President: Gillian Harvey
Treasurer: Dani Aberger

Board Directors: Dani Aberger, Ian Bruce, Joan Hendrick, Jenn Potter, Carmel Thomson, Janet Williams

Director Profiles

Dani Aberger

Dani moved to Victoria in 2011 to attend The University of Victoria. She grew up in Revelstoke spending her childhood in the mountains and in nature, and therefore has a strong appreciation for green spaces. She currently works in public practice with a mid-size accounting firm located in Victoria. Out of the office, Dani enjoys hiking with her two beagles, gardening, and practicing yoga.

 

Ian Bruce

Ian Douglas Bruce, B.Sc. (Mar.Bio), R.P.Bio, QEP brings over 35 years of experience in salmon conservation, watershed restoration, and community-based ecological initiatives. 

Professional Background

Ian began his career with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, working in the Salmonid Enhancement Program as a project advisor and salmon specialist. In 1997, he returned to the Saanich Peninsula to work for the B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch. In 2002, he co-founded the Peninsula Streams Society (PSS), a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems in the region.  

Currently, Ian serves as a Senior Biologist at Peninsula Streams Society, where he continues to lead restoration projects and engage with local communities. He also operates Watershed Ecological Services Ltd., a consulting firm providing ecological and fisheries services to industry, government, and First Nations.   

Education

Ian holds a Diploma in Restoration of Natural Systems from the University of Victoria, completed in 2003.  

Areas of Expertise

• Salmonid enhancement and habitat restoration
• Watershed management and ecological consulting
• Community engagement and environmental education
• Collaborative projects with Indigenous communities 

Ian’s lifelong dedication to aquatic ecosystems and his leadership in environmental stewardship have made him a respected figure in British Columbia’s conservation community.

Gillian Harvey

Gillian is the daughter of Susan McDonald (née Holmes) and the granddaughter of  Philip Despard Pemberton Holmes, known to all as Pip  and his wife Catherine Holmes (who bequeathed their 35% ownership of Maltby Lake to the TLC with their wish of conservation). Gillian’s passion lays in nature and environmental advocacy. This interest originated for her through having grown up in a family with a longstanding connection to Victoria and the surrounding areas with a history of enjoying, respecting and protecting the environment in this incredible part of the world. At the very heart of this is the pristine Maltby Lake and surrounding watershed.  

Joan Hendrick

Joan moved to the Prospect Lake neighbourhood 10 years ago, after living in the North Peace area for twenty-five years. This region of Saanich is rich in diversity and natural areas, but nothing compares to the wild, pristine Maltby Lake. When Joan first saw Maltby Lake it took her back to her childhood summers spent at an unspoiled Muskoka Lake. Joan joined the Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society in order to support the vision to protect Maltby Lake, which forms the headwaters of the Tod Creek Watershed.  Joan has volunteered with non-profit organizations and currently works as an arbitrator for government.

Jenn Potter

In 2005, Jenn moved from the great white north into a green oasis – a house nestled between Francis King Park and Maltby Lake.  While completing her Bachelor of Commerce (specializing in the delivery of service excellence) the areas surrounding the Maltby Lake watershed became a favorite place to unwind and get some exercise.  It was love at first run… the area’s stunning beauty and teeming biodiversity had her hooked.

When Jenn discovered that land protected by The Land Conservancy could be put up for sale she wanted to donate her spare time towards the protection of the area.

Jenn hopes that her administrative and project coordination experience from the private sector, continuing education in community dialogue and engagement, and committee work for the Royal Victoria Yacht Club can keep the board organized and capable of achieving its goals.

Carmel Thomson

Carmel Thomson is an advocate on issues relating to water, biodiversity, natural capital and their sustainability. She is a founding member of the Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society lobbying for the protection of Maltby Lake and its surrounding lands. She is passionate about the conservation and restoration of natural habitat and dedicates herself to lobbying for urban green space, habitat connectivity for migratory and resident wildlife, and the creation of wildlife corridors across political boundaries.

Janet Williams

Janet Williams, born and raised in Victoria, enjoyed 35 years as a resident of Saanich, where she hiked, cycled and rode horses throughout many of the municipalities of the Capital Regional District, gaining knowledge and appreciation of our region’s copious natural assets.

In 1988 she moved to the eastern Highlands to build her present home and farm. Her backyard neighbours, Carmel and Woody Thomson of Maltby Lake, have been friends of her’s for decades and share the rural Saanich/Highlands border with her.

Janet has been a lifelong member and volunteer for organizations, societies and groups which advocate for protection of the natural world and its inhabitants. She has been instrumental in facilitating the crafting of parks and trails masterplans, from Gowlland Tod Provincal Park to the conjoining of Thetis, Francis and Mill Hill Regional Parks to provide contiguous corridors of the wild landscapes for conservation and recreation, to the District of Highlands central promontory, Mount Work.

In the early 2000s she joined the Friends of Tod Creek Watershed having been a long term Habitat Acquisition Trust steward of the watershed her property is in. Years later she was invited to become a director of the Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society, which was accepted in 2018.

Janet believes in integrating small scale agriculture into the landscape, where appropriate, to regenerate the health of the land. She practises food forest gardening and is against feed lot production of animals for food.

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Founding Members

Carmel Thomson
Diane Carr
Anne Russo

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Founding Board Directors

Carmel Thomson
Diane Carr
Anne Russo
Gillian Harvey
Kayla Anderson
Lynn Vu

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Past Board Directors

Kayla Anderson
Cathy Armstrong – Ex Officio
Tristan Harvey
Marsha Henderson
Lynn Vu

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Remembering Those No Longer With Us

Anne Russo

We sadly said farewell to founding Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society Board Director Anne Russo on June 29, 2024. Anne demonstrated an unwavering dedication and passion in all her endeavours. Her commitment to volunteerism extended beyond the FMLWS, as she graciously contributed her skills, time and energy to several non-profits. 

Anne was kind and generous; compassionate and caring. She fostered a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, ensuring that everyone felt valued, heard, and instrumental to the Board’s success. Her collegial style emphasized the empowerment and growth of fellow directors and community members, setting an example for exceptional leadership. 

To honour Anne’s significant contribution to the FMLWS, the Society is proud to be a part of Anne’s legacy, donating to a newly established fund in her honour, the Anne Russo Community and Youth Engagement Fund, held with the Victoria Foundation. 

Anne’s absence is deeply felt, but the legacy of her steadfast support, leadership and founding contribution endures. 

Diane Carr

On Saturday, September 17th, 2016 we said farewell to Diane Carr, a founding member and vice-president of the Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society. Diane was the personification of an engaged citizen. Bright and articulate, unflinching and unafraid, she was sincere and outspoken. Her compassion and understanding strengthened community and made the world a better place. To honour her remarkable community service ‘The Diane Carr Community Service Award’ has been established by Focus Magazine – Victoria. Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society is proud to be a part of Diane’s legacy. She is greatly missed but the impact of her leadership and founding contribution continues to inspire and guide our Society. Read about Diane and the Award here: http://focusonline.ca/node/1137.

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Lifetime Honorary Members

• Kayla Anderson
• Audrey Barnes
• Farrell Boyce
• Colin Brown 
• Jane E. Brown
• Patrick Brown
• Santa Brown
• Ian Bruce
• Lisa Calvert
• Diane Carr
• Maggie Cavin
• Tim Felbel
• Jay Finch
• Samuel Godfrey
• Marty Haig-Brown
• Gillian Harvey
• Tristan Harvey
• Marsha Henderson
• Jessie Howardson
• Judith Kirchner
• Sherron McPherson
• Land Popham
• Jenn Potter
• Joan Potter
• John Potter
• Anne Russo
• Wil Shulba
• Adam Taylor
• Carmel Thomson
• Woody Thomson
• Lynn Vu
• Ben Wilkinson