Executive 2026
Nature PEI is directed by a volunteer executive elected from its members at the annual meeting. The contact email is <naturepei@mail.com> and will be redirected to them.
The 2026 executive is comprised of:
| President | Emma Ladouceur |
| Vice President | Jenna Smith |
| Past President | Rosemary Curley |
| Secretary | Robert Harding |
| Treasurer | Cami Croteau |
| Editor of Island Naturalist newsletter | Clay Cutting |
| Director-Programs & Publicity | Gerald MacDougall |
| Director-Field Trips | Julie-Lynn Zahavich |
PRESIDENT: Emma Ladouceur
Emma Ladouceur (MSc, PhD) is new to PEI, Nature PEI, the Nature PEI Executive. She is an ecologist and teaches and conducts research on biodiversity and ecosystems at UPEI. She looks forward to learning about her new habitat from folks at Nature PEI, and to getting more involved in the community.
VICE-PRESIDENT: Jenna Smith
Jenna Smith has worked in the environmental field for over seven years and holds a diploma and bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Conservation. She enjoys studying wildlife, plants, and freshwater ecosystems. In her free time she can often be found kayaking and hiking. She also loves posting interesting plants and animals on iNaturalist!
PAST-PRESIDENT: Rosemary Curley
Rosemary Curley (MSc), has served on the Nature PEI Executive in several roles over the years and is currently Past-President. She is a retired biologist, the co-author of a recent book on PEI mammals, and a frequent user of iNaturalist.
SECRETARY : Robert Harding
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: Camille Croteau
Cami Croteau, PhD owns a marketing agency and is an editor by trade. Through running her business, she has developed a strong skill set in system design and operations. Outside of work, Cami has too many hobbies, including film photography, sailing, surfing, and hiking with her dogs.
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Clay Cutting
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: Julie-Lynn Zahavich
Field Trips: Julie-Lynn Zahavich (MSc) has served several roles on the Nature PEI Executive and is now Field Trips Director. 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.
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND PUBLICITY: Gerald MacDougall
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.
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.