Aboriginal, and Indigenous law. She began her legal career as an articling clerk at the Court of Appeal of New Brunswick after earning her law degree from the University of Ottawa.
Richelle’s years of experience working with the Nature Trust of New Brunswick and in support of Indigenous-lead conservation initiatives have shaped her commitment to environmental conservation, environmental justice, and the advancement of Indigenous rights. She is passionate about using her legal skills to support communities and advocates working at the intersection of these issues.
She lives in Fredericton, in the Wolastoqey territory, and enjoys spending time outdoors with her energetic toddler, family, and friends.

Paul Chapman is the executive director of the Nanaimo & Area Land Trust (NALT) and sits on the Board of the Land Trust Alliance of BC. Paul began with NALT in 2008 and worked through various positions in the organization before becoming executive director in 2017. During Paul’s time with NALT he has helped build relationships through the Nanaimo River Watershed Roundtable, The Mid Island Stewardship Caucus, and the Watershed Moments Team. Paul has taken to heart NALT’s mission to support, promote, and protect the natural values of land and
water in our area. When not working to build relationships within the conservation community or across sectors, Paul spends his time hiking through the forests of Vancouver Island whenever he can.