Dr. Joe Muldoon has over 35 years’ experience with the Provincial and Federal Governments and as a private consultant. Joe’s background includes regulatory, policy and operational applications of environmental and resource management, conflict resolution, mediation, Indigenous relations and change management. His education includes a Doctorate in Public Policy (Nuclear Energy policy and climate change), Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science (Biology).
Dr. Muldoon has been involved in numerous positions, some include:
Private Consulting in oil and gas, environment and resources and Indigenous relations
Vice President, Saskatchewan Research Council responsible for Environment Division programming comprised of: Air and Climate; Environmental Performance; Forestry; and CLEANS program- uranium legacy mine sites cleanup in northern Saskatchewan and South America.
Senior Manager, Public Involvement and Aboriginal Affairs Branch, Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management
Biologist and Fisheries Sport and Commercial Manager in Lake Ontario
Manager of the Great Lakes Sea Lamprey Program, under the auspices of the International Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, Ann Arbour, Michigan, United States
Jody has had a lifelong appreciation of and interest in wild spaces and the inhabitants thereof. Jody, along with her husband Clint, run a custom grazing operation in the Parkland region southeast of Moosomin. The habitat they steward is all in permanent cover, and managed not only for productive cattle grazing but to promote and preserve a healthy habitat for the unique flora and fauna that exists in the remaining, but rapidly shrinking, permanent native and nonnative cover landscape of southeast Saskatchewan. They have enjoyed working with Ducks Unlimited and the Nature Conservancy of Canada to put conservation easements on over 4,000 of the acres they steward. They have also worked with Ducks Unlimited to restore wetlands on previously drained land. She is a founding member of Gateway Nature, and joined the board of Nature Saskatchewan in June of 2024.
Laura grew up on a mixed farm near Shaunavon. Her love of nature and plants led her to a BSA degree in Plant Ecology from the University of Saskatchewan. From there she started a career with PFRA/Agriculture Canada at Indian Head, SK as an agroforester with the Shelterbelt Centre. After the Centre was closed Laura worked as a biologist at the Indian Head Research Farm until 2024 when she retired from the federal service. She enjoys spending time in nature (hiking, canoeing, backpacking, camping), gardening and volunteering in her community. She believes in mentoring youth (including her grandkids) about the importance of being outside and connecting with nature and she is passionate about conserving our at-risk prairie ecosystems.
Ed Rodger recently re-joined the Nature Saskatchewan board, and had served previously in terms as Treasurer, President and Conservation Director. He also volunteers as a caretaker in the NS Important Bird Areas program. His current conservation interests include Nature Saskatchewan involvement in the Motus wildlife monitoring network, a University of Saskatchewan project for the digital preservation of legacy field-note data, and support of the Chaplin Nature Centre. He lives in Regina and is retired from an Information Technology career at SaskTel. He spends as much time as possible playing music, and enjoys gardening, cycling, cross-country skiing, travelling, beekeeping, and researching and memorializing the experiences of World War 2 veterans, especially his father.
Lorne has spent six decades in various areas of conservation work in Saskatchewan. Activities have included building bluebird nest boxes, banding birds, serving on boards of several local, provincial, national and international conservation organizations. He has also helped initiate several special lobby campaigns in defense of biodiversity conservation and was embroilled in legal challenges while defending nature. Lorne is completing his term as President of Nature Saskatchewan but will continue to be here working with others to protect the natural diversity in our great province.
Family vacations in Waskesiu and a student position in Forillon National Park led Donna to her first "real job" — park naturalist in Prince Albert National Park. After several years with Parks Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) she shifted to city life, working with co-operatives, and embraced local nature societies to help fill the outdoor void. A past president of the Regina and Saskatoon nature societies and Nature Saskatchewan, Donna brought her organizational tendencies and experience working with boards of directors to groups and activities she cares about greatly. Now retired, she appreciates having time for the garden and a bit of travel as well as serving as Nature Saskatchewan's Special Publications editor, guiding the creation of books from pages of words—a most fascinating enterprise! Donna also coordinates publication sales for the Saskatoon Nature Society, manages the Pike Lake Christmas Bird Count and has been a breeding bird surveyor since 1989. The opportunity to serve the society as Honorary President is a humbling but welcome surprise; Donna looks forward to reading meeting minutes knowing she is not responsible for any of the assigned tasks!
Jacquie has spent a number of years working in the field of plant ecology research. More recently she spent time working as a nature therapy guide and in the field of natural health. She has also been actively involved with various local and provincial conservation organizations throughout the years. Jacquie loves helping connect people to nature to deepen their relationship with the natural world. She feels fortunate to be involved with Nature Saskatchewan with the organization's vision of humanity in harmony with nature.
Diego Steinaker is a conservation ecologist with expertise in habitat management and ecological research. He has led projects on conservation agreements and habitat restoration in southwest Saskatchewan, collaborating with diverse stakeholders. Currently, Diego serves as Rangeland Ecologist at SODCAP Inc. and sits on the Board of Directors for Nature Saskatchewan. Previously, he held leadership roles at SK PCAP, the Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution, and worked in grassland management in Argentina. Holding a Ph.D. in Plant Ecology from the University of Regina, Diego has extensive experience in research, teaching, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to the advancement of ecological conservation and sustainable grassland management.
Sara grew up in the boreal forest with a love for all living things and the surrounding nature. At 13 she was gifted her first birding field guide by a family friend and she was hooked. This love of the forest and all things nature led to Sara to a degree in Environmental Science at the University of Winnipeg. During university, Sara was also a summer student for MB Conservation, which opened her eyes to the diversity of the prairie landscape and biome. She moved to Saskatoon in 2012, where she discovered the Saskatoon Nature Society, and felt like she had found her people, her place. Sara soon went from joining to leading trips (especially botany) and then became a board member. She is currently the Conservation Committee Chair. As she has a great passion for nature conservation, Sara is also on the steering committee of Wild About Saskatoon, the Swale Watchers, the Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation fundraising committee, and very happily became a board member of Nature Saskatchewan in 2024.
Bill is a semi-retired farmer assisting his son and his family on the farm. He grew up on the farm and except for a short time teaching he has farmed all his life. Bill enjoys working on their farmyard and trying to enhance diversity for wildlife as well as sustainability for the farm as a whole. He also enjoys woodworking and working with stone in the winter.
Keith is still actively farming on his home farm with his family near the Qu’Appelle valley at Katepwa. A long time member of the Fort Qu’Appelle Natural History Society, he is always keen on bringing people together to learn about nature; leading their annual butterfly count and organizing and participating in bird surveys, mushroom forays and bioblitzes. Keith enjoys seeing technology progress and has quickly adopted identification apps and resources as they emerge including BirdNET-Pi and BatNET-Pi for real time sound identification. His farm land has been the site of various research projects over the years.
Morley and his wife Paula live on a small farm south of Yorkton. Both are now retired. Prior to retiring, Morley was employed by the Good Spirt School Division as a classroom teacher and in school administrator. While Morley is no longer actively farming he still keeps and enjoys a small cow herd.
Morley is a willow basket maker and juried member of the Saskatchewan Craft Council. He is a member of the Yellowhead Nature Society and very involved with the Treaty Land Sharing Network. His other interests include gardening, birding, photography, camping, fishing and anything else that involves time outdoors. Morley will be quick to tell you that all that he does becomes much more enjoyable when accompanied by grandchildren.
Chuck Deschamps recently retired after a 42 year conservation career working in all 3 prairie provinces for the Ministry of Environment, Canadian Wildlife Service, and Ducks Unlimited Canada (34 years). Chuck holds an Honours degree in Wildlife Management and has assisted several Saskatchewan communities in developing and promoting ecotourism, establishing nature trails and nature centres, and played a key role in establishing the Saskatchewan Bird Trail, and the Quill Lakes International Bird Area. He is a member of several boards and stakeholder groups, including the Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP).
He has direct experience working with landowners, farmers, and ranchers on tens of thousands of acres to adopt conservation farming practices and protect native prairie areas. During his time at Ducks Unlimited Canada, Chuck worked as a DUC policy specialist, engaging the Ministry of Agriculture, the Water Security Agency (WSA), watershed groups, agricultural organizations, and other conservation organizations to protect native prairie on Crown land, and to conserve wetlands. This resulted in conservation easements on hundreds of thousands of acres of Crown Land and WSA adopting a policy that required the retention of wetlands when issuing drainage approvals.
Rick was born in Kamsack, SK and recently retired to Regina following a career in conservation that included experience in the private sector, government and non-government organizations including:
Following five years at the SK Wetland Conservation Corporation (the coordinating agency for North American Waterfowl Management Plan work in Saskatchewan), as Manager of Marketing and Communications, he moved to SK Environment and Resource Management for 11 years where he held positions of Director of Communications, Director of Policy, and Executive Director of Policy and Planning.
He joined Ottawa-based Canadian Wildlife Federation in 2009 and over 15 years held positions of Regional Director for Western Canada, Executive Director, and, for the final 8 years, Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Volunteer Experience
Rick served 4 years on the board of directors of IUCN Canada, the coordinating agency for Canadian members of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature), including two years as President.
In 2016 Rick was elected to the global Council (Board of Directors) of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, located in Gland Switzerland, serving two terms (9 years). During this period he served on the organization’s Finance and Audit Committee, including 5 years as Committee Chair and as a member of Bureau (Executive Board).
Peter Brown was born on a hog and cash crop farm in Southwestern Ontario. He received an undergraduate degree in Agriculture from the University of Guelph majoring in Crop Science and minoring in International Agriculture. Peter began his career as an assistant Agriculture Representative with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food working with farmers on financial statements and dairy nutrition. Later he joined one of the major banks as an Agrologist, then a commercial account manager and, eventually, Director of Agriculture in the bank’s Toronto headquarters. Peter moved then to another bank working on special programs and marketing to farmers before coming west to Saskatchewan. For the past 8 years he and his family have resided in Regina. During most of his time in Saskatchewan, Peter worked with dairy producers as General Manager of Saskmilk. Peter is married with a 20-year old daughter and teenage son. Peter has always had a love of nature and has spent a great deal of time hiking in local parks, particularly Conservation Authority parks in Ontario. Running, travelling and reading are his other hobbies.
Rebecca Magnus was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, and spent most of her childhood summers at Last Mountain Lake. Rebecca has her Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Biology from University of Regina and a Diploma in Integrated Resource Management from SIAST Woodland Campus (now Sask PolyTechnic). Rebecca has been working with Nature Saskatchewan since 2007, first as a Habitat Stewardship Assistant followed by two summers working on the Rare Plant Search and Monitoring Crew. Rebecca was the Shrubs for Shrikes, Plovers on Shore and Stewards of Saskatchewan banner program coordinator from 2010 to 2021. During that time, she covered management roles a number of times as the Conservation and Education Manager and the Species at Risk Manager, where she is now permanently. When Rebecca is not keeping up with her two boys’ sports and activities, you can find her, along with her boys and husband, out in nature!
Lacey Weekes grew up on a farm East of Biggar where she spent most of her childhood outdoors. She graduated with a Resource Management diploma from SIAST and an Environmental Biology degree from the University of Regina. Lacey began working for Nature Saskatchewan in 2008 as a summer assistant and came back for a second summer in 2009. She came on as Operation Burrowing Owl coordinator in 2010 and now Lacey is pleased to be the Conservation and Education Manager. Lacey has a passion for environmental education and conservation and she shares this passion with her four girls.
Ellen Bouvier grew up in Regina, SK and spent the majority of her childhood exploring nature. Most family time was spent hiking, horseback riding or just appreciating the natural world. Ellen completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Geography at the University of Regina in 2004 and began working with Nature Saskatchewan in 2008. Ellen lives in Regina with her husband and two children.
Although born and raised in the city of Regina, Ashley’s favorite place to be is out in the prairie. She has always been passionate about wildlife and started working with species at risk in 2008. Since then, she has been lucky enough to be able to work with many of the species that call Saskatchewan home. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees from the University of Regina and started with Nature Saskatchewan shortly after as a Habitat Stewardship Coordinator in January 2014. Working with the Stewards of Saskatchewan programs for over a decade, Ashley is currently the Habitat Stewardship Coordinator for the Rare Plant Rescue program. She is looking forward to continue working with a great team of peers and land stewards, and sharing her passion for nature with her two small children.
Grace Pidborchynski has been working with Nature Saskatchewan since 2023, where she started out as the Habitat Stewardship Assistant for Rare Plant Rescue during the summer and was fortunate enough to stay on as the Conservation Database Technician. Eventually, she transitioned into her current role as the Habitat Stewardship Coordinator for Operation Burrowing Owl. Her roots are in Manitoba, where she grew up in a small town in the southwest corner of the province. Grace graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science, concentrating in ecology and environmental biology. Throughout her education and into today, her passion lies with environmental conservation and strives to conserve habitat for all species. Her favourite place to be is out in nature, where she can be found cross-country skiing, fishing, or practicing her wildlife photography skills.
Emily Putz
Plovers on Shore/Shrubs for Shrikes Coordinator
Hello Everyone! I first started working for Nature Saskatchewan as a Student Summer Assistant in 2014. In 2015, I graduated from the University of Regina, gained some experience with species at risk (such as Piping Plover, Tiger Beetles, and Lamprey), and was back with Nature Sask as the Rare Plant Rescue Coordinator the next year! Since my initial term as RPR coordinator, I’ve had a chance to try my hand at all the programs, spending time as Database Tech, OBO Coordinator, and back to RPR! I am now permanently coordinating the Shrubs for Shrikes, Plovers on Shore, and SOS Banner Program. I have enjoyed spreading the word about the amazing critters I work with and hearing all the amazing stories and the enthusiasm Saskatchewan’s people have for them! Whether its Loggerhead Shrikes, Piping Plovers, or Monarch Butterflies, our province never disappoints with the incredible species that call it home. While not out in the field scoping out Species-at-risk, I live on my 30-acre property by Silton, SK with my dogs, cats, horses, geese, ducks, and sheep. And one very understanding and loving fiancé Evan!
Jordan Rustad
Conservation Coordinator and LMBO Bander in Charge
Jordan Rustad
Conservation Coordinator and LMBO Bander in Charge
Jordan Rustad has been an avid animal lover since a young age. She grew up in small town Saskatchewan on a farm with a multitude of animals including cows, chickens, turkeys, ducks, dogs, and cats. Her foray into biology began in high school where she had the opportunity to go bird banding, first at Craven, then Last Mountain Bird Observatory. Jordan volunteered or worked at the station since 2012 and has since become Bander-in-charge. While she has worked mainly with LMBO, she has also worked with Nature Sask’s habitat stewardship programs and currently works as Conservation Coordinator under the Important Bird Area/Key Biodiversity program, and as a chairperson for Bird Friendly Regina, and has helped with the expansion of the Motus network in Saskatchewan. Jordan is also completing her Master’s of Science from the University of Regina, and her thesis focuses on urban wildlife. She lives in Regina with her husband, and menagerie of animals, spending her free time knitting and reading.
Asher was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan into a family of campers and nature lovers. He spent many summers as a youth camping, learning about plants and enjoying the outdoors. As he grew older, he joined Wild Outside where he found out he loves trash cleanups and seeing the places he has helped clean grow and change. From there he attended the land-based education course at Campus Regina Public. After high school he moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan to attend Saskatchewan Polytechnics Integrated Resource Management course where he continuously left his comfort zone and learned a lot about himself and his interests in nature. Through his interests he began working with Nature Sask in 2023 and is happy to be back for another summer! As a banding assistant in May and August he loves watching out the window for his favorite bird the Mourning Dove and he loves listening to their sweet melancholic sound. In June and July, he is creating social media content and assisting with kids outdoor events. One of his favorite things is seeing youth find their passion for nature whether that be plants, insects, or animals. He wants to encourage that passion and see the next generation of naturalists. Asher loves being near water and observing how wildlife interacts with each other.
