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Appointee Biographies

Committee on the Status of Species at Risk In Ontario (COSSARO)

GLENN CUNNINGTON

Glenn Cunnington is a Project Manager with the District Municipality of Muskoka. He has conducted wildlife research and monitoring for a variety of species throughout Ontario and has served as a member of the E. hog-nosed snake and E. Foxsnake Recover Teams. Prior to his employment at Riverstone, Dr. Cunnington was a Species at Risk Biologist, and a Permitting and Agreements Coordinator with the Ontario Public Service. Dr. Cunnington holds a Ph.D. from Carleton University, and a Master of Science degree from Trent University.

SHANNON CATTON

Shannon Catton is a Senior Ecologist and Project Director for GEI Consultants, and a former Terrestrial Team Lead for Stantec Consulting. Shannon’s community involvement includes serving as a member for Priory Park Public School Council.

ALLISON FEATHERSTONE

Allison Featherstone is an ecologist with LGL Limited environmental research associates, where she leads a team of ecologists, biologists and planners as part of the Senior Management Team. Allison was appointed to the LGL Limited Board of Directors in 2018. Since joining LGL in 2003, Allison has been involved with over 150 natural heritage investigations in support of infrastructure (water, wastewater, transportation), renewable and clean energy projects, comprehensive broad scale environmental studies and Environmental Assessments/Environmental Impact Statements. Allison's community involvement includes participation as a member (2007-2018) and Chair (2014-2018) of the Region of Waterloo's Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee, where she also served as a member on the Region of Waterloo Technical Advisory Committee for Wastewater Master Plan, the Region of Waterloo Transportation Master Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committee, and the Climate Change Adaptation Committee.

JILLIAN DEMAN

Jillian deMan has 23 years of dedicated environmental experience as a Senior Ecologist with AECOM where she has worked on projects across Canada in the renewable mining, transportation, waste and water sectors. Her main role is facilitation of project approvals with respect to the Endangered Species Act. Ms. deMan has an undergraduate degree from Brock University in biological and earth sciences and is recognized as an expert in woodland and wetland restoration before the Environmental Review Tribunal. She is a life time member of the Field Botanists of Ontario and currently volunteers her time with The Owl Foundation.

DARREN SLEEP

Darren Sleep is Senior Director, Conservation Strategies at Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). His former employment includes roles as Project Leader, Forest Ecology at The National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI). Community involvement includes serving as Chair of the Survival and Recovery Working Group for the Species at Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC).

TOBY THORNE

Toby Thorne grew up in the UK with a keen interest in natural history and studied biology at the University of Oxford. He moved to Canada in 2013 to pursue a research master’s degree, studying Ontario Bats. He has worked on a variety of bat focused projects. Toby lives in Toronto, and currently helps lead the Native Bat Conservation Program at the Toronto Zoo, focusing on filling knowledge gaps and raising public awareness of bats in the province. He is the author of a 2016 field guide to Ontario’s bat species.

IAN BARRETT

Ian Barrett is a senior biologist and senior manager of Environmental Projects for Colville Consulting Inc. He is a former biologist for the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, an ecologist for Gartner Lee Limited and a habitat technician for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Mr. Barrett holds a Fish and Wildlife Technologist Diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College, a Bachelor of Science degree from Trent University and a Master of Science Degree from the University of Waterloo. Mr. Barrett is a former member for the Ontario Freshwater Fish Recovery Team and was involved in the development of the recover strategy for the Lake Chubsucker and the management plan for the Grass Pickerel.

DEREK PARKS

Derek Parks is the owner of Parks Environmental Inc., and a former Senior Aquatic Specialist for AECOM. His community involvement includes formerly serving as a member of Environment and Ecological Committee for the Region of Waterloo.

GARY EPP

Gary Epp is the Practice Lead for Ecology for AECOM. He is directly responsible for the management and coordination of a team of ecologists. He is recognized as an expert in ecological assessment before the Ontario Municipal and Environmental Assessment Boards.