Our Staff

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

✍ ed@yukonconservation.ca

Martin Melendro is a multidisciplinary engineer with over 15 years of experience on environmental projects in North, Central, and South America. He has recently moved to the Yukon and is excited to continue learning and advocating for healthy ecosystems and sustainable communities in the territory.

In his free time, Martin loves to forage, hike, swim, and chase rivers, waterfalls and hot springs and is excited to continue exploring and learning in the traditional territories of the First Nations that have lived in the Yukon since time immemorial.

OUTREACH & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

✍ outreach@yukonconservation.ca

BSc (Biology), BFA (Cross-Disciplinary Life Studies), PGC (Environmental Visual Communications)

Sarah-Juliet is a multimedia artist, scientist and storyteller. SJ was raised on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (Caledon, Ontario).

She is interested in contributing to environmental conservation, restoration and sustainability initiatives through collaboration, intersectional project work, public education, and creative communications. SJ is into hiking, fungi and mycorestoration, decomposition and anatomy, ecosystem dynamics and ecological interactions, experimental film and documenting temporal change, as well as life drawing and making art out of found materials.

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

✍ office@yukonconservation.ca

Joan comes from a farming background and is part owner of Grizzly Valley Farms. She brings to YCS experience in retail sales and non-profit societies, as well as having a background in bookkeeping and financial management.

In the past she has been part of the Fireweed Community Market as a vendor selling crafts, preserves and farm produce as well as a board member from 2005-2013. For years growing and selling food has made her aware of how delicate our food systems are and she does what she can to live sustainably. She has written for What’s Up Yukon about her farming experiences.

Joan is passionate about local food and loves to garden, with a soft spot for honeybees.

MINING ANALYST

✍ mining@yukonconservation.ca

BSc (Civil Engineering)

Lewis’ engineering background equips him well to produce recommendations for reducing environmental impacts of mining projects, and oppose mining projects with impacts that cannot be mitigated.

Prior to becoming YCS’s Mining Analyst he was the Energy Analyst from 2000 to 2008. Lewis addresses environmental impacts associated with urban sprawl and general industrial development in the Yukon. Prior to his involvement with YCS, Lewis worked with the Raven Recycling Society dealing with public education campaigns around waste management. He has also worked with the Northern Climate ExChange at Yukon College developing community climate change adaptation plans.

Lewis can be found most mornings holding court in the trendier downtown Whitehorse coffee shops.

FISH, WILDLIFE & HABITAT ANALYST

✍ wildlife@yukonconservation.ca

Sebastian has been a member of the Dawson Renewable Resources Council and is now vice-Chair of the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board. He has also worked for the Northern Climate ExChange and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. Sebastian was a Director of the Conservation Klondike Society from 2005 to 2009, and was on the board of YCS until becoming the Peel Watershed Coordinator in 2011. He then became one of YCS’s Energy Analysts, commenting on government policy related to energy, oil and gas, and climate change.

He is now the YCS lead on fish, wildlife and habitat issues, including land use planning, wetlands protection and land use policies. Sebastian also keeps our membership informed through writing and media and he works on mining issues that impact fish and wildlife.

ENERGY ANALYST

✍ energy@yukonconservation.ca

BSc (Mechanical Engineering),
MSc (Sustainable Energy and the Environment)

Scott brings a multi-disciplinary engineering background to the Yukon Conservation Society. Scott holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s of Science in Sustainable Energy and the Environment, where he was exposed to a variety of energy technologies. His research focused on developing tools to predict maintenance requirements for tidal stream turbines to increase their reliability. Scott has worked on the construction of run of river hydro-electric projects and enjoys working with data as a tool to develop informed decisions.

His enthusiasm for the outdoors has motivated his interest in renewable energy technologies and energy management. Hobbies include spending time skiing, biking and hiking.

MINING COORDINATOR

✍ mining@yukonconservation.ca

Kayla has a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Energy Development and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Calgary. She has experience working on environmental files with Indigenous and Métis Nations in the Fort McMurray region of Treaty 8. She believes that energy, mining, and economic development can be done in a way that meet the needs of the current generation without jeopardizing well-being of future generations.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backcountry camping, running, and fencing. She is excited about the opportunity to explore the Yukon’s wilderness.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR

✍️ programs@yukonconservation.ca

West Coast Adventure College (Tourism Level II)

Aiyana has been a lover of the outdoors and animals since she was a youngster. She grew up in north central Saskatchewan and later let her passion guide her to the coast on Vancouver Island where she guided and captained wildlife touring vessels among other outdoor activities. Now in the Yukon after following a passion for dogsledding she hopes to inspire others to connect to nature in their own way and encourage responsible adventuring.

Aiyana enjoys spending time with her animals, exploring by foot, canoe tripping and creating pine needle baskets. She is excited to be a part of the wonderful team at Yukon Conservation Society and engage with others who share a passion for protecting pristine environments.

HELMUT GRUNBERG SUSTAINABILITY INTERN

✍️ intern@yukonconservation.ca

BSc (Wildlife and habitat), MSc (Biology)

Laura moved in Rimouski (Québec) for studies and outdoors, but she had the need to explore new regions of the world and wanted to try the Yukon. She completed a MSc at Université du Québec à Rimouski studying the migration of white spruce along an altitudinal gradient in response to climate changes. She is passionate about ecology and nature and wants to do her best to contribute to wildlife and habitat conservation efforts.

Laura enjoys spending time in the outdoors skiing, biking, hiking or fishing.