Directors are elected by the membership at the CKISS annual general meeting (AGM) for a two-year term. The Board selects the Executive positions (President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary) at the first board meeting following the AGM.
If you are interested in more information about becoming involved on the CKISS Board, please contact us. Find out more about CKISS by clicking here.
Heather Myers, President
Heather has served on the CKISS board for approximately eight years. Retired now, she worked in northern resource management in her first career, then taught at UNBC in Prince George. Heather is dedicated to engaging both members and the public in CKISS’s initiatives and believes that informed and engaged citizens are a crucial part of controlling invasive species.
Janine Dougall, Vice-President
Janine has served on the CKISS Board since 2018 when she came to the area for a position with the RDKB. While working in northern BC she gained experience in invasive plant management and the benefits of coordinated activities across jurisdictions and varied interest groups. She is passionate about the outdoors and has concerns about the potential significant consequences of invasive species.
Matt Morrison, Treasurer
Matt joined CKISS driven by both personal and professional interests in healthy ecosystems and wildlife. He has experience in habitat and wildlife conservation working with the Province, including coordinating the Kootenay Boundary American Bullfrog Control Program between 2019 and 2022. He currently works for the regional government as the Organic Waste Diversion Program coordinator, and is interested in working on projects that reduce the damage of human activities on the world around us.
Allan Freeborn, Director
Allan started his vegetation management business in 2004 and soon after joined CKISS as one of its founding members to enhance his understanding of invasive species in relation to his professional work. He has been with the organization for nearly 20 years.
Eleanor Duifhuis, Director
Eleanor Duifhuis has served on the CKISS board since 2018. She is a Registered Professional Biologist and has lived in the RDCK – Area G since graduating from UNBC in 2015.
Amy Duncan, Director
Amy Duncan is a biologist at FortisBC, with a strong commitment to species at risk conservation, habitat restoration, and the mitigation of environmental risks. With 15 years of experience in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, her MSc research focused on the overwintering ecology of the Western Painted Turtle in reservoir ecosystems. Amy resides in Krestova, BC, with her two sons and an expanding assortment of pets.
Christine Bialkowski, Director
Christine is happy to join CKISS in 2025 with intention to take part in protecting and restoring the natural ecosystems we are so lucky to experience here in the Kootenays. She has lived in Nelson for 30 years, initially working as a biologist in the forestry sector, then changing careers to physiotherapy and joining the team at KLH. Having recently retired she looks forward to engaging with others in CKISS to address invasive species and perhaps use some of her old biologist and naturalist skills along the way. Christine lives with her partner, Bill, enjoys having a fully fledged grown son, Taylor, who lives in the area, and doing all the outdoor activities the Kootenays are known for.
Leanne Godlington joined the CKISS Board in 2025. She holds a degree in Environmental Science from Carleton University and currently works as an Environmental Technician with the Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society. Her current work has deepened her interest in proactive conservation efforts. She is eager to help contribute to CKISS’s mission to mitigate and manage invasive species in order to protect the environmental health of the beautiful Central Kootenays.
Ava Durrell, Secretery
Ava is so happy to be on the CKISS Board of Directors as of 2025. She brings a diploma in Environmental Management from Okanagan College, a degree in Environmental Practice from Royal Roads University,and a lifetime of passion for environmental restoration. Having moved to the Kootenays in 2023, she’s still relatively new to the area, but knows that there’s no better time than the present to be a part of what you believe in. She works for a local municipality as their Recreation Clerk, and loves getting outside and getting her hands dirty.