Who We Are
Are you passionate about protecting our natural ecosystems, fostering community engagement, and supporting cutting-edge ecological research? Cedar Coast Society is currently for dedicated, forward-thinking leaders to join our Board of Directors.
Dr. Jody Weir
Research Director
Jody holds an MSc in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Texas A&M University and a PhD in Biology and Anthropology from the University of Victoria. Since 2010, she has managed a community conservation project focused on lemurs in Madagascar. Currently, Jody directs research programs for Kaikōura’s Hector’s and dusky dolphins, as well as the local population of little penguins. She has a deep interest in animal behavior research and is passionate about using insights from both wildlife and human behaviors to reduce threats to wildlife and the environment.
Brenda Hookman
Research Director
Brenda Hookham studied biology and education at the University of Victoria. She graduated with a MSc, studying the development and evolution of intertidal marine whelks. In addition, she completed the Post-Degree Professional Program to teach secondary science. Currently, Brenda lives with her family in the lower mainland and teaches biology labs at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Brenda is passionate about science education, the rocky intertidal, and marine invertebrates. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and running.
Marcie Callewaert
Education Director
Marcie graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Education in 2014. She has been passionate about marine sciences since a young age when she would play in tidal pools for hours on end. Marcie taught at Maaqtusiis Elementary School in Ahousaht, BC for two years before pursuing other opportunities in the community which led her to sharing her love of place with students and teachers alike through place based education. You can often find her with her furbabies or behind a camera, and sometimes both. She lives with her husband, Skookum, at Yarksis Reserve on Vargas Island.
Kay Gray
Director of Treasury
Kay and her spouse recently relocated from North Vancouver to the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. After growing up on a small farm in Ladner, Kay moved to Vancouver to attend school, work, and raise a family. Recently retired from the practice of accounting, Kay is now realizing her dream of returning to farm-life and getting reconnected with the great outdoors. Kay is an FCPA, FCGA, a member of Society of Trust and Estate Professionals, the Institute of Corporate Directors, and has many years experience as a volunteer board director.
Skookum John
Director at Large
Skookum John is a member of the Ahousaht Nation. His father, Murray John was from Ahousaht and Keltsmaht Nations and his mother, Sarah Paul was from Ahousaht and Hesquiaht. Skookum spent his early years working in the logging and aquaculture industry before starting his own water taxi and ecotourism company. In 2015 he began to learn about and advocate against the destruction of the environment. He is working to educate others about the importance of a healthy marine ecosystem and how it impacts traditional food sources. In NuuChahNulth culture there is a saying: Hishuk-ish tsawalk, which means “Everything is One” and that is the guiding principle behind Skookum’s lifestyle. He lives with his wife, Marcie, at Yarksis Reserve on Vargas Island.
Brad Fraser
Director at Large
Brad was raised with the culture of Friluftsliv which is the Norwegian concept of moving using human power and experiencing the joy of being immersed in nature. You will find Brad out skiing glaciers, kayaking rivers-oceans and sharing his love of nature with students. He has brought a variety of groups to Cedar Coast and believes that the biodiversity of Clayquot Sound can have a transformative impact on individuals. Having the opportunity to witness the vast diversity and abundance of life can help reinforce the importance of taking care of place. He is dedicated to working with other board members to help build educational programming which reinforces care of place, care of others and care of self.
Simon Nessman
Founder
Raised on a forested acreage on Hornby Island, B.C., Simon developed a strong connection to the ecology of the west coast from a young age. At age 17 he moved to New York City to pursue a career in advertising, while attending interdisciplinary classes at Hunter College. After 5 years in NYC Simon moved to an off-grid boat access property on Vargas Island, where he developed the idea for an ecological field station in Clayoquot Sound. Refining this idea became the focus of his education at Quest University Canada, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and Science in 2017.
