FORMER MEMBERS
Anna Irwin-Borg
Anna recently completed her Bachelor of Science, majoring in both Environment, Sustainability and Society, and Environmental Science. She completed an honours thesis with Peter Duinker on the potential proliferation of the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Nova Scotia with a changing climate, and helped out with the Halifax Tree Project throughout the summer of 2019.
Natalie Secen
After finishing a Master of Resource and Environmental Management at Dalhousie, Natalie completed certificates in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry at Fleming College in Ontario. She has spent time as an urban forest research associate, a program coordinator in the urban forestry non-profit sector, and an arborist for a private tree care company in Halifax. At present, she is the manager of contracts for HRM’s Urban Forestry group.
Hannah machat
Hannah (She/Her) is recently earned a Master of Resource and Environmental Management (MREM) at Dalhousie University after graduating from Acadia University with a background in Environmental Science. As part of the MREM program, she completed her internship as an urban forest research assistant with a particular interest in the management of large urban forests and the implications of hemlock woolly adelgid. She now works for McCallum Environmental.
Julietta Sorensen Kass
Julietta found her niche studying under Peter Duinker at Dalhousie. Having studied Environmental Science at the University of Lethbridge with an eye towards naturalization in the urban environment, urban forests were right up her alley. She explored this passion during her Master of Resource and Environmental Management, where she developed and implemented the Halifax Text-A-Tree Project. Can text messaging be used to promote relationships with nature? Her research suggests it can! Furthering her passion of connecting communities and nature, she became a Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Julietta launched the “Our Nature” consulting service first in British Columbia and now in Alberta, where she’ll apply her experience to create engagement programs and projects for communities, governments, and businesses. Contact at JL883690@dal.ca
Cuun Niesink
Cuun holds a Master of Resource and Environmental Management at Dalhousie University, with a background in Biology. As part of her internship and under the supervision of Peter Duinker, Cuun worked as an urban forest research assistant. As part of this research, Cuun reviewed best-management practices for the conservation of urban-dwelling, tree-nesting, migratory songbirds to develop a protocol for arboricultural practices during the songbird breeding season.