The Western Environment Centre is guided by the expertise, experience, and passion of a volunteer Board of Directors, and our small but mighty staff, led by our Executive Director.
Katie grew up playing in the woods, brooks and beaches of Norman's Cove, Trinity Bay. She now lives in Corner Brook with her husband and son, and spends much of her time growing as many vegetables as she can in her garden and greenhouse. When she doesn't have her hands in the soil, she can be found skate skiing at Blow Me Down trails, organizing dance parties and hiking the amazing landscapes of Humber Valley. After 5 years serving as a volunteer board member, she was proud to join WEC in 2016 as the organization's very first executive director. She loves being part of a local grassroots team that is full of passionate people working hard to make the world a better place.
Katie Temple, Executive Director
Andrea Coombs, Outreach Manager
Andrea was born and raised on Ktaqmkuk (the island of Newfoundland) in Mi'kma'ki. She has an MSc in Conservation Biology and her life mission is to be a conduit for knowledge and wonder. Andrea can be found outside - running, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and skiing her way into the wilderness. A dedicated yoga practitioner, connecting deeply to Mother Earth through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness is crucial to her wellbeing. After years of experience in natural resource management with both industry and government, Andrea is thrilled to join the WEC team.
Board of Directors
Growing up in Corner Brook provided Jeri with a love of nature and an appreciation for the incredible scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities in Western Newfoundland. It’s a lifestyle that drew her back home in 2006 to raise her own family. Jeri has a joint degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, and a Masters degree in Biology from Memorial University. In the winter, you’ll likely find her out on the cross-country ski trails or coaching the youth (Jackrabbit) ski program at Blow Me Down trails. Jeri is a keen home gardener and member of the Heights Community Garden.
Jeri Graham, Chair
Simon is originally from Germany and moved to Corner Brook in 2001. He joined the Western Environment Centre in 2007, and acted as Chair of the Board of Directors from 2008 to 2016. His main areas of interest are energy efficient building methods, alternative energies and climate change. He and his partner are advocates of the local and organic food movement. Simon owns a local tutoring business and during the school year he teaches his students math and physics. In the summer he guides and teaches multi-day backpacking trips for the Duke of Edinburgh Program and enjoys sea kayaking along the Newfoundland coastline with his family.
Simon Jansen, Vice-Chair
Edwin has been with the Western Environment Centre since 2008 and brings to the organization years of environmental volunteer experience. In addition to being a member of the Board of Directors, Edwin is WEC’s Secretary and editor of WEC's newsletter.
Edwin holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and currently teaches European History at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Edwin Bezzina, Secretary
Tom grew up in Corner Brook, where he developed a deep appreciation for nature during family camping trips and travelling in NL. He earned a B.Sc. (Biology) at Memorial University, an IT diploma in Halifax, and lived in Torbay and St. John's until 2011, when he returned home to Corner Brook.
Tom is interested in food security issues and environmental advocacy. He is an avid backyard and community gardener, and enjoys organic gardening, making compost, and learning ways to live more sustainably. He enjoys making healthy, biodiverse soil, and recently started vermicomposting at home. Away from the garden, Tom is a musician, and enjoys hiking and cabin time with his dog, Buddy.
Tom Boland, Director
Becky was born and raised in Ohio and spent her early adulthood coast to coast. After receiving a degree in Wildlife Management she has worked for private, not-for-profit and government agencies, primarily in the marine mammal research field. Twelve years ago she moved to Newfoundland, thanks to her husband.
Becky has been living on the west coast of Newfoundland since 2011 and has served as a board member since 2012. Since settling in Pasadena, raising her two young boys has become the priority. Growing vegetables year-round, cooking from scratch, and helping others and the environment at the community level is what she aims for every day.
Rebecca Shea, Director
Although Mervyn was born in England (in the middle of the last century) he considers himself a Newfoundlander by descent - in 1989 a Boeing 767 descended from 39,000 feet to deposit him on the tarmac at St. John's. He immediately moved to the west coast of the island and has been here ever since (except for one year on a course in Winnipeg).
Mervyn is a retired physician and an enthusiastic vegetable gardener, with interest in food sustainability and concerns about climate change and its effects. He lives in Corner Brook with his wife, Sherry, and Sammi, a miniature. poodle.
Mervyn Dean, Director
Emma is currently completing her undergraduate studies in Environment and Sustainability with a focus on resource management. She has been involved with a rural non-profit sustainable housing project and is very interested in environmental education and highlighting sustainable solutions within the community.
She enjoys spending time being surrounded by nature, foraging, hiking, or poking around in her greenhouse. In the winter she loves to ski and adventure
Emma Howell, Director
Samantha Young, Director
Samantha has been living on the West Coast (Best Coast) of the island for the last 10 years. She completed her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and her Masters in Environmental Policy with a focus in community food systems. Samantha loves building up local food systems and helping people find ways to get local food into their diet.
She is a forager, traveller, and lover of good food! If you have a good recipe, send it her way! Samantha has a real passion for connecting people, food and nature in every part of her life and is always looking for ways to continue to do this.