Our team

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 together to protect the environment that will allow future generations to survive on our planet.

Based along the Kichi Zībī (Ottawa River), Hallie is grateful to live and work as a guest on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe Territory, guided by the principles of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum.
Inspired by the natural landscapes she grew up in, Hallie Robinson pursued a degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Ottawa, building a strong foundation in environmental research, community engagement, and sustainability. During their studies, they gained fieldwork experience on Iceland’s glaciers and received a research fellowship to explore human relationships with nature.
After first joining ACLT as a volunteer and consultant, Hallie progressed from Engagement and Communications Coordinator to Engagement and Programs Lead, where they continue to amplify the impact and achievements of land trusts across so-called Canada.

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.

Bilal Karim is a third-year Chemical Engineering student at the University of Ottawa, bringing a highly analytical and systems-driven perspective to the environmental non-profit sector. Fascinated by complex frameworks, he leverages a strong technical background to solve structural challenges. When he steps away from his academic and professional work, Bilal balances his time between reading, personal fitness, and seeking out practical ways to contribute positively to his community. In his current role as a Strategy and Planning Intern at ACLT, Bilal is helping to build the digital infrastructure needed to empower and sustain land conservation alliances across Canada.

Sajdah Hema is a fifth-year Political Science student with a minor in Professional Writing at the University of Ottawa. After participating in the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Youth Program, Sajdah developed a strong interest in environmental conservation and the role that policy and research play in protecting Canada’s biodiversity. This passion, combined with her academic pursuit, led her to the Data Analyst role with the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts. In this position, Sajdah supports research, data analysis, and strategic initiatives that strengthen 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 ROCQ in 2019 and became the executive director in 2022.

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.

Melissa Cameron brings a strategic, nature-focused approach to her role as Executive Director of Island Nature Trust. A native of Toronto, Ontario, she holds a bilingual Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from York University and spent fifteen years in high-rise residential real estate, where she developed considerable expertise in project management and land use planning. Her passion for conservation and fundraising led her to join Island Nature Trust in 2022.

Since relocating to Prince Edward Island, Melissa has deepened her commitment to land conservation, extending her impact well beyond the Island. She serves on the boards of directors of the Alliance for Canadian Land Trusts and the Upton Farm Land Trust, and sits on advisory committees with the Centre for Land Conservation and Birds Canada, contributing to national conversations on land stewardship.

An Organic Master Gardener, Melissa lives in Orwell with her husband and four children, where she enjoys hiking, sailing, and gardening.

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.

Michael Nadler is a conservation leader with more than 25 years of senior executive experience in government and the not-for-profit sector. Born in Interior British Columbia, Michael’s first professional experiences were at a large wetland conservation complex in the southeastern corner of the province. After completing graduate studies in public administration at Carleton University, Michael joined the federal public service where he served in a number of leadership capacities, including serving as the Regional Director General for Nunavut with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada; leading federal negotiations of modern Indigenous rights and self-government agreements in the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories; and serving in senior executive roles with Parks Canada, including as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Michael left the federal public service to serve for three years as the Chief Executive Officer of Ducks Unlimited Canada, one of the largest not-for-profit nature conservancies in North America. Now mostly retired, Michael and his spouse split their time between Ottawa and Winnipeg and, each winter, a few weeks enjoying the powder snow of the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains of the Kootenays.

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.

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.

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.

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.