Executive 2025
Nature PEI is directed by a volunteer executive elected from its members at the annual meeting. The 2025 executive is comprised of:
| President | Rosemary Curley |
| Vice President | Julie-Lynn Zahavich |
| Past President | Jason Woodside |
| Secretary | Robert Harding |
| Treasurer | Keisha Holmes |
| Editor of Island Naturalist | Clay Cutting |
| Director-Programs & Publicity | Gerald MacDougall |
| Director-Field Trips | Sarah Hirtle |
PRESIDENT:
Rosemary Curley (MSc), has served on the Nature PEI Executive in several roles over the years and is currently President. She is a retired biologist, the co-author of a recent book on PEI mammals, and a frequent user of iNaturalist.
Vice-President: Julie-Lynn Zahavich (MSc) has served as Nature PEI’s Programs and Publicity Director and is now vice-president. She is a biologist, painter, rug hooker, hiker, and iNaturalist enthusiast. One of her favourite birds is the piping plover, which she admires for their quirky behaviours and ability to persist in harsh environments.
PAST-PRESIDENT:
Jason Woodside serves as Past-President. He is a professional oyster shucker and holds two Canadian Championship Titles. He has worked closely with Canadian oyster processors and shippers for decades, makes his own brand of oyster shuckers (Banjo Oyster Knives), and holds a certificate in Renewable Energy – specializing in off-grid solar. He observes the interaction between the sea and the shore, tides and weather and the interconnectedness of marine habitats. While researching oyster flavour and relationship to watersheds, Jason realized that responsible land use and conservation are critical to the future of PEI’s oyster industry.
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND PUBLICITY:
Gerald MacDougall has been working in the field of wildlife conservation for over 45 years. He is the retired Head of the Provincial Fish and Wildlife Division. Before that he was the Provincial Head of Investigations and Enforcement for the Department of Environment, PEI Climate Change Coordinator. Gerald has served as co-chair of the Wildlife Directors Committee for Canada, is a past Vice- President of Nature PEI and has served on the Board of Directors for the Island Nature Trust, the Abegweit Conservation Society and past President of International Hunter Education Association for Canada. Gerald has his Masters in Environment and Management, and enjoys the outdoors, whether that’s bird watching, sailing, hiking or biking. He has a special fondness for eagles having monitored their population on PEI since 1980 and continues into retirement banding eaglets and tracking their population.
SECRETARY :
Robert Harding is a long-time member of Nature PEI, and has served on the Executive for the last few years as Secretary. Bob is a strong supporter of community science, and has been helping document the Island’s flora and fauna using tools like iNaturalist. He currently works as Public Outreach Education Officer for Parks Canada on PEI.
TREASURER:
Keisha Holmes is an upcoming wildlife conservation student with a passion for birds. She has volunteered with many different conservation organizations including Ducks Unlimited Canada and Long Point Bird Observatory. She loves birds so much she even has 23 pet birds.
NEWSLETTER EDITOR:
Clay Cutting is the Island Naturalist Newsletter Editor and Executive member. Professionally, Clay works as an invasive species technician for the PEI Invasive Species Council. Clay has a passion for plants, insects, fungi, and plant health. Although Clay is a fairly recent addition to the Nature PEI Executive Committee, he hopes to make a lasting impact.
FIELD TRIPS DIRECTOR:
Sarah Hirtle (MSc) is Nature PEI’s Field Trips Director. She is a biologist and an avid naturalist who enjoys birdwatching, bog plants, and being near streams. On rainy days she can be found indoors embroidering, watching baseball, or experimenting with a new recipe. Sarah attributes her love of the outdoors to her childhood experiences outside through Girl Guides of Canada, an organization she remains active in today as a Pathfinder leader.
SUPPORT STAFF -- SPECIES-AT-RISK PROJECT COORDINATOR:
Chris (Konczal) Ortenburger studied biology and veterinary medicine in Virginia before moving to PEI for a job at the Atlantic Veterinary College, and later focused on homesteading and homeschooling (with a decided emphasis on nature study). She volunteers with local organizations, compiles a daily newsletter on environment and civic engagement and serves on the board of East Coast Environmental Law Association. She has four grown kids and lives in Bonshaw. When not in front of a screen or gardening, Chris is likely wandering in the woods.