Board of Directors
_edited.jpg)
Suzanne Simard PhD
Founder | President
Dr. Suzanne Simard is a Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada and leader of both The Mother Tree Project and Mother Tree Network. Her research focuses on the complexity and interconnectedness of nature and is guided by her deep connection to the land and her time spent amongst the trees.
She is known worldwide for her pioneering work on how trees interact with one another and communicate using below-ground fungal networks. With a team of collaborators, Dr. Simard has established the Mother Tree Project, an innovative long-term experiment crossing a 900-km climate gradient that is investigating how retention of old trees helps protect biodiversity, carbon storage, and forest regeneration as climate changes. This research has already shown far-reaching implications for sustainable stewardship of forest ecosystems in evolving climates.
Dr. Simard is a passionate science communication advocate, empowering people to help manage and heal forests from human impacts, including climate change. She shares her research globally through teaching, interviews, documentaries, and her TED Talk, "How trees talk to one another," which, to date, has accumulated more than 5.4 million views and has been translated into dozens of different languages.
​
Dr. Simard's award-winning scientific memoir, "Finding The Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest," continues to extend her global impact. Among its numerous accolades is the prestigious Lewis Thomas Prize, bestowed by New York’s Rockefeller University, awarded in 2023, in recognition of its innovative fusion of science and the humanities.
​
Last year, Dr. Simard also received the Kew International Medal from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew based in London, England. The award recognized her 'invaluable work and devotion' to championing biodiversity in forests.
​
Dr. Simard holds a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology from Oregon State University and is a Registered Professional Forester. In her career, she has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and presented at conferences around the world.
Her enduring commitment to advancing our understanding of forest ecosystems and promoting sustainable stewardship continues to inspire and catalyze positive change on a global scale.
Ross Wilson
Board Member | Vice-President
Ross Wilson is a member and former chief of the Heiltsuk Nation. Ross has been instrumental in leading Indigenous-led stewardship in coastal BC, including as: the Director of the Metlakatla Stewardship Society and as Director of the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department.
Coming Soon
Board Member | Secretary
Coming Soon
Board Member | Treasurer
Click to view LinkedIn profile
Staff
Appointed Acting
Executive Director
Director of Collaborations
Sammy is an Indigenous researcher, and professional agrologist (PAg). Sammy has worked for over a decade on ecological restoration projects and in community-based research. Born in Whitehorse, Yukon and living there for much of his youth, he was exposed from a young age to a life rooted in the outdoors and a deep respect for local Indigenous people and cultures. As a descendent of Cree & Dene peoples from Fort McMurray #468 First Nation, and European colonial settlers. Sammy is always walking, learning, and working in the boundary between Indigenous and Western cultures. Sammy has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria, with a Double Major in Geography and Environmental Studies. His research interests are focused primarily on ecological design and restoration, Indigenous food sovereignty, Indigenous Guardian programs, and Indigenous-led collaborative stewardship.​ Sammy brings his experience in working with Indigenous communities in British Columbia to his role as Director of Collaborations with the Mother Tree Network. Sammy is grateful to live, work and learn with my family on Indigenous lands of the Malahat, Sc'ianew, Songhees, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations.
Coming Soon
Director of Development & Operations
Economic Transitions Lead
Anthony has spent the last decade supporting Indigenous Nations in British Columbia to articulate, assert, and achieve their visions for economic futures and territorial self-governance. With over 15 years in Canada and abroad, he’s collaborated across public, private, and non-profit sectors on community economic development, resource management, and governance. He holds a PhD in Resources, Environment and Sustainability from the University of British Columbia, and a Masters in Geography from the University of Victoria. In his role as Economic Transitions Lead with the Mother Tree Network, he brings a deep understanding of the challenges facing First Nations today, and a passion for co-creating and advancing innovative, culturally grounded strategies that lead to sustainable solutions for communities and ecosystems. Anthony lives with his partner and dog in Ucluelet, British Columbia in the traditional territory of the YuuÅ‚uÊ”iÅ‚Ê”atḥ (Ucluelet First Nation) on the Nuu-chah-nulth coast. In his free time, he rides waves, travels, and is a semi-serious musician creating what he refers to as 'island soul hop'.
Gabriela Barragán A. PhD
Research Manager - Regenerative Forest Stewardship Project
Gabriela is an interdisciplinary environmental researcher with over 15 years of academic and professional experience at the intersection of restoration, conservation, sustainability, and climate resilience.
Gabriela has worked with communities, governments, and NGOs on participatory mapping, GIS analysis, species distribution and climate change modeling, sustainable land-use planning, and policy analysis. Her work has been published in scientific journals and recognized with awards and fellowships from University of British Columbia (UBC) and WWF.
She holds a PhD in Forestry from UBC, where her research focused on forest landscape restoration planning. Gabriela also holds an MSc in Conservation Biology and a BSc in Geographical Sciences with a specialization in land-use planning. Her mixed ancestry from Latin America also informs her commitment to community-driven research and equitable knowledge sharing.
As Research Manager with the Mother Tree Network, she supports a multi-year project with First Nations and researchers to advance regenerative forest stewardship. She lives in Vancouver on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She enjoys hiking, watercolor painting, and dancing.
