12:00noon: location TBA
Feb 09, 2023 12:00 PM
Courtney Smaha: Howe Sound Marine Stewardship
12:00noon: location TBA

Courtney Smaha: Project Director - Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative (formerly the Marine Reference Guide).

About MSI: The Marine Stewardship Initiative (MSI) is a non-profit organization on MakeWay’s Shared Platform. The MSI fosters ocean stewardship and supports regional planning, by mobilizing tools, sharing knowledge, and building community, with the future vision of bringing communities together to achieve positive outcomes for current and future generations of life in Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound. To do this, we conduct aquatic research and monitoring, and education and community engagement, in service of marine planning and relationship building. The MSI provides up-to-date resources and tools for decision-makers, marine spatial planners, and marine sectors (e.g., industry, recreation, tourism, conservation, education) so regional health and sustainable economic and community development can flourish in tandem. To learn more visit our website. 

About the Speaker: Courtney Smaha (she/her/elle) grew up in Northern British Columbia and found a passion for the environment at a young age. This early interest led Courtney to pursue a BA in Environment and Sustainability Geography from the University of British Columbia. This degree steered her into the private sector, where she has gained extensive experience in environmental management. Currently, Courtney is pursuing her Master’s degree at Royal Roads University in Environment and Management, where her thesis is focused on Ecosystem-Based Management of Marine Protected Areas in Canada. This experience informs her enthusiastic, mindful, and collaborative approach to the Marine Stewardship Initiative. Experiencing the beautiful Átl’ḵa7tsem area by foot, snowboard, and sea continues to inspire her daily in creating a sustainable future.