Staff

Vern Bastable

Vern Bastable (he/him) is the Director of GreenUP Ecology Park and Landscape Programs. Vern has been an integral part of GreenUP’s urban forest program and the operations of the tree nursery in GreenUP Ecology Park. He earned an Ecosystem Management Diploma from Fleming College and is an Ontario certified tree seed collector. Vern’s expertise is with urban forest management and municipal heritage tree designation.

705-745-3238 Ext. 217  | vern.bastable@greenup.on.ca

Clara Blakelock

Clara Blakelock (she/her) is a Registered Energy Advisor with GreenUP, performing home energy audits. Before starting with Green UP, Clara spent six years with Green Communities Canada as a project manager working on initiatives to advance transformative green infrastructure in Canadian communities. Clara has a Master’s in Engineering and Public Policy from McMaster University, and is currently pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Sustainable Energy Management. She volunteers on the Peterborough Environmental Advisory Committee. She also spends time mending, sewing, cycling, and wrangling her young children.

clara.blakelock@greenup.on.ca

Bev Bonner

Bev Bonner (she/her) is the Director of Finance and Operations at GreenUP.  Bev studied Business Administration and brings over 25 years of experience to GreenUP after working in the private sector. Bev is happy to be part of a community-based organization that allows her to work with a team of passionate workers who are so dedicated to what they do. Outside the office, you can find Bev walking the trails around Peterborough, preparing for her next long distance race or teeing up at a local golf course.

705-745-3238 Ext. 215 | bev.bonner@greenup.on.ca

Ashley Burnie

Ashley Burnie (she/her) a Program Coordinator at GreenUP working on Shifting Gears projects, such as the Shifting Gears Challenge and Count Week, and Active School Travel Peterborough Projects, such as Let’s Bike. Ashley holds a Bachelor’s of Arts, with Honours, in Global Development Studies from Queen’s University, a post-grad in Project Management from University of Toronto and is a member of the Project Management Institute. Ashley comes about her love of planning and executing projects by way of 10 years of organic farming, where she also found time to become a Red Seal Chef. When Ashley isn’t planning events or making spreadsheets, you can find her riding her road bike, sewing her wardrobe and searching for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.

ashley.burnie@greenup.on.ca

Parys Carr

Parys Carr (she/her) is a part of GreenUP’s Environmental Education Staff. She spends most of her days at Ecology Park helping to facilitate nature-based school programs and the Earth Adventures Camp throughout the summer months. Parys has a Bachelor’s of Environmental Science and Studies, with Honours, from Trent University and will soon be returning for Teachers College. Parys has worked with Ontario Parks and was the Friends of Presqu’ile Park Student Bursary recipient in past summers. She is passionate about outdoor learning and getting the community involved. Her free time is spent walking local trails with her dog, swimming at the cottage with family, reading, and volunteering with other organizations in Peterborough.

Jackie Donaldson

Jackie Donaldson (she/her) is a Program Coordinator at GreenUP working with Green Economy Peterborough and specializing in communications, public outreach, and program development. A big fan of the Kawarthas and community-based environmental action, Jackie has thirty years of experience in the non-profit, public health, municipal, small business, and media sectors. Jackie has a Bachelor’s of Arts, with Honours (Anthropology), and Bachelor’s of Education from Trent University where she is currently working on a Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies. Jackie has volunteered on numerous local boards and has a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Fleming College. She loves canoe tripping with her family, cycling, writing, and seeking out (and sampling) butter tarts listed on the Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour.

jackie.donaldson@greenup.on.ca

Willow Graham-des Vignes

Willow Graham-des Vignes (she/her) is Support Staff working at GreenUP’s Ecology Park in the Nursery and with GreenUP’s Education Programs. Willow is going into her 4th year at Trent University within the Environmental Resource Science Program. Along with GreenUP, Willow also works as a pond technician and hopes to peruse a career in ecological restoration in the future.  In her free time she enjoys painting and hiking.

Laura Keresztesi

Laura Keresztesi (she/her) is a Program Coordinator at GreenUP. Laura holds a Bachelor’s of Community Design from Dalhousie University and a post-graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Fleming College. Since graduating, Laura has enjoyed working in the field of community development in a variety of different capacities. From helping to plant kitchen gardens in Tegucigalpa to working in a Toronto City Councillor’s office, Laura has been honoured to have the opportunity to work directly with neighbours, forming meaningful relationships and partnerships while working towards shared goals.  Laura is grateful for any opportunity to be outside.  She enjoys gardening, camping, cycling, pottery and is always eager to explore and imagine the world with her young children – as long as she’s had her morning quota of Yorkshire Gold.

705-745-3238 Ext. 206 | laura.keresztesi@greenup.on.ca

Kristen LaRocque

Kristen LaRocque (she/her) is Program Coordinator at the GreenUP Store & Resource Centre. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Trent University. Her work and volunteer experience in the community of Peterborough covers a broad range of interests including sustainable and local food production, conservation of natural resources, and promotion of healthy active lifestyles. Kristen is an all-weather cyclist who looks forward to a future that includes separated bike lanes and an abundance of pedestrian crossings near all city parks. She is passionate about cycling safety and sustainable modes of transport. Outside of the office, Kristen enjoys running along the Rotary Trail and spending time with her adventuresome son, encouraging his love of cycling and the great outdoors.

705-745-3238 Ext. 222 | kristen.larocque@greenup.on.ca

Bryn Magee

Bryn Magee (he/him) is a Program Coordinator with GreenUP’s Residential Programs. In the past, Bryn volunteered for four years in the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre. Bryn has a Master’s in Environmental and Life Sciences from Trent University, an Advanced Cooperative Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Industrial) from Centennial College, and is a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT). Away from work, Bryn can be found enjoying the beautiful outdoors for all it has to offer through numerous activities.

bryn.magee@greenup.on.ca

Lucy Martin-Johnson

Lucy Martin-Johnson (she/her) is Nursery Coordinator at GreenUP’s Ecology Park. She is passionate about protecting the health of local ecosystems through native plant horticulture, seed collection, and accessible research. Lucy received her degree and diploma in Ecological Restoration from Trent University and Fleming College. She is excited about the role of community in ecological restoration projects. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, snorkelling, and exploring.

Karen O’Krafka

Karen O’Krafka (she/her) is a Program Coordinator with GreenUP. She coordinates Ecology Park School Programs, Earth Adventures, Girl’s Climate Leadership, and the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival. Karen holds a Bachelor’s of Arts with Honours in International Development Studies with a focus on Sustainable Community Development from Guelph, and a Bachelor’s of Education in Outdoor and Experiential Education from Queen’s University. With Karen’s passion for environmental sustainability and education, she has spent two decades working and volunteering on both the west and east coast, as well as many local and international environmental non-profits, camps, outdoor education centres, schools, and conservation authorities. Karen creates and coordinates meaningful, action-oriented youth education on water and climate by weaving together her recent work for the community collaborative Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship, as a co-founder and instructor of Hardwood Nature School, and as a long-time board member with the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario.

705-745-3238 Ext. 207 | karen.okrafka@greenup.on.ca

Heather Ray

Heather Ray (she/her) is Director of Programs at GreenUP. Heather holds an honours BES in Environmental Resource Management from University of Waterloo, Diploma in Environmental Assessment and Master’s of International Public Policy, focus on Environmental Policy and Global Governance, from Wilfrid Laurier University. Heather’s academic research focused heavily on the study of water and she brings years of experience working within the non profit sector supporting international, national and local initiatives. Heather is committed to joining a diverse range of people and perspectives, all with water and our environment as a common connection. Outside of GreenUP you can find Heather writing, farming, and playing outside.

705-745-3238 Ext. 204 | heather.ray@greenup.on.ca

Maia Schnalzer

Maia Schnalzer (she/her) is Landscape Support Staff at GreenUP Ecology Park for the summer. She has just graduated from Trent University with a degree in environmental science and studies. Maia is interested in local ecology and wildlife conservation. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, canoeing, and walking her dog.

Catriona Sinclair

Catriona Sinclair (she/her) is the new Home Energy Program Coordinator at GreenUP. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Humanities from the University of Toronto, is an Associate of the Ontario College of Art (now OCADU) and has diplomas in Career & Work Counselling, and Recreation & Leisure Studies. She is concerned about climate change and the environment, and is glad to be working in a position that helps create positive change. She and her husband, Angelo di Petta, a noted Canadian ceramic artist, together with their young daughter Gillian moved from downtown Toronto to an acreage near Millbrook 28 years ago and never looked back. Gillian’s rural upbringing is reflected in her career as Greenhouse Coordinator at Alderville First Nation Black Oak Savanna. Catriona loves observing nature, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and camping, having grown up with a cottage in Algonquin Park. Her other interests include sewing and weaving, where she exercises her passion for colour, as well as reading, watching TV, and feeding the birds.

catriona.sinclair@greenup.on.ca

Rachel Smith-Young

Rachel Smith-Young (she/her) is an Environmental Educator at GreenUP for the summer, running programs for schools at Ecology Park as well as assisting with summer camp programming. Rachel recently graduated from Trent University with a BA in Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sociology. She is passionate about local food sovereignty, community gardens, and improving active and sustainable transportation infrastructure. Outside of work, she spends her summers gardening, camping, cycling, and enjoying the patios here in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough.

Natalie Stephenson

Natalie Stephenson (she/her) is a Program Coordinator with GreenUP working on Green Economy Peterborough and specializing in hub network development, inventory analysis, and member support. Natalie also coordinates Blue W. Natalie has a Bachelor’s of Arts, with Honours, in Environmental Resource Studies and Sociology from Trent University. She is passionate about the intersections between social and environmental problems. Natalie has a host of experience in grassroots community organizing. When she’s not working on Green Economy Peterborough, you will find Natalie riding on our local trails with her two kiddos, and volunteering on community projects, including King Edward Community Garden and Peterborough VegFest.     

705-745-3238 Ext. 223 | natalie.stephenson@greenup.on.ca

Lindsay Stroud

Lindsay Stroud (she/her) is Director of Development and Programs at GreenUP. Though always intent on caring for the environment and community, it wasn’t until Lindsay arrived in Peterborough and began volunteering at B!KE, that she realized the power that active and sustainable transportation had to truly change the world. Lindsay joined GreenUP as transportation program coordinator in 2012 and has worked with a passionate, inspiring teams to create Pedal Power, one if the province’s first in-school cycling education programs, and Peterborough Pulse, the city’s first Open Streets event. Lindsay holds an honours BSc in Zoology from the University of Guelph and a BEd from Trent University, and has enjoyed over fifteen years of organizing environmental education and community engagement programs for not-for-profit and government agencies. Outside of the office, Lindsay has worked with other inspiring teams to create Repair Café Peterborough and the Peterborough Tool Library, selfishly feeding her love of making and fixing.

705-745-3238 Ext. 209 | lindsay.stroud@greenup.on.ca

Jessica Todd

Jessica Todd (she/her) is the Communications and GreenUP Store & Resource Centre Associate. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental and Resource Science from Trent University. She previously volunteered in the GreenUP Store as well as at community events including Peterborough Pulse. Jessica is passionate about spreading environmental awareness and sustainability. She is excited to see Peterborough continue to evolve into a more sustainable community. Jessica hopes to see separated bicycle lanes and a green bin program in the future. Outside the office, Jessica enjoys cycling along the trails, spending time with family, baking, and crafting.

705-745-3238 Ext. 222| jessica.todd@greenup.on.ca

Lili Paradi

Lili Paradi (she/her) is the newest Communications Manager for GreenUP. She recently completed a Master of Science degree in Science Communication from the University of Edinburgh and holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. She is eager to share compelling and empowering stories to as many people about the nature of people and the planet. Behind the scenes, Lili is an avid hiker, traveler, book-lover and enjoys jumping into as many bodies of water as possible with her family and fluffy Hungarian Puli dog.

lili.paradi@greenup.on.ca

Emily Twomey

Emily Twomey (she/her) is the Program Assistant at GreenUP working with Green Economy Peterborough and business programs. She is currently working towards her undergraduate degree in the Environmental and Business program at the University of Waterloo. Emily is passionate about helping businesses address organizational sustainability and make choices that better the environment and their communities. In her free time, you can find Emily spending time with friends and family, going on walks by the water, and exploring cafes around Peterborough!

business@greenup.on.ca

Jill Bishop

Jillian Bishop (she/her) has been passionately involved in working with many aspects of our local food system for over 10 years. For the past five years, she has coordinated the Peterborough Community Garden Network. Her role is currently evolving and she now works with Nourish, where she continues to support and encourage the production, consumption, and enjoyment of locally grown food. GreenUP continues to collaborate with Jillian as she continues her amazing work at the Nourish office at the YWCA, 216 Simcoe St.

705-743-3526 Ext. 115 | growing@nourishproject.ca