Officers

President

Lisa Atkins

Vice-Presdient

Treasurer, Webmaster

Phil Nauta
I am a SOUL certified organic land care professional and graduate of Gaia College's organic landscape management program. I am also certified in sustainable building and design and am a LEED AP. In October 2007, my sister took over my organic gardening business in Ontario and I moved to Victoria. I promptly found myself appointed the treasurer of SOUL, which is a position very well suited to me.

When I attended Gaia College in 2005, I learned a tremendous amount about horticulture and went through an incredible change in how I viewed the world. Working with SOUL is a great opportunity to educate others about the amazing things I have learned. It is also a wonderful group of people with which I I feel very fortunate to be able to associate.

Secretary

Laurie Hardy, Victoria, B.C.
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she attended UVic and earned a degree in Human and Social Development. Retired
as of 2007, for the past ten years she assisted and taught in the Gardening and Customer Service Program at Camosun College. During that time she also got a Master Gardener certificate, a certificate in Organic Landscape Management from Gaia College and a certificate in Basic Landscape
Design. Laurie is also on the Board of Directors for HCP
home of Glendale Gardens and Woodlands.

Directors at large

Certification

Christina Nikolic

Membership

Barbara Bancroft

Organic Master Gardeners

J.R. Rendon

Education

Heide Hermary
As president of Gaia College I have devoted the last 7 years of my life to the development of educational programs in organic horticulture for landscape professionals and home gardeners. My challenge and passion as an educator is to provide the educational support that will enable the gardening community to meet the future with integrity and confidence. I have met the most wonderful people through my involvement with SOUL, and am truly grateful to be able to participate in this organization.

Newsletter/Historian

David Greig
I cut my teeth in organic land care practice in the Yukon Territory where I spent 21 years. Living in Victoria, BC, for the past 14 years has provided many opportunities to expand my learning and experiences. In my day job, I teach employment skills at Camosun College for students who do not have the prerequisites to access regular academic programs. While at Camosun College I developed and taught the Gardening and Customer Service Program with my fellow board member, Laurie Hardy, and I continue to oversee our gardens and greenhouse at the Interurban Campus of the college. At my home, I run a small urban agriculture venture where I raise and sell composting worms and vermicompost and use and sell effective microorganisms (EM1). I hold a Master of Education Degree, am a Certified Master Composter and am a registered Horticultural Therapist (HTR) through the American Association of Horticultural Therapy as well as continuing my studies towards my SOUL certification as an organic land care professional.

Technical Web Support

Michael Hermary

Member at Large

Gail Szostek, Maple Ridge, B.C.
Gail Szostek owns Green Space Consulting and works as the Environmental Technician for the District of Maple Ridge. She has a degree in Horticulture, Journeyman Gardener certification and is a Certified Arborist. She was instrumental in taking the Gaia College Organic Master Gardener Course, complemented by additional region specific courses, to Stony Plain Alberta, where they are successfully completing their first year. Gail has taught organic horticulture courses over the past 20 years, in Ontario, Alberta, and BC. She hopes to bring more organic landscape concepts and food production training opportunites to the Fraser Valley Area.

Member at Large

Maija Finvers