Phil Harvey, Chair

Phil grew up in rural Nova Scotia exploring in the forest and hasn’t stopped since. With long time family ties to the Creston Valley, he now lives on a small farm in Lister with his wife and numerous horses and other animals. In between those times he has managed to gain education, work and volunteer experience that enables him to introduce to others the value of “getting out there”.

His initial education included a B. Eng. (Mining) degree from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (now part of Dalhousie University). Heading out west in the early 80s he accepted employment with Shell Canada as an engineer. Experience then included a secondment to the British Columbia government in Victoria and obtaining a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Calgary. Later he was employed as an executive with both public and private oil and gas companies headed up by J.C. Anderson. More recently he completed the core curriculum portion of the Certified Financial Planner program. He still retains his professional engineering (life membership) designation.

Phil’s volunteer experience includes involvement with the The Alpine Club of Canada, Cochrane Search & Rescue, minor hockey, not-for-profit boards and major fund raising by university alumni. He believes that the Discovery Centre has a key role to play in Creston Valley eco-tourism and environmental education for many decades to come.

Jim Kuemper, Vice Chair

Jim was born in the small farming community of Humbolt Sask. and at the age of 5, his family moved to Calgary. He remained in Calgary, married his wife Michele, and raised 3 children and currently have 6 grandchildren. H retired in January 2020, after working primarily in the electronics industry and most recently as Manager, Engineering (Western Canada) for a worldwide audiovisual firm. They moved to Creston in 2014, where they enjoy a wonderful work / life balance with many new friends and experiences.

His interests include photography, fishing, outdoor activities, woodworking and motorcycling.

Signe Miller, Treasurer

Signe has lived in the Creston Valley for over 35 years and is a long-time community volunteer and advocate. After arriving in Creston as a journalist with The Advance, she went on to own and operate several small businesses, including a driving school, and worked as a naturalist at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area. She has served extensively on local boards, including the Creston Community Foundation, Hospice, and the Creston and District Society for Community Living, and has supported numerous non-profit organizations through writing and volunteer service. Sina has also contributed to community planning through the Official Community Plan and advisory housing committees, and currently serves as Secretary of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29. In recognition of her volunteerism, she has received both the Queen Elizabeth II Medal and the Governor General’s Medal.

Paityn Kuiper, Director

Paityn is a new resident of Creston and has quickly developed a strong connection to the area’s landscape, community, and people. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Commerce and holds a diploma in Business Administration with a focus on Management.

Paityn brings valuable experience from her volunteer work in Alberta with WILDNorth, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization, as well as from her professional role with the Edmonton Valley Zoo Development Society (EVZDS). Through these experiences, she developed a deep passion for wildlife and nature conservation, along with a strong appreciation for conservation education and community engagement as tools for long-term impact.

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Paityn has developed a deep appreciation for various nature-based activities and looks forward to exploring all that Creston has to offer. Her interests include bird watching, hiking, paddleboarding, and snowshoeing, which further reinforce her personal connection to conservation and the natural environment.

As a board member, Paityn is motivated to apply her business education and conservation experience to support the organization’s mission and contribute to its continued growth and success.

Carla Ahern, Executive Director

With a degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria and a love of natural spaces and wildlife, Carla has put her passion towards conservation and education endeavours related to wild spaces.   She has worked in the field of conservation biology studying such animals as the desert tortoise, northern spotted owl and northern leopard frog and has developed and delivered environmental education programs to youth and adults in a variety of settings and geographic areas for more than 20 years.

Carla worked for the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA) as their Education and Communication Coordinator for more than 10 years. This involved the operation of the Wildlife Interpretation Centre and its programs and events as well as promotions, marketing, advertising and fundraising.   She is so excited to continue to deliver and develop wetland education programming at the CVWMA and be part the process of developing a new Discovery Centre in her role as Senior Manager with KCDCS.

Carla is currently sits on the Board for  with Wetland Link International, Creston Valley Tourism Society and Wildsight – Creston Valley Bird Festival Committee.  Carla has called Creston home since 2005 and happily lives “out in the sticks” with her husband and two kids.

Seasonal Wetland Naturalists

Wetland Naturalists join us seasonally to assist in the delivery of wetland education and awareness programs.