Instructional Team

James has over 15 years of experience researching and working with fish and fish habitat in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, Québec, and Nunavut. He has a M.Sc. in Biology from the University of Ottawa, and a B.Sc. in Geography from Brandon University. James has worked in fisheries for government and a non-profit organization, and since 2008, has worked as a consultant coordinating and conducting: fish community and Lake Sturgeon monitoring studies; fish health studies; fish habitat mapping studies; fish salvage and relocation operations; and fish movement studies in support of construction and resource development projects. James has extensive experience using a variety of fisheries assessment techniques including backpack, raft, and boat electrofishing.

Mr. Asquith has worked in environmental consulting for the last 14 years and has conducted technical components of biological inventories and environmental monitoring and inspection for oil and gas, hydroelectric, linear infrastructure, and mining projects. His key areas of expertise are erosion and sediment control, training and mentoring, environmental monitoring, fisheries assessments, and auditing/inspecting construction projects. For the past nine years, Mark has been mentoring Indigenous Environmental Monitors. He has taught continuing education programs for the University of Northern British Columbia for six years (2014-2020), which included environmental monitoring and safe electrofishing practices, and he has taught electrofishing through the Natural Resource Training Group (2021 – current).

Mark is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC), and regularly oversees and implements erosion and sediment control plans and environmental management plans, prepares reports and permit applications, and conducts QC/QA checks. He is also a project manager as well as being very experienced with conducting fish and fish habitat assessments, fish salvages, wildlife inventories, site assessments, stream crossing assessments, and site isolations.

Charity has spent the last several years studying long toed salamander ecology in the Rocky Mountains of Southwestern Alberta. Her career stems from a passion for all things nature which began at an early age roaming the forests, rivers, and mountains of Northern British Columbia. Before university, she worked as a wilderness mountain guide and thrived being surrounded by wildlife such as wolves, grizzly bears, and wolverines for weeks at a time, always wanting to know more about how they lived. Since then she has studied rainforest plants from a remote field station in Brazil, worked for a number of municipalities in invasive plant control, taught ecology labs at the University of Calgary, and botany and forest ecology at Northern Lights College. She loves her work as an instructor with NRTG for the opportunity to share her interests with others.   

Tom has worked with fish populations and aquatic habitat since 1982 and has consulted full time since 1990. He has 30+ years of Boat Electrofishing and industry experience working with freshwater fish populations and their habitat. Tom is a respected leader and innovator in the practice of Boat Electrofishing.

As a senior biologist, Tom has managed and participated in countless fisheries and environmental projects that address challenges to fishes and their habitat throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, South and Central America, and the Arctic.

Lawrie is a retired RPBio who has worked in various resource management capacities for over 40 years. His initial education in geomorphology and biology opened the doors to a host of opportunities, primarily related to both fish and wildlife habitat management. Lawrie functioned as a wildlife habitat biologist for the Manitoba government for 16 years before moving on to British Columbia and morphing into fisheries habitat management. During the following 22 years he has worked as a both a private consultant and for several consulting companies, being involved in watershed and stream restoration projects, as a First Nations fisheries coordinator and consultant, and multiple years as an environmental monitor across much of BC.

Throughout Lawrie’s career he has placed emphasis on being in the field, getting his boots dirty and hands wet. To Lawrie, this is where the real world is at!

Eric has over 32 years experience as a fisheries consultant in both the private and public sector, accumulating an extensive background in fish and fish habitat assessment, environmental monitoring and environmental assessment.

Since 1999, Eric has taught Electrofishing Certification and fisheries-related courses. He is a knowledgeable and passionate trainer and brings a wealth of practical experience to courses he teaches. Eric has a Fisheries Technology diploma, a Provincial Instructor diploma, and is a certified Environmental Professional.

Eric’s Testimonials: 

• This course was extremely informational and practical. Eric was a wonderful, interesting and knowledgeable instructor. Would recommend this course to all professionals! Cayden Olstad, Biologist, Pritchard, BC
• I learned a great deal about the most appropriate methods for capturing fish in the least harmful and most effective way. A really excellent course and instructor. Jens Uwe Spremberg, Biologist, Nanaimo, BC
• Practical, great instructor! James Boldt, Biologist, Cranbrook, BC
• A great, fun-filled course with valuable field component. Tim Chala, Biologist, Elkford, BC
• Great course! Excellent balance of class vs. field and we learned valuable skills that will certainly help me with my position. Colin LaRochelle, Fisheries Technician, Lillooet, BC
• The quality of this course and instruction was exactly what our company was looking for. Lanny Amos, Biologist, Elkford, BC
• Eric was a great instructor; very knowledgeable, helpful, respectful and passionate about course content. Field component was very valuable, and brought together the whole course. Dylan Begin, Biologist, Cranbrook, BC
• Great instructor! I am experienced in the field and learned lots too. Patricia Clarke, Fisheries Technician, Merritt, BC
• This course was professionally conducted and provided training specific to the needs of our organization. Excellent instructor and course content. Natasha Lukey, Fisheries Technician, Kelowna, BC
• Excellent course, awesome instructors! Roxanne Pinyon, Environmental Technician, Merritt, BC

Since 1990, Morgan has trained over 1,000 environmental practitioners. Highly regarded, Morgan uses his 30+ years of experience to passionately share knowledge and is able to deliver focused material that brings value to the client and students.  Through patience, empathy, and kindness he makes a direct connection with many of the students and passes on his experience in a meaningful format.

Since 2009, Jenn has been a Terrestrial Ecologist with a passion for botany in both the private and public sectors. Her formal botanical training in species identification and specimen collection came from Cape Breton University, Western University, and the Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada. She is especially interested in restoration of terrestrial habitats and invasive species management. In the office, Jennifer has experience with policy analysis, Endangered Species Act permitting, analysis of development impacts, report writing, and project management. Jenn’s career started in Nova Scotia, transitioned to Ontario after doing a M.Sc., and has now led her to Manitoba. She has continued to educate herself and grow her skill set through courses and certifications, such as becoming an ISA Certified Arborist and completing training in wetland evaluation. 

Over the past 15 years, Greg Eisler has been fortunate to work in a number of different sectors within the Freshwater Fisheries discipline. Experience gained while working for a not-for-profit conservation organization as well as with provincial and federal and provincial agencies has afforded him a unique perspective on the management, use and protection of western Canada’s freshwater fisheries.

In his current position as an aquatic consultant, Greg has designed mitigating and compensatory programs for various partners across western Canada and has managed and/or conducted numerous fish population and habitat inventories, fish health investigations, salvage programs, telemetry assisted passage assessments, aquatic habitat mapping projects and spawning surveys. He has also gained invaluable experience in the design and implementation of a number of large fisheries management projects for the province of Alberta, private industry and the multi-partner funding agencies.

Doug Ellis is a highly regarded, experienced Natural Resource educator and practitioner in BC Doug has more than 30 years experience teaching and working in the education, safety, wildland fire, forestry, arboriculture and recreation sectors. Doug travels throughout BC and Canada conducting field work and teaching Safety, Forestry, Wildlife Danger Tree, Sled Safe, ATV/UTV, Chainsaw, Firefighting and other training programs.

Dave Evans is an Aquatic Specialist and Project Manager with over 25 years of experience in fisheries and aquatic resources as a technician, instructor, consultant and regulator. He has extensive experience conducting and overseeing fish habitat and inventory studies as well as environmental impact assessments in western Canada and has also completed aquatic studies in the US Pacific Northwest and northern Canada. He has provided project management, planning, and permitting expertise to numerous projects in transportation, infrastructure, oil and gas and government sectors, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best management practices while also providing practical, cost-effective solutions for clients. He is currently working on several watershed restoration plans focusing on species at risk in the east slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains including aquatic habitat restoration and monitoring, water quality improvement, fish relocation and spawning habitat enhancement.  

Lindsey Felix is an Instructor and Editor with over 10 years of experience in Biology, Environmental Science, and Toxicology. Lindsey has been an Instructor with the NRTG since 2022. Lindsey is also a Science Consulting Editor with Ecofish Research Ltd. and a Sessional Instructor with MacEwan University. Lindsey has PhD in Aquatic Toxicology from the University of Alberta, a BSc with a Cooperative Major in Marine Biology and a Minor in Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University, and has published ten journal articles, two book chapters, and several technical documents. Lindsey has field experience in academia and industry settings. Lindsey lives in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Rebecca Hay is a terrestrial ecologist who has worked for nearly twenty years in the private, non-profit, and government sectors in Ontario, Canada with a specialization in botanical field investigations including plant inventories, vegetation classification and mapping, and wetland assessments.  She has an undergraduate degree in Environment and Resource Studies and a diploma in Horticulture.  The majority of her career has involved the completion of environmental impact studies and environmental assessments, requiring the documentation and evaluation of natural features; assessment of project impacts on natural features; development of mitigation measures to avoid, minimize or offset negative impacts; and the application of relevant policies and legislation.  She is also an avid gardener with an interest in native and edible plants, herbalism, and foraging.  

Alan McNeill has 25 years experience in fisheries management specializing in freshwater species. His primary interests are population enumeration for various species in streams and lakes, habitat assessment for salmonids, aquaculture, regulation development, creel and angler surveys, and sportfish promotion. Al has a BSc. (Honours, Marine Biology) from the University of Guelph and several technical certifications including Certified Electrofishing Crew Leader, Seafarers and Wilderness First Aid, Swiftwater Safety Technician, SCUBA diver, Marine Emergency Duty, Coastal Navigation, Certified Installer for Watercourse Alterations.

Al has worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Halifax and Pictou, Nova Scotia. Al is currently Director with the Inland Fisheries Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Al is the Past President of the Atlantic International Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and recipient of the Premiers Award of Excellence in 2007 for his work on the Environmental Monitoring Program for Marine Aquaculture. Al currently lives in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

Al’s Testimonials: 

• “Al was fantastic! Very encouraging, entertaining and knowledgeable”. Tanya Prystay, Biologist, Stantec, Burnaby BC
• “Great instruction! Excellent knowledge base and a keen interest to share experience and enthusiasm for field biology”. Micki Steedman, Biologist, Stantec, Burnaby BC
• “Alan McNeil and Darren were amazing instructors. Super knowledgeable, encouraging and friendly. We all learned so much and received great practical tips”. Elaine Leung, Biologist, Vancouver BC
• “Just want to say that I really enjoyed the course. Al really helped create a collaborative learning environment and a feeling of teamwork that was greatly appreciated. I also felt very safe throughout the course, knowing that we were in good hands. Here’s to hoping for another course with you guys!” Luke Warkentin, Environmental Scientist, Stantec, Vancouver BC
• “Al McNeill was fantastic!, knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic. Course exceeded my expectations”. Noel Soogrim, Toronto, Ontario
• “Alan was attentive and patient while we practiced on equipment. I appreciated his mind set on safety and providing a safe learning environment.“ Meghan McCarthy, Dartmouth NS
• “Alan was amazing, so knowledgeable. This course was great, I enjoyed the combo of theory and in-person training and experience. Alan has a great teaching approach, it didn’t feel rushed.” Dartmouth NS
• “The electrofishing course was excellent. Alan was incredibly knowledgeable, and the field component was fantastic.” Montana McLean-Gregoire, Dartmouth NS
• “Alan provided excellent training, both in class and in the field. I feel very prepared to electrofish after taking this course.” Sarah MacLeod, Dartmouth NS

Sean has worked in and studied the field of biology and impact assessment since 1987 and in that time has gained experience in four Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland) working on a broad array of fish and wildlife, from periphyton to mammals. Sean’s experience has ranged widely from basic fieldwork to experimental biomechanics of crustaceans; from environmental impact analyses and fisheries issues through biogeography, philosophy, and sophisticated data analyses and modelling; from forests to the ocean. Sean has been, and strives to remain, a generalist in a world of hyper specialization and fascination with technology.

Leeann Muggeridge is a Registered Technologist in Biology (R.T. Biol) with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists and an Applied Biology Technician (A.B.T) with the British Columbia College of Applied Biology. Leeann has a diploma in Marine Environmental Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Applied Science from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She has been working as an Environmental Specialist for 9+ years in Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, and British Columbia, specializing in construction management and monitoring, habitat assessments in natural and disturbed areas, wildlife management, and fisheries and aquatics. A portion of her career has focused on fish salvaging, fish habitat monitoring, and fish stranding projects to determine and minimize the effects on fish during infrastructure projects and mining operations. Leeann has been backpack electrofishing since 2018, which has become a useful tool in fish studies and the protection of fish for both large- and small-scale projects.

Thomas Munson holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree from University of Waterloo, and a Restoration of Natural Systems Diploma and Masters of Science degree from the University of Victoria. He is a Professional Agrologist and Certified Wildlife and Danger Tree Assessor. He worked with First Nations in the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, and Colombia, South America for much of his career. Thomas has carried out field work in the areas of fisheries, wildlife, botany, archaeology, forestry, vegetation inventory and environmental assessment. Thomas worked for many years as Environmental Technician for City of Victoria Parks, in ecological restoration and management of Garry oak ecosystems. Now, as Senior Environmental Planner for District of Saanich, he works to protect these same Garry Oak ecosystems from development activities.

Sean Power is a Registered Professional Forester that has spent most of his 25 working years in Harvest Operations and Operational Planning focusing on GPS, Lidar, and drone technology. He graduated from the College of North Atlantic in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, obtaining his Forest Technician diploma then continuing on to complete a Bachelor of Science in forestry from Lakehead University (Thunder Bay, ON).

He currently works as the Manager of Forest Management Planning at the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables in Nova Scotia, working on an overhaul of current forest management practices aiming toward more ecological based conditions, as well as working on research projects that complement this new approach

Maggie Pugh is an Ecologist with more than 18 years specializing in ecosystem assessment. She completed graduate research in Canada’s northern wetlands and has worked as an ecologist in the private sector for more that 15 years.  She is a seasoned field biologist with expertise in Species at Risk screenings and permitting, flora and fauna inventories, seasonal wildlife surveys, significant wildlife habitat assessment, rare species monitoring programs, wetland and vegetation community assessments, sediment/ erosion control and environmental monitoring. Maggie is an Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES) evaluator, Butternut Health Assessor, and is certified in Ecological Land Classification (ELC).

Mark Pulsifer is a Wildlife Biologist with over 35 years experience working in government, academic, and private sectors in Nova Scotia. Mark was a wildlife biologist, integrated resource manager, and project manager for the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables from 1988 to 2020. During those years he managed multi-year projects on the conservation biology and ecology of moose, wood turtles, old growth forest and freshwater mussels. Mark also taught field biology, and resource management at St. Francis Xavier University for 29 years before retiring. Shortly after retiring, Mark formed his own wildlife consulting company, and is currently involved in a wide variety of projects ranging from wildlife and habitat assessments, and designing wildlife crossings for highway construction, to writing conservation plans for species at risk, and instructing forest professionals on biodiversity-friendly ecological forestry techniques.

Jeannine has over 12 years experience studying birds in both academic and professional contexts. Her broad interest in ecology stems from a diverse background, working on multiple taxa in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Jamaica. In particular, she has a strong proficiency in the planning and implementation of avian-specific field techniques, including capture methods, nest surveys, and identifying species by sight and sound. She has also studied the breeding ecology of amphibians and conducted amphibian salvage. Jeannine is skilled at communicating with diverse groups of learners in both classroom and applied field settings. She is passionate about teaching and applying sound scientific practices as an environmental professional.

Jeff holds a PhD. in Limnology and an Aquaculture Technician Diploma. He served as manager of a commercial salmonid hatchery for 4 years, lectured at the University of Saskatchewan on topics of fish physiology, taxonomy, ecology, conservation, and aquaculture. Currently, Jeff is a Senior Habitat and Population Ecologist with the Saskatchewan Government and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan.

Jeff’s research has encompassed topics such as assessing the risk of lakes to anthropogenic eutrophication, macrophyte management, fish habitat restoration, and the impacts of water management on species as risk (Bigmouth Buffalo, Chestnut Lamprey, Mountain Sucker, and Lake Sturgeon). Jeff’s research has been presented at over 60 national and international conferences and resulted in 15 peer reviewed publications.