Home on the Banks of the Skeena

In the front window of our Prince Rupert office hangs a giant map of Ecotrust Canada’s work in BC. Every day, passers-by stop to examine the map and our work, inevitably pointing out “home” along the province’s jagged coast.

Prince Rupert is home for us too. Commercial fisheries monitoring, resource management, traditional land use mapping, fisheries diversification planning – our 20-year history on the north coast has seen some really impressive projects come to fruition.

Part of that is because our Skeena office is truly a (gum)boots-on-the-ground kind of place. With our staff darting between the office and the field, every day sees a revolving door of fishermen, monitoring technicians, fisheries observers, DFO staff, and community members stopping by to share insights, data, and a few tall tales.

Last year we were recognized by Jennifer Rice, MLA of the Skeena-Queen Charlotte District, for our works in the Skeena.

But truly – the honour is all ours.

Click to watch Jennifer Rice’s speech to the BC Legislative Assembly

Devlin Fernandes, our Senior Manager of Programs, coordinates the Skeena office. Originally coming from a background in forestry, Devlin has gotten a seven-year crash course in fisheries management, planning, and politics through our work in the Skeena.

Chelsey Ellis is a woman of many talents. In addition to serving as Project Coordinator for our Fisheries and Marine Monitoring programs, she moonlights as a professional photographer.

Amanda Barney is no stranger to the relationship between coastal communities and the ocean. Originally from Newfoundland, Amanda now counts herself a Rupertite as she heads up our Marine Monitoring program on both coasts of North America.

Gerry Riley is the newest addition to our Skeena team. Having grown up in Prince Rupert, Gerry now keeps the Area A crab fleet running smoothly as our Electronic Monitoring Technician and Data Analyst.

Having two offices – Vancouver and Prince Rupert – might seem odd for a small organization like Ecotrust Canada, but it really speaks to one of our core values: community engagement.

We believe that the wisdom of communities comes from people rooted in place who understand their roles as stewards of the land and water. Where politicians, consultants, and media may appear and disappear as hot-button issues develop and fade, communities take a long term view. They live the long-term relationships and feel the impacts that the rest of us only briefly glimpse.

As we work for a more sustainable world, we look to communities to inform debates and develop solutions. Our presence in Prince Rupert shows our commitment – where a better world is concerned, we’re in it for the long haul.

With thanks,