Our Story

I visited Telegraph Cove on my first sea kayak experience shortly after my initial introduction to the Island. I eagerly returned the following year for a double kayak trip to Johnstone Strait and Nootka Sound. While on the first leg of the trip, I slept on a small outcropping overlooking the Strait. In the middle of the night, I woke to the incredible sound of a killer whale exhale. Just below me was the outline of a mom and baby killer whale in the phosphorescence! That moment changed my life. I knew I had to be on Vancouver Island to pursue my passions. I went back to Calgary after my trip, quit my job and moved to Victoria a few weeks later.

In the spring of 1997, I was in Telegraph Cove getting situated for my summer job as a naturalist and deckhand at Stubbs Island Whale Watching. It was such a magical place to me, so it was no surprise when I “bumped into” my future husband! That summer, in addition to working for Stubbs, I volunteered and fundraised for the Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Centre (now know as “The Whale Museum”) where I presented slideshows at various campgrounds in the area. My goal was to educate visitors about killer whales and the importance of Whale Watching Guidelines. My purpose was to instill a sense of respect for wildlife. My belief was, the more people knew about the wildlife, the greater the respect they would have and do their best to reduce their impact on the environment as a whole. The following summer I worked for Bion Research and the BC Parks Warden Program at Robson Bight. I continued to take my slide projector and generator to remote kayak camps and campgrounds to present slide shows and spread the word. I was 6 months pregnant when I finished up with the Warden Program. Living in a tent on a remote island took its toll!

As part of the final stages of my Master’s thesis in 2002, I applied for and received a $100,000 DFO grant with my supervisor. That grant was the official beginning of the Straitwatch North Program modeled after the southern Vancouver Island Soundwatch Program.

While my life took me in a different direction following my Master’s Program, my heart has always been on Vancouver Island. Our family is a product of island living and the path our kids have taken is an indication of our profound connection to this place. Our oldest son (Jake) was a fishing guide at Sund’s Lodge on Malcolm Island for 3 years. He followed that up with a year at Rugged Point Lodge in Kyoquot. He met his wife, Alex while working at Sund’s Lodge. She has a 20+ year history at Echo Bay in the Broughtons. Jake is now a busy Heavy Duty Mechanic and our youngest son (Josh) is going to school to become a Heavy Duty Mechanic as well.  Josh has been actively involved in the business since the beginning of our ownership.  He is a huge asset as our “go-to” on the ground fix-it guy.

My heart, my soul, and my family are embedded in this place. I live here because I can and I realize I am lucky to do so. I am a better human being as a result. I look forward to the next chapters of my life……

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Zoology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. 1995

Masters of Arts in Environment and Management, Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC. 2002.

     Thesis: Designing an Education Program to Manage the Undesirable Effects of Whale Watching.

Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, OR. 2008

OTHER

Registered Acupuncturist (Province of BC) – North Island Acupuncture, Telegraph Cove

Licensed Acupuncturist (State of Montana)

Intermediate Marina Management, Association of Marina Industries. Fort Lauderdale, 2019