Current Executive: 2020 - 2021
PresidenT – Matt Dyson
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Matt is a PhD Candidate in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo studying waterfowl demography in the western boreal forest. Matt completed his BSc at the University of Northern British Columbia in 2013 and was active in their student chapter during his undergrad. Matt received his MSc from the University of Western Ontario in 2015, where he studied habitat selection and survival of wood ducks. Matt has been an active member of the Canadian Section as a member of the executive board as Student Rep and Secretary-Treasurer, and as a committee member for the website, newsletter, education, and membership and recruitment committees. Matt also holds an Associate Wildlife Biologist certification through TWS. Matt is interested in promoting the value and importance of a professional society/network of wildlife biologists in Ontario through helping to re-energize the Ontario Chapter. Matt enjoys spending time fishing, hunting, and hiking with family. Keep up with Matt on twitter @DysonWildlife.
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PresidenT Elect – Don Barnes
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In 2013, I retired from Lakehead University after 40 years of service, where I worked to develop their first fish and wildlife program within the Faculty of Natural Resources Management. Being a university educator and a member of TWS, both since 1974, my interest has always centered on student involvement culminating with my mentorship of TWS Student Chapter at Lakehead University. I have maintained professional status within TWS by receiving my CWB® designation in 1999. In addition, I have been affiliated with the OCTWS and the CSTWS since their inception. At present, I am Chair of the CSTWS Certification Committee, a member of the CSTWS Education Committee, and a member of TWS Certification Liaison Committee.
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Past President - Danielle Ethier
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Danielle has spent the last decade studying species-at-risk in Ontario’s agroecosystems, resolving critical ecological knowledge gaps to better inform recovery planning and implementation. Specifically, for her PhD, Danielle developed an applied research program on Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark to better inform Ontario’s Grassland Stewardship Initiative. Danielle is also a founder and manager of the Ontario Badger Project, which uses interdisciplinary research approaches, including extensive public outreach, to understand the habitat characteristics and resources needs of this elusive carnivore. Danielle is currently working as a Bird Population Scientist with Birds Canada.
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Secretary - Scott Pynn
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Scott is a passionate advocate for the sustainable management of healthy wildlife populations. He is currently working as a Wildlife Policy Intern for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). In addition to his current position, he has worked with the MNRF in other positions such as a Learn to Fish program coordinator, student enforcement assistance, and an interior park warden at The Massasauga Provincial Park. Scott has also worked as a wildlife technician in Newfoundland and Labrador, monitoring and promoting the conservation of species at risk like the Piping Plover. Scott is a graduate of the University of Guelph where he studied Wildlife Biology. He also advanced his education with a graduate certificate in Conservation and Environmental Law Enforcement at Fleming College. Scott spent many weekends of his summer months during undergrad volunteering to assist Canadian Wildlife Service biologists tagging egrets and herons, counting cormorants with Parks Canada, and banding passerines in Thunder Bay with Bird Studies Canada. Scott also enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and hiking with friends and family.
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Treasurer –Twyla Douaire
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Twyla has been employed with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry since 2005, holding numerous positions across the organization. She has two diplomas in Ecosystem Management from Fleming College, and an in-process Bachelor of Environmental Science and Studies at Trent University (16 of 20 credits completed). She is currently the Treasurer for her Union Local, as well as the Treasurer for the annual Federated Health and United Way campaigns at Robinson Place in Peterborough. Twyla has a deep passion for animals and the conservation of our wildlife and their habitats. She is excited to take on the role of Treasurer for the Ontario Chapter of The Wildlife Society.
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Board Member – Emilie Kissler
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Emilie is a wildlife biologist and has always been interested in cross-disciplinary work and her focus is on plant-animal interactions at an ecosystem level. Currently, she is a terrestrial ecosystem science specialist with the Northeast Region of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in South Porcupine Ontario. Emilie completed her HBSc. at the University of Guelph in Biological Sciences with a focus on Wildlife Biology. She gained her MSc. at the University of Sydney in Australia on Wildlife Health and Population Management. She is currently completing her PhD at Memorial University in Newfoundland on the impacts of moose on forest regeneration across the island of Newfoundland. Prior to starting her PhD Emilie worked with Newfoundland’s provincial Wildlife Division as a research biologist on topics ranging from moose health, to rare lichen abundance and diversity. While working in NL she also worked and contributed to the research and game management programs for both small mammals and fur bearers (snowshoe hare and the NL marten) and big game species programs including moose, caribou and black bears.
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Board Member - Kelly Mclean
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Kelly is from Woodville, Ontario, and currently lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Kelly is completing her Master of Science degree at the University of New Brunswick and will be returning to Ontario in May. Kelly's master’s thesis researches the effects of commercial forest harvesting on the distribution and productivity of forest breeding waterfowl. Prior to beginning her masters, Kelly worked as a biologist with the Aquatic Assessment Unit of the Canadian Wildlife Service, completed her BSc(hons) in Biology at Trent University, and a dual diploma in Fish and Wildlife and Ecosystem Management technology at Sir Sandford Fleming College. While at Trent University Kelly was actively involved in the student chapter executive of The Wildlife Society as vice president. Kelly has attended two annual conferences of The Wildlife Society; Winnipeg, MB and Cleveland, OH. She hopes to attend this year’s conference in Reno, NV. Kelly is passionate about conserving Ontario’s wildlife and their habitats. As a board member of the OCTWS she hopes to bring awareness to the benefits of being a TWS member and help connect people involved with wildlife management in Ontario from the student to scientist level.
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Previous OCTWS Executives
April 2019 - March 2020
President - Danielle Ethier
President-Elect - Matt Dyson
Past-President - Peter Hettinga
Secretary - Scott Pynn
Treasurer - Twyla Douaire
Board Member - Emilie Kissler
Board Member - Kelly McLean
June 2017 - March 2019
President - Peter Hettinga
President-Elect - Danielle Ethier
Past-President - Neil Dawson
Secretary/Treasurer - Morgan Hawkins
Board Member - Emilie Kissler
Board Member - Matt Dyson
President - Danielle Ethier
President-Elect - Matt Dyson
Past-President - Peter Hettinga
Secretary - Scott Pynn
Treasurer - Twyla Douaire
Board Member - Emilie Kissler
Board Member - Kelly McLean
June 2017 - March 2019
President - Peter Hettinga
President-Elect - Danielle Ethier
Past-President - Neil Dawson
Secretary/Treasurer - Morgan Hawkins
Board Member - Emilie Kissler
Board Member - Matt Dyson