ABOUT US
PEOPLE HELPING RIVERS SINCE 1995
Established in 1995, Ontario Streams is an environmental charity dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of streams and wetlands, through education and community involvement. Since our inception, we have worked closely with numerous communities, landowners, and school groups to develop lasting partnerships in education and environmental stewardship.
With over 28 years of experience, Ontario Streams has continued to demonstrate leadership in aquatic ecosystem rehabilitation, using the principles of Natural Channel Design. We have been sought after for information on an international level, however our most significant work has taken place in Southern Ontario. To date, many of Ontario Streams' projects have occurred in and around the Greater Toronto Area, where the need for rehabilitation has been greatest. We regularly coordinate several projects with activities such as tree planting, garbage clean-up, habitat creation, bioengineering, biological monitoring, mitigating fish barriers, and restoring and creating wetlands.
MEET OUR TEAM
DOUG FORDER
MSc
Doug began working as a Project Biologist for Ontario Streams in 1996. In 1999, Doug resigned his position as an employee of Ontario Streams to work as a wetland biologist for the Canadian Wildlife Service. During this time, Doug volunteered as a board member and was elected as the President of the organization. In the spring of 2001, Doug returned as an employee and now serves as General Manager and Restoration Ecologist for Ontario Streams. In this position, Doug oversees Ontario Streams' day to day operation and guides employees in the planning and implementation of all of Ontario Streams' field projects. He also acts as the Project Biologist of his own projects and is a member of the Redside Dace Recovery Implementation Team. Doug received his M.Sc. from Southeastern Louisiana University, specializing in wetland ecology and restoration.
KRYSTAL ATHANASSIOU
BA, PG(ER)
Krystal received her Bachelor of Environmental Studies in 2013 from Brock University, then continued to focus her education on ecological rehabilitation by receiving a diploma in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College in 2014. After graduation, Krystal built on her knowledge and continued to gain field experience as a Vegetation Technician with a private consulting firm in Alberta from 2014 to 2015. In the summer of 2015, Krystal was hired by Ontario Streams as a Habitat Technician, where she excelled in her role and was promoted to Program Assistant in the fall of that year, and then to Project Biologist in 2016, and finally Field Supervisor in 2018.
MARK HEATON
BSc
Senior Biologist, Partnership Specialist
Mark Heaton was one of the founding members of Ontario Streams in 1995. He was instrumental in steering Ontario Streams towards specializing in rehabilitation of aquatic habitat and securing support from provincial and federal governments. After stepping down from his Board position in September 1997, Mark continued to support Ontario Streams’ work as our partnership advisor with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Here he provided advice and liaised between Ontario Streams and the ministry. He retired from MNRF after 34 years of service. He now works with Ontario Streams where he focuses on his passions of protecting the endangered Redside Dace and restoring Atlantic salmon to several Lake Ontario watersheds. Mark received his Bachelor of Science from University of Western Ontario in 1983, specializing in biology. Mark received the Latornell Leadership Award in 2017.
KAT LUCAS
BSc, MES
Outreach & Communications Coordinator
Kat (she/her) graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science, Zoology and a Master of Environmental Science with a focus on aquatic toxicology and fish reproduction. She also completed a Certificate of Community Development, Engagement, and Leadership from Toronto Metropolitan University. Kat develops and delivers environmental education programming and excited to bring her passion for conservation education and connecting others with the environment to Ontario Streams.
MADELINE MICHAUD
BSc, PG(EM)
Project Biologist
Madeline received her Bachelor of Science in Biodiversity from the University of Guelph in 2017. After working in research and development at a cricket rearing farm for human consumption, Madeline went back to school to gain environmental field skills. She completed an Advanced Standing diploma in Ecosystem Management Technology from Fleming College. In 2021, Madeline joined Ontario Streams as a Habitat Technician, and after showcasing her positive attitude and strong work ethic she was hired on as a Project Biologist in the fall in 2021.
ANDREW ORLANDO
BSc
Project Technician
Andrew received his Bachelors of Science, Zoology from the University of Guelph in 2020 focusing most of his attention on the behaviour and physiology of freshwater fishes. After graduating he frequently volunteered with different community hatcheries working to stock several species of Salmonids in local watersheds. These experiences eventually led to him joining Ontario Streams as a Habitat Technician first in 2022, then again in 2023 before becoming a Senior Habitat Technician in the fall of that year. After becoming a Project Technician at the beginning of 2024 Andrew continues to strive towards protecting, rehabilitating and improving Ontario’s freshwater ecosystems following his passion for freshwater fisheries and environments.
ELI CHIN
BA
Project Technician
Eli (she/her) graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Arts from the Environmental and Urban Sustainability program minoring in GIS and Politics. During her time as a student, Eli volunteered to lead a team that hosted environmentally focused events, conferences, and created resources. In this role she worked with Indigenous communities on projects to foster placemaking and uplifting Indigenous voices. Additionally, Eli worked for a non-profit focused on bringing communities together through activism. Shortly after she gained field experience by installing and maintaining rainwater and native species gardens in Toronto. After graduation Eli started as a Habitat Technician in the spring of 2023 and was promoted in the fall to Project Technician.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Since its establishment, Ontario Streams' Board of Directors has consisted entirely of volunteers. The Board is made up of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and 6-8 board members. These members vote annually to elect Board executives.
The Board is made up of interested members of the public, previous volunteers, and former Ontario Streams' staff. Due to the committed nature of Ontario Streams' Board of Directors, multiple members have been involved since the inception of Ontario Streams in 1995. The Board represents a diverse geographic area and consists of members with professional experience in education, strong knowledge in aquatic ecology/biology, and over 60 combined years of environmental stewardship.
The Board meets quarterly, and the Annual General Meeting is held every year in November. The Annual General Meeting is open to all members of the public, which gives Board members an opportunity to listen and respond to questions and comments from individuals from the communities Ontario Streams operates in.
The Board of Directors follows a set of protocols, and members agree on a series of rules to ensure Ontario Streams' public accountability, transparency, and to diminish the probability of personal conflicts upsetting the operation of the organization. Specifically, the series of protocols identifies rules on meeting conduct, finance, and general responsibilities including time commitment, committee involvement and conflicts of interest.
PETE DAVIS
President
Mr. Davis has a B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Guelph. He was a Project Coordinator with Ontario Streams from 2009 to 2011, and again from 2013 to 2016. His other prior work experience has been with Bird Studies Canada, the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program, and he currently works in the wildlife telemetry field. Pete credits his interest of Southern Ontario waterways to his time with Ontario Streams. Due to that positive experience, he continues his involvement with Ontario Streams in hopes of assisting them with their mandate. Mr. Davis joined the Ontario Streams Board in 2020.
TINO ROMANO
Mr. Romano obtained his Honours B.Sc. (Entomology and Chemistry) from the University of Guelph, as well as his B.Ed. from the University of Toronto. Since 1999, he has been a science teacher at Chaminade College School, during which time he has also been active in the Black Creek Adopt-A-Streams group. Prior to this, Tino Romano was a science teacher for two years with the Dufferin-Peel District School Board and a resident intern for 4 years with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority Boyd Field Centre. Mr. Romano has been with the Ontario Streams Board of Directors since 2002.
SALLY INNANEN
Ms. Innanen holds a B.Sc. in biology and geography from York University, a Master's in Environmental Studies (environmental mercury) from York University and a Master's in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Amsterdam. She worked as an environmental consultant at Royal Haskoning DHV in The Netherlands, primarily dealing with environmental policy and capacity building at ministries of environment for European Union candidate countries as well as in Asia. She has also worked at Golder Associates in the GTA as a proposal coordinator. A lifelong love of streams and rivers in the Toronto area brought her to Ontario Streams, where she has been a Board member since 2019.
HORST TRUTTENBACH
Legacy Director
Mr. Truttenbach has been with Ontario Streams since its inception in 1995. In addition to being a board member, he has been actively involved in the hands-on stream rehabilitation work that has taken place on both Boyce's and Centreville Creeks within Caledon East, leading a group of community volunteers since 1998. He is also a member of the Humber River Alliance and was the chair of the Caledon East Wetland Community Action Site.
MICHAEL F. GIZA
Mr. Giza has been an Ontario Streams Board Member since 2004. He graduated with a B.A. (Philosophy) from the University of Toronto and continued with a career involving Human Resources and Labour Relations, Business Administration, Sales and Marketing; retiring in 2008. In addition to his involvement with Ontario Streams, Mr. Giza is Past-President and Director of the Miskwabi Area Community Association, a member of Ontario Nature, Wilderness Canoe Association and Bird Studies Canada. He has participated in the BSC Canadian Loon Lakes Survey since 1994 and the OFAH Invasive Species Watch Program since 2003.
ELIGIO DE MARCO
Mr. De Marco obtained his Honours B.E.S (Environmental Studies) from York University where he specialized in Environmental Management. His involvement with Ontario Streams began during his high school years as a member of the Chaminade College dopt-a-Stream group on Black Creek. He joined the Streams Board of Directors in 2006. Mr. De Marco has also been an active member with the Metro East Anglers since 2001 and has been volunteering at the Ringwood Fish Culture Station since 2006.
GRANT BAVERSTOCK
Mr. Baverstock's involvement with Ontario Streams began during his high school career where he was a founding member of the Chaminade College Adopt-A-Stream group. He graduated from the Humber College Landscape Technician Program with honors in 2005 and then went on to establish a landscape design and construction company and a native plant nursery. In 2007, Mr. Baverstock was hired full time at Parc Downsview Park. In 2012, Grant took a horticultural role at City of Brampton and oversaw and reformed the municipality's horticultural irrigation practices to reduce water waste. Currently Grant works for the City of Mississauga in Parks, Forestry and Environment division. Mr. Baverstock has been on the Ontario Steams Board since 2007 in different capacities.
BOB GIZA
Mr. Giza obtained his Honours B.Sc. from the University of Toronto's Environmental Science Program in 1969, as well as his B.Ed. in 1972. From 1978 to 1990 he ran a full credit environmental science course each summer out of Algonquin Park. Mr. Giza was also the founder of the Chaminade College environmental club and Adopt-A-Stream group on Black Creek, where he taught. He has lead this group over the years as they have won the Mel Lastman's North York Award (1998) and the City of Toronto Green Award (2007). Bob now concentrates his environmental efforts in the Fergus - Guelph area.
ASIF PRADHAN
Mr. Pradhan has a background in Environmental Engineering and Education. As a certified coach with widespread industry knowledge built on diverse international work experiences in the public and private sectors, he has a passion for the environment and sustainable international development. Serving as a consultant focused on innovation and technology, Asif has the pleasure of speaking at various global conferences. When volunteering with a Non-Government Organization (NGO) in India, he led an Exploratory Study on the Application of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Participatory Natural Resource Management. He has been actively engaged with Ontario Streams since 2016 and regularly volunteers by leading tree planting events supporting the natural ecosystem.
DAVE GAMBIN
Mr. Gambin holds a BASc in Chemical Engineering (Minor in Sustainability Energy) from the University of Toronto as well as an MBA from the University of Glasgow. David leverages his well-rounded experience from various environmentally focused areas including; field work at Ontario Streams, operations and development work in the solar industry, and project management work in the wildlife telemetry industry. David joined the Ontario Streams Board in 2014 and enjoys passing his time in the bow or stern of a canoe in the remote Canadian wilderness.
HEATHER WILTON
Director
Ms. Wilton holds a B.Es. in Environment and Resource Studies as well as a Diploma in Ecological Restoration and Rehabilitation from the University of Waterloo. She was a project coordinator with Ontario Streams from 2016 to 2019, and her other work experience has been with Conservation Authorities and non-profits focused on fisheries habitat assessment and fish sampling. She currently works as a Fisheries Biologist with an environmental consulting firm where she continues to make a positive impact on fish populations and their habitat. She was elected onto the Board in 2022.
RON GRAY
Director
Mr. Gray holds a H.B.A.Sc. in Environmental Sustainability with a Specialization in Ecosystem Management from Lakehead University, and a Diploma in Environmental Technology from Georgian College. He currently works as an Environmental Consultant for Hazardous Materials and Environmental Due Diligence in Barrie, Ontario. Ron was previously employed by the City of Barrie working on special projects including erosion control, landscape restoration, and invasive species management. Throughout high school Ron was involved in the Outdoors Club performing stream rehabilitation through dam removal, riparian clean ups, and tree planting. He became involved in Ontario Streams in 2019 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2020.