STAFF
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Magali Grégoire
Founder & Executive Director Magali is a science educator and museologist with a passion for ocean life. She completed her B.Sc. in Biology and Physics at McGill University followed by an M.A. in Museum Studies from UQÀM. Magali worked as the Educational Programs and Volunteer Coordinator at the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium giving her direct experience within the community aquarium model. Magali sits on the Communications Committee of the Fishermen and Scientists Research Society and is a Board member of the Canadian Network for Ocean Education, ensuring she has close ties with ocean education and sustainability in Nova Scotia. Magali lives in Eastern Passage with her inspiration, the ocean itself, as her backyard. | magali@backtothesea.ca |
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Sarah Holleran
Touch Tank Hut Coordinator & Executive Assistant Sarah is currently attending Dalhousie University for a B.Sc. in Marine Biology. She grew up in a small town in Ontario, and frequently visited the great lakes where her interest in the water began. She moved to the East Coast for her passion and interest in marine life, and is continuing to learn more about the ocean. She was inspired to work for Back to the Sea for the chance to teach and inspire young minds about the species that live in the ocean and their importance. Sarah is passionate about the environment and is likely to be found taking nature hikes or exploring new places when she can! | volunteers@backtothesea.ca |
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Aki Nisbet
Scientific Interpreter & Aquarist Aki is currently completing her B.Sc. in Marine Biology at Dalhousie University. She grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, but developed a love for marine life on family trips to the ocean as a kid. As part of Dalhousie's Co-op program, she has gained experience running research trials and conducting field work, but is looking forward to pursuing her passion in environmental education. Aki is excited to be working at the Touch Tank Hut this summer, sharing some of the information she has learned about the amazing marine invertebrates that can be found in Nova Scotia! | programs@backtothesea.ca |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Maggie Sutherland
President Maggie grew up on the Northumberland Strait exploring beaches and learning everything she could about marine life. She completed a BSc. and MSc. in Geography from Memorial University of Newfoundland and after spending a couple years traveling and working in Italy and England she returned to St. John’s, NL and became the Program Manager with Women in Science and Engineering (WISE NL). Maggie joined the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium Board of Directors in 2014 and served until she moved to Halifax in 2016. She now works as the Research & Evaluation Coordinator, Our Food Project at the Ecology Action Centre. Maggie was thrilled at the opportunity to be involved in the Back to the Sea Aquarium and is excited to share her passion for marine life with Nova Scotians. |
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Courtenay Parlee Vice-President Courtenay has an interdisciplinary PhD from the University of New Brunswick. Her research is focused on resolving conflict over risk management in the marine environment. She sits on the Scientific Committee and the Board of Directors of the Fishermen and Scientists Research Society and is an alumna of the Canadian Fisheries Research Network. Courtenay knew she wanted to help bring a mini aquarium to Nova Scotia as soon as she heard about this unique idea. She brings her knowledge and experience with oceans management, social policy, conflict resolution and food security to this Board along with her contagious enthusiasm. Kimberly Croft Secretary Kimberley grew up in Labrador and spent many summers vacationing in Newfoundland. Her passion for the ocean began as a little girl exploring the beaches of Bonavista Bay. Kimberley completed a BSc in Marine Biology and Oceanography from Dalhousie University, a BEd in Secondary Science and Math from the University of New Brunswick, and a MEd in Curriculum Studies from Mount Saint Vincent University. She is a high school teacher and has been teaching biology and oceanography for 10 years. Kimberley visited the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium in the summer of 2016 and was excited to learn that there were plans to open a similar concept aquarium in Halifax. She became a part of the Back to the Sea team, volunteering and worked as a marine interpreter at the Touch Tank Hut. Kimberley hopes to foster a sense of curiosity and compassion for our oceans in her students and her two young boys. She feels that we work to protect what we love! |
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Erin Burbidge
Director at large A native Nova Scotian, Erin grew up with the smell of the salt air in her lungs and the ocean in her heart. After finishing up a B.Sc. (Combined Hons.) in Microbiology and Social Anthropology and a Law degree at Dalhousie, Erin spent several years practising law at a Toronto boutique litigation firm. It was an incredible learning experience, but by 2009 she was ready to return back home to Dartmouth. Erin completed her Masters in Resource and Environmental Studies in 2010 and started with the Clean Foundation a few days after finishing, where she still works to this day as the Director of Programs & Regulatory Affairs. Erin has been inspired by the vision of the Back to the Sea Society, and is excited to work with a dynamic and passionate team to educate and enthral others about the wonders of ocean life. Jennifer Currie Director at Large Jenn works with the Faculty of Science at Dalhousie University. Currently living in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, she grew up in this province exploring nature. Jenn is also a SUP tour guide at Sup Monkey Cycle on Lake Banook and volunteers for the Nova Scotia Bird Society, We Day, and Feed Nova Scotia. This year she created Making Waves, a project that supports organizations that work on ocean and freshwater conservation. Passionate about the outdoors, you’re likely to find her surfing, snowboarding, SUPing, biking, camping, hiking or plogging! Jonathan Primack Director at Large Jonathan's connection to the ocean is more personal than professional. Since childhood, his sense of oneness with the natural world has been a driving factor in wanting to know more and do better. Curious at heart, Jonathan brings his problem solving skills and project management experience from his day job. His professional background also includes eCommerce strategy, marketing, and brand development. Jonathan is a parent of two young children and he believes it is his responsibility to teach them to love and care for our environment and ocean, and all of their inhabitants. He sees Back To Sea as his opportunity to do good for his children and his community. “Protect our planet, as though our children's future depends on it.” Darin Roche Director at large Darin Roche resides in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where he has spent most of his life. He is married with four children, all of whom share a love and desire to explore the ocean beaches. Professionally, Darin is the President of The Partnership Company, a business that works predominantly with Non-Profits throughout Nova Scotia, and the rest of Canada to create, implement and execute sponsorship marketing strategies. He shares a passion for connecting businesses together to create unique partnerships. Inspired by Back To The Sea, along with the smiles of his children while out exploring, Darin feels that an opportunity to give back to the community helps teach his children the importance of doing good work. |
SENIOR VOLUNTEERS
Brett Frazee, Treasurer
Stefan Gagliardi, Jack of All Trades
Kaitlin Burek, Chair of the Communications Committee
Meghan Borland, Secretary of the Communications Committee
Desta Frey, Chair of the Safety Committee
Brett Frazee, Treasurer
Stefan Gagliardi, Jack of All Trades
Kaitlin Burek, Chair of the Communications Committee
Meghan Borland, Secretary of the Communications Committee
Desta Frey, Chair of the Safety Committee
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COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Kaitlin Burek, Chair Meghan Borland, Secretary Leah Robertson Natasha Tucker |
SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY & ANIMAL ETHICS COMMITTEE
Desta Frey, Chair Ruby Banwait, Secretary Jessica Lohnes Christina Nunn |
LEAD CONSULTANTS
The Back to the Sea team is honoured to be working with Ocean to Eye Level Consulting to make this vision a reality.
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"Back to the Sea Aquarium will be an exciting addition to the "mini aquarium" family of the five catch-and-release aquariums across Canada. Ocean to Eye Level Consulting is proud to provide tried-and-tested expertise to Magali and her team on how to make this project a reality. We share strong values of hands-on education of local marine life with the goal of inspiring conservation. This makes us natural partners and collaborators in fostering curiosity for people of all ages in Nova Scotia."
-Melanie Knight CEO of Ocean to Eye Level Consulting |
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ADVISORY BOARD
We are privileged to have the following individuals as valuable advisors:
Ruby Banwait, Senior aquarium biologist at the Vancouver Aquarium and 2013 Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium curator
Dr. Chris Harvey-Clark, University Veterinarian at Dalhousie University
Lisanne Jacklin, Lawyer with Heritage House Law Offices
John Lindley, University Diver at Dalhousie University
Paul Fraser, Wet Lab Supervisor at Bedford Institute of Oceanography
Mazarine Treyz, Founder of Wild Woman Fundraising
The staff and Board of the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium
Ruby Banwait, Senior aquarium biologist at the Vancouver Aquarium and 2013 Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium curator
Dr. Chris Harvey-Clark, University Veterinarian at Dalhousie University
Lisanne Jacklin, Lawyer with Heritage House Law Offices
John Lindley, University Diver at Dalhousie University
Paul Fraser, Wet Lab Supervisor at Bedford Institute of Oceanography
Mazarine Treyz, Founder of Wild Woman Fundraising
The staff and Board of the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium