Rick retired from Government Service at the end of December 2017, having served with the OPP, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and ended his career with the Ministry of the Attorney General. He volunteered in the archives at the Royal Botanical Gardens and was also employed there as a Visitor Experience Host.

Rick has been coming to the Georgian Bay area since 1973. He and his wife moved to Honey Harbour in June 2021 and rented there while house hunting. They found their home in Penetang and moved there in December 2021. They have family in Lafontaine, Midland, Coldwater and Honey Harbour.

 Rick is an avid bicyclist and enjoys hiking and photography. For Rick, the Wye Marsh is a special place which deserves our respect and care.

Susan is a newly retired Executive from Nestle Purina Petcare where she was the Vice President of Marketing, overseeing areas of strategic planning, product development, advertising,  events and  consumer research. She also had a unique opportunity to bring a not-for-profit Pet Experience Centre to life in 2004 -2014 called PawsWay In downtown Toronto.   

Susan grew up in Penetanguishene, raised her 3 children in Newmarket and after retirement, has returned to the area full time, residing in Victoria Harbour. Susan is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, skiing and snowshoeing which brings her to the Wye Marsh often. 

In 2010 Graham retired from a thirty-five year career as a French Immersion educator with the North York (now Toronto) School Board and the York Region District School Board. Outdoor Education was always a passion and focus during Graham’s career and he brought students to the Wye Marsh on several occasions in the 1980’s and 90’s. The importance of introducing children to the natural world and instilling in them the importance of preserving wetland areas has always been an area of interest. 

Immediately after Graham and his wife, Susan, moved to Midland in 2015 he started volunteering, in a variety of capacities, at the Wye Marsh and enjoys it immensely. The decision to get involved at the Marsh was a ‘no brainer’. 

Graham enjoys independent travel adventures, tennis, cycling, volunteering with various organizations, and skiing. And, of course, enjoying the Wye Marsh during all seasons of the year.

With a background in University Administration, upon retirement Jana Luker was drawn to Midland and the Wye Marsh, having spent much her childhood just down the road. Appreciating that the Marsh provides a wind & storm buffer, as well as wildlife nurseries, and flood control, she reasoned that it was a good time to give back to this local gem as well as to the wider community. When not on Georgian Bay sailing, Jana attempts triathlons and sings in the local Shout Sister choir. She lives with her long-suffering spouse in Midland and misses her adult daughters terribly.

Laura retired from a leadership role at a Rehabilitation Centre in Toronto.  She has volunteered on several non-for-profit boards related to empowering persons with disabilities. 

Laura is passionate about nature and preserving the dynamic ecosystems integral to the wetland at the Wye Marsh.
  
Laura enjoys spending time in nature with her family skiing, kayaking, hiking, native gardening and observing nature, especially at the Wye Marsh.

Christie (CJ) Adamson is an operations and strategic management leader with over 15 years of experience in higher education administration, stakeholder engagement, and organizational leadership. After spending 15 years in Australia, Christie is excited to contribute to the Wye Marsh, which holds many cherished childhood memories. As a Friends of Wye Marsh Board of Directors member, Christie combines professional expertise with a passion for conservation and education to help protect and enhance this unique natural space for future generations.

In her spare time, Sarah loves to visit the Wye Marsh with her family and her dog Baxter. Sarah grew up in Midland and after more than a decade away she's happy to be back and able to contribute to the Wye Marsh and its continued success and environmental stewardship.