Meet Our Staff

Chessi Miltner

Executive Director

He/Him

Born and raised on Galiano, Chessi feels privileged to now work to protect and steward its lands and waters. He holds a MSc in Geography and a BA&Sc in Environmental Sciences from McGill University. His research has focused on a range of topics, from waste management technologies in urban environments, to traditional agroforestry practices in the Amazonian jungles of Peru. He is an avid kayaker, and has introduced tourists and locals alike to the beauty and ecological diversity of the Salish Sea for over 15 years as a kayak tour guide. When not at the Millard Learning Centre, Chessi is likely to be found outside exploring Galiano’s wild places with his kids.

Cedana Bourne

Sustainable Food Systems Coordinator

She/Her

Cedana has coordinated the GCA Native & Edible Plant Nursery and Food Forest for the last 10 years. She loves working with plants and has put her background in herbalism and holistic nutrition towards creating the GCA’s line of on-site harvested teas: Forest Garden Tea. She has taught workshops on seed saving, herbalism, composting, and many kinds of fermentation. She most enjoys helping folks to connect with nature and to grow resilient, sustainable food systems.

Adam Huggins – RPBio

Restoration Coordinator

He/Him

Adam is the Restoration Coordinator for the Galiano Conservancy and an Instructor in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. He holds a BSc in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria, as well as a Diploma in the Restoration of Natural Systems, and is a registered professional biologist. He has worked from central California to the north coast of BC at the intersection of applied ecology, ecological restoration, and conservation. He produces and co-hosts the Future Ecologies podcast, and is also an avid backpacker, musician, and naturalist.

Ria Okuda

Education Coordinator – Youth programs

She/Her

Ria was born and raised on Galiano; she then went across the country to Montreal where she studied at McGill University. After graduating with a BSc in Biology, Ria’s love for travel took her to many parts of the world where she gained experience in different cultures and field studies. She has now returned to beautiful Galiano to raise her family and share her passion and enthusiasm for education, conservation and Galiano’s community.

Martine Paulin

Development Coordinator

She/Her

A resident of Galiano for the past 30 years, Martine holds a B. Sc. F. degree in Forest Resources Management from UBC. She is also a certified chef with a varied background in Law, translating, kayak guiding, and has several years of experience working for non-profit organizations and managing/owning various businesses on the island. She is an outdoor enthusiast who loves camping, sea kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, biking and exploring nature with her dog Snoop, husband Christian and daughter Lili Jasmine. Playing music with friends, foraging, pottery, gardening, photography, fermenting and experimenting with food are some of her lifelong passions. She is thrilled to be a member of the Conservancy’s dedicated, dynamic and collaborative team.

Sarah Fleming

Education Coordinator – Post-secondary programs

She/Her

Sarah has a BA in Biology and Environmental Studies from Denison University, where her coursework took her to Bonaire. There she began scientific SCUBA diving and developed a strong passion for marine conservation. Moving forward, she spent several years abroad, from the Turks & Caicos Islands to the Cook Islands, instructing SCUBA and working for non-profit marine organizations. Sarah is in her happy place exploring Galiano’s beaches and forests with her husband, Jordan, and beagle, Arlo.

Katherine Hazen

Events & Outreach Coordinator

She/Her

Bio coming soon!

Lúthien Teel

Land Stewardship & Operations Lead

She/Her

Lúthien grew up on traditional, unceded W̱SÁNEĆ; & lək̓ʷəŋən territories with a close connection to Galiano, and is grateful to now be immersed in the beautiful community, forests, and waters of this island. When not on Galiano, she is pursuing a BSc in Marine Sciences, with a focus on the intertidal region. She has been a cook for the UVic Environmental Studies Field School at the Millard Learning Centre, and has been involved in ongoing climate action initiatives with the David Suzuki Foundation, Our Earth Our Future, and other organizations, as well as working in Victoria as a community life assistant. Lúthien is also an enthusiastic hiker, photographer, and artist, and can be found swimming in the ocean or learning to forage in the woods.

Tala Clark

MLC Operations Lead – On Maternity Leave

She/Her

Tala has had a great love of Galiano since she was a small child growing up on the Island. After living away from Galiano for many years she is so happy to have returned with her partner, Cassidy, to be closer to her family. Tala is happiest when working in her garden and exploring the beautiful forests and beaches of Galiano. She is very passionate about local food production and crafting with locally sourced materials. Tala feels very privileged to be working with such a dedicated and caring team.

Thomas Murtland

Administrative and Office Coordinator

He/Him

Thomas grew up on Galiano Island and is grateful to return to this beautiful place and work for the Galiano Conservancy. He is a proud Indigenous person and descendant of the Hul’qumi’num-speaking people who have called Galiano Island home for generations. After spending the past few years in the legal field abroad, he is excited to return to his roots on Galiano and support the Conservancy in its mission to protect, steward, and restore Galiano Island ecosystems.

Abby Matheson

Land Stewardship Technician (seasonal staff)

She/Her

Abby joins the Galiano Conservancy this spring and summer as the Land Stewardship Technician. An aspiring biologist, she graduated from UVic with a BSc in Geography and has had the opportunity to see many parts of the province through her love of field work. Abby  has called Revelstoke, traditional Sinixt, Ktunaxa, Secwèpemc, and Syilx territory, home for the past three years. While she feels a deep connection to the region, she is thankful for the opportunity to live, work, and learn from the inspiring team at the GCA. She hopes that Revelstoke can one day have a similar organization. When she isn’t bike touring, knitting, or learning to DJ, you might find Abby having a nap on the beach.

Kamilla Hindmarch

Ecosystem Technician (seasonal staff)

She/Her

Kamilla is working as an Ecosystem Technician for the Galiano Conservancy this May and June. She has a degree in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria. In the past year, she has been working in environmental research and consulting, with a focus on watershed security, marine ecology, and community-driven collaborative research. Kamilla is from the Sunshine Coast, the unceded traditional territories of the shíshálh Nation and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. When she’s not snorkeling in the kelp or hopping on her bicycle, Kamilla likes to blend ecology and art, and share her curiosity about the natural world through local species paintings and photography.

Olivia Sugden

Land Stewardship and Outreach Technician (seasonal staff)

She/Her

Olivia joins the Galiano Conservancy this summer as a Land Stewardship and Outreach Technician. Born and raised on Galiano, Olivia feels a strong connection to the island’s forests, waters and community. When not on Galiano, she is pursuing a BA in Psychology and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. She is grateful for the opportunity to work and learn from the team at the Conservancy, whose work on the island has helped to foster her love of the outdoors and protection of natural systems. When she isn’t at work, you can find her knitting, surfing, playing guitar, reading, or somewhere on Galiano’s many trails and beaches.

Natradee Quek

Intern (Seasonal)

Nat is with the Galiano Conservancy Association this May as an intern, grateful to spend time tending to the land with a great team. Born and raised where the Bow River meets the Elbow River (Calgary), she has an academic background in landscape architecture, art, and environment & society from UBC. Through previous work experience in ecological restoration on Ohlone lands (California) and more recent immersions involving permaculture and ecovillages in her mother’s homeland, Thailand, Nat loves getting her hands in the dirt and doing work in service of the earth. She is happiest spending time with plants and people, and wandering around by foot or bicycle.

Annika Johnston

Nursery and Restoration Technician (seasonal staff)

Annika is so excited to be working as the Nursery and Restoration Technician for the GCA this summer. She is currently pursuing a dual degree in Environmental and Indigenous Studies at the University of Victoria, and has been living and learning on the unceded territory of the WSANEC and Lekwungen speaking peoples for the past two years. She is most interested in regenerative food systems, and has been learning to fish and forage sustainably on the Island, and grow her own vegetables at a community garden in Victoria. Her other joys are surfing, painting, learning to write music, and any game that involves running around on a field.

Sofia Jeliazkov

Intern (seasonal staff)

Sofia is excited to be interning at the GCA this summer! Born and raised on the unceded territory of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ speaking peoples, she enjoys hiking, dancing, reading, and caring for her many houseplants in her spare time. She has worked previously in wild animal rehabilitation and is currently studying both Biology and Religions & Cultures at Concordia University in Tiohtià:ke (Montréal). She is especially interested in the application of interdisciplinary approaches to conservation and land stewardship.

Becky Carey

Intern (Seasonal)

Becky is interning at the GCA this summer. She’s from Germany, enrolled in an Ecology degree at the University of Greifswald. She’s grateful for being on Galiano and learning about the restoration work done at the conservancy and exploring the island. She loves dogs, COFFEE, and is super enthusiastic about peatlands.