Tarah Stafford
Tarah Stafford is a screenwriter and climate communicator who has spent decades working to amplify the voices of those fighting for a better world and to bend the curve on climate change. Over the years, she has founded and led numerous initiatives at the intersection of the natural world, climate action and community engagement, from Vote Climate to Cool Neighbourhoods – honored by the UN for its groundbreaking work in community GHG reductions – to global decarbonization and digital democracy projects with cities, rural communities and Indigenous Nations. She is a partner in Elephant Room Communications and a founding member of The Climate Coordination Network which supports, encourages and has distributed several million dollars in grant funding to early-stage climate projects around the world.
Tara Martin
Dr. Tara Martin is a Professor of Conservation Decision Science in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of British Columbia and was recently awarded the inaugural Liber Ero Chair in Conservation. Tara is a pioneer in the field of conservation decision making — combining ecological data with decision science to bridge the gap between research and on-ground conservation action and policy. Her current research interests include prioritizing threat management for biodiversity conservation; climate adaptation and mitigation under global change; understanding shifting baselines and informing eco-cultural restoration; and making decisions under uncertainty. Tara is the recipient of The Nature Conservancy Professor in Practice Award, Thomson Reuters Citation & Innovation Award for her work in Climate change decision making and a Wilburforce Conservation Fellowship. She co-leads the Climate Adaptation theme within the IUCN Climate Change Specialist Group. Tara was born on Salt Spring Island and the focus of much of her team’s work is on understanding cumulative impacts in the Salish Sea and using this information to inform conservation action. For more on her research visit taramartin.org.
Michelle Venter
Michelle Venter is a climate change scientist specializing in natural resource management and ecosystem carbon cycling. Her work brings together people, policy, and ecology to support resilient landscapes and communities, and she is delighted to contribute to the stewardship of Salt Spring Island.
Michael Dragland
Michael Dragland is an environmentally conscious builder on Salt Spring. He focuses on combining ancient wisdom and modern technology, minimizing environmental impact, using recycled and salvaged materials, non-toxic substances, rainwater catchment and reclamation systems, native vegetation and energy efficiency, while being mindful of our privilege and honour to live and work here on this beautiful island.
Alex Harris
Alex Harris, born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, calls the Salish Sea home. Since a young age, she has fostered a deep connection and responsibility to the environment. She first picked up a camera at the age of nine, photographing wildlife and friends and started a Shutterbug Club in highschool. She went on to study Geography at the University of British Columbia and while there started to pursue photography and filmmaking. She quickly found herself thriving in a niche of environmental and social justice storytelling.
Alex sees media as a critical tool to uplift voices, elicit empathy, inspire action, and create change. She values ongoing community relationships and is humbled to work alongside dedicated environmental stewards and community leaders.