Kootenay Regional Coordinators

The Kootenay regional coordinators oversee BCMMP surveys in the Kootenay region. If you’re interested in volunteering in this region, contact Sarah Town at stown@wildresearch.ca.

Sarah Town (she/her)

Sarah was fortunate to grow up on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations in what is now known as North Vancouver. There is no doubt that Sarah’s beginnings in these coastal western hemlock forests guided her towards a path of environmental and community stewardship. Today, Sarah resides with her partner in the Kootenays, on the unceded territories of the Ktunaxa, Sinixt, and Sylix First Nations where she works as a Water Technician for the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship. Sarah volunteers as a Coordinator with the BC Marsh Monitoring Program because she feels energized when contributing towards community-led environmental monitoring, management, and conservation. She views the work as a means of community-care, an essential part of human wellbeing. When Sarah is not thinking about water, wetlands, birds, and amphibians, she spends her free time skiing, hiking, cycling, swimming, and reading.

Kai Smith (they/them)

Kai lives on the unceded territories of the Ktunaxa, Sinixt, and Syilx First Nations. They are currently studying Ecological Restoration at the University of Victoria and working as a Water Monitoring Technician with Living Lakes Canada. Deeply inspired by wetlands, birds, amphibians, and beavers, Kai spends much of their time immersed in the natural world.

Their passion for ecological restoration and conservation, combined with a strong commitment to citizen science and community land stewardship, drives their involvement in local environmental initiatives. Kai is always seeking opportunities to engage with hands-on restoration and conservation work, believing that meaningful change begins at the local level.