North Coast Ecology Centre Society: Meet the Board  

Karina is passionate about contributing to science-based decision-making in conservation biology. She sees great value in fostering diverse, engaged, and informed communities, and aims to work with people to help conserve and sustain coastal resources. Karina moved to Prince Rupert in 2017 after studying and conducting research in Iceland, Uruguay, Norway, and South Africa. Despite her tendency to move countries, she has grown very fond of calling Northern B.C. home. Karina holds a Masters in Coastal and Marine Management and a BA in geography from the University of Victoria. She has worked on a variety of marine conservation issues ranging from plastics to sustainable fisheries to marine mammal conservation and has experience leading community engagement initiatives. Karina also volunteers for the Prince Rupert Royal Marine Search and Rescue Society and the Prince Rupert Back Country Society. She is a founding member and current Vice-Chair of the North Coast Ecology Centre.

Darla is an outdoor enthusiast who loves to adventure and explore everything this world has to offer.  She was born and raised on Vancouver Island where she fell in love with the west coast. She has a Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection from Vancouver Island University and spent many of her early years working as a Park Ranger in both Manitoba and Northern BC. She moved to Prince Rupert in 2007 for employment with the Ministry of Forests and one of her primary roles was to assess impacts on Cultural Heritage Resources throughout the North Coast. Two years later she reached her final destination with Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Prince Rupert where she spends countless hours on the ocean patrolling and protecting the uniqueness of the North Coast. She is mother of two young children who inspire her to make this world a better place and is very excited to bring the North Coast Ecology Centre to life.  

Jason grew up on the west coast and has raised his family with his wife in Prince Rupert. He is an active member of the community working on the board of the NCECS and as a Club Executive with the Prince Rupert Rugby Club. Jason has a background in Fisheries Management and is the Manager of Environmental Sustainability for the Prince Rupert Port Authority. He started the world's first electronic monitoring system for a fishery, the Hecate Straight (Area A) crab. Jason provides a diverse perspective from his fisheries experience, role at PRPA, and passion for the environment. As a founding member, he looks forward to seeing the NCECS continue to grow in Prince Rupert.

Alaina’s passion for the marine environment and coast began as a kid, she has fond memories of visiting family in Prince Rupert during the summers, which led her to pursue a career in marine biology. In 2020 Alaina received her B.Sc in Marine Biology from the University of New Brunswick where she completed research specifically within the lobster fishery. Alaina loves being out on the water soaking up all of the diversity and uniqueness that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. When not near the ocean Alaina can be found at the rugby pitch in the summers and on the ice in the winter coaching minor hockey goalies. Alaina is excited to join the North Coast Ecology Centre Society’s team and help with its continued growth in the place she calls home.

Luke Sweet is an Environmental Specialist and Project Manager with Hatfield Consultants. He was born in Kamloops but grew up in the Calgary area where he received an Environmental Science degree at Mount Royal University before relocating back to BC in 2018 to explore opportunities in the northwest and enjoy all of the benefits the region offers. Luke has since been involved with environmental studies and management associated with industrial and port operations primarily in the Skeena region while pursuing a Master's in Environmental Practice at Royal Roads University. Luke joined NCECS to support their mission to promote education and environmental initiatives in the northwest and ultimately enhance the ecological richness of the region we live in and love.

Brandie grew up in the rural area surrounding Thunder Bay, Ontario. She obtained an undergraduate degree from Lakehead University in Environmental Management in 2018 and began her career in the bush in Ontario where she gained her true love and respect for our beautiful wild world. The pandemic brought her and her partner to Prince Rupert, BC in the summer of 2020 where she now works for the DFO as an Operations Manager at the Oldfield Creek Fish Hatchery from October to June. She is the Lead Community Scientist working on quantifying Microplastic Pollution around Prince Rupert with the NCECS; she is also the Coordinator of the North Coast Ecology Centre in Prince Rupert from May to October. She enjoys camping, hiking, and going for long walks along Kaien Island’s beautiful coastline.