North Coast Ecology Centre Society:
Meet the Board
Karina
Dracott
Founding Member
Board Member
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.
Jason
Scherr
Founding Member
Board Member
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
Pyde
Board Member
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.
Brandie Loranger
Coordinator
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.
Grace Stewart
Board Member
Grace is from Prince Rupert and is a member of the Nisga’a Nation and part of the Gisk’asst (Killerwhale) clan. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Biology and Biochemistry in 2022 and now works with the North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society on First Nations fisheries-related projects. Throughout her life, she has come to recognize just how special the North Coast region is and how important it is to protect its natural biodiversity and ecosystems. She is looking forward to working with the North Coast Ecology Centre Society to encourage appreciation and stewardship of our beautiful region for future generations.
Danika Petersen
Board Member
Danika has been interested in the protection of animals and their environment for her whole life, and she wants to ensure that generations to come will know how to respect our planet as well. She has a Bachelor's degree in Arts and Sciences and specializes in Sociology. When Danika isn't working, she is hiking with her dogs, rock climbing, or taking the skoolie tiny-home out on a forest service road to explore and camp.
Sandra Penner
Chair and Treasurer
Sandra grew up down the road in Terrace exploring the bush and the creatures of the north coast that live here. After a few years away obtaining her Professional Engineer designation, she returned to the area, moving to Prince Rupert in 2016. Sandra still enjoys spending time exploring the world around her with her Newfie dog, Jake, and seeing children light up when learning about sun dews and sea stars and bears. She hopes her work with the North Coast Ecology Centre Society will help to bring more opportunities for people to interact with the living things and systems unique to the north coast.
Elizabeth Herbert
Secretary
Elizabeth completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2013, and received a Master’s of Zoology in 2019 from the University of British Columbia. Her thesis research investigated the potential relationship between marine protists and the Sea Star Wasting Disease in Ochre Sea Stars on the Northwest Coast. She has a background primarily focused in the marine intertidal zone, and is employed at Ecofish Research as a Project Manager.
Farley Stewart
Board Member
Born and raised in Port Edward / Prince Rupert, his parents are the late James and Simone Stewart of Kincolith, Nisga’a Nation. He has two daughters, Grace recently graduated with a degree in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry and Molecular Science, and she just completed a Marine Internship in Greece. Hannah is close to obtaining a degree from Emily Carr University and is a certified kayak guide, employed last summer giving tours around Salt Spring Islands. Farley is completing his certification at SFU in Community Economic Development and enjoys practicing his guitar and learning about his culture. He is constantly looking for advice on how to have a better relationship with his two cats Sisko and Scout.
Sally Gray-Best
Board Member
Sally grew up on the northeast coast of England, near the Scottish border, and from a young age had a passion for the ocean. She earned a BSc in Marine Biology from Newcastle University in 2016 before moving to Canada's west coast, looking to explore its shores and climb its mountains. Sally fell in love with the moody Pacific Northwest, with it's bright red salmon and it's many shades of green. In 2022, she completed a PG Diploma in Applied Coastal Ecology from Coast Mountain College in Prince Rupert. She worked for Ocean Wise, conducting cetacean research and getting involved with community outreach. Sally is now working as a biologist at McElhanney, handling terrestrial, aquatic and marine projects across BC. Sally is excited to contribute her time and expertise to NCECS, and engage with the north coast community and beyond.
Kennedy Holland
Board Member
Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Kennedy has always found comfort in having the ocean as her backyard. She earned her B.Sc. in Biology in 2017 from a small liberal arts college in Southern California. Her experience as a fisheries observer on BC commercial trawl vessels, combined with six years at Triton Environmental Consultants focusing on Prince Rupert marine projects, has provided her with extensive knowledge of coastal ecosystems—from ocean depths to intertidal zones. Passionate about sharing marine science and conservation with others, Kennedy looks forward to fostering education and community engagement as a member of the NCECS board.
Joe Walker
Board Member
Joe finished his Bachelor's degree in marine biology from the University of Victoria becoming a Scientific Diver at Bamfield Marine Sciences Center on Vancouver Island in 2010. Joe first came to Prince Rupert later that year as an At-Sea Fisheries Observer and spent several years accompanying trawl vessels across the North Coast for the commercial fishery and on DFO stock assessment surveys. Since then, he has spent many days diving throughout Prince Rupert and the North Coast in his career as a marine biologist with Ausenco. Joe's work involves marine ecosystem and habitat assessment and the design and implementation of restoration and compensation projects, including eelgrass transplants, salt marshes, and kelp seeding. Joe is excited to help share the amazing natural world around Prince Rupert with everyone!
Claire Coffin
Lead Environmental Educator
Claire was born and raised in Prince Rupert, B.C. Growing up on the North Coast, she spent most of her childhood outdoors, exploring the coastal forests and adventuring the ocean. Her connection to the environment deepened through hands-on learning and participation in the NCEC kids camps, her love for the ocean and marine life truly flourished.
Claire is currently working towards her Bachelors of Education at Thompson Rivers University so she can share that same passion for learning with future students. When she is not studying or hanging out with sea stars, she enjoys CrossFit, hiking with her dog and napping. Claire looks forward to seeing the NCEC grow and educate people about our beautiful coast.