Roberta Clowater – Executive Director
Roberta Clowater has been the Executive Director of the New Brunswick Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society since its creation in 2004. Roberta holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Arts in Regional Planning and Resource Development from the University of Waterloo.
Roberta has worked for the past 28 years in leadership roles for non-governmental conservation organizations in New Brunswick, and has served as Chair of the New Brunswick government’s Protected Natural Areas Provincial Advisory Committee, a member of the Task Force on Forest Diversity and Wood Supply (2005-2009), a founding member of the NB Wildlife Council (1997-2000), and current Chair of the Board for the international Two Countries, One Forest network. Since 2007, she has taught undergraduate courses at St. Thomas University and at the University of New Brunswick.
Roberta loves a quiet, meandering ramble where she can explore all the little treasures that nature has to offer, like mushrooms, tiny plants, or tide pools!
Danielle Hak – Conservation Education Coordinator
Danielle is an international development professional with a passion for sustainability and conservation in community-based development. At CPAWS NB, Danielle is the coordinator for “Watch Your Paws”, a nature-based education program, where she gets to connect with youth across New Brunswick, teaching them about being environmental stewards.
Danielle graduated from the University of Waterloo, with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, major in International Development and a minor in Sociology, and diploma in Environmental Assessment. Before working at CPAWS, Danielle worked for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, on biodiversity mainstreaming, and gender inclusion in environmental protection. When she is not working, Danielle loves to travel and explore new places in her own city, across Canada, and around the world!
Melanie Jellett – Conservation Coordinator
Mel grew up playing in the forest and along the shores of the Gaspé Peninsula in Québec. From a young age she’s had a deep connection to nature. Her studies at Mount Allison University (Masters of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Canadian Studies) helped her deepen her understanding of her surrounding landscapes, both ecological and political. She brings her experience in research, project management and communications to her work in conservation.
With a passion for communicating the importance of protecting the natural environment, Mel loves being part of a team that is working towards this common goal. She loves the outdoors and will most often be found trail walking with her dog, gardening in the summer, and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Emily Ruttan – Conservation Outreach Assistant
Emily Ruttan is a recent graduate of University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Science in Environment and Natural Resources, majoring in Water Resource Management. Emily has a special interest in wetland conservation, freshwater fish management and integrated watershed management.
It wasn’t until adulthood that Emily realized her love and passion for the environment and hopes that working with CPAWS, she can teach others to explore their own local nature areas and know that it is never too late to begin exploring and learning! Emily is new to the world of conservation and is very eager to learn from those who have pioneered the field within New Brunswick.
While not working, Emily can be found identifying native plant species to anyone who will listen, walking her German Shepherd, Callie, or geocaching!
Riley Lavender – Conservation Assistant
Riley is a graduate from the University of New Brunswick with of Bachelor of Science in Environment and Natural Resources, majoring in Environmental Management and minoring in Biology. From a young age Riley has had an interest in conservation as well as the ocean which led her to take an extra semester in university to complete an entire semester of marine based courses. She cannot wait to learn more through CPAWS as well as teach others how amazing the environment is.
Prior to working for CPAWS Riley worked as an intern for two summers at the Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station. This furthered her interest on marine conservation due to all the time spent on the water looking for Basking sharks and collecting Zooplankton. When not at work, Riley can be found hiking around New Brunswick, biking, and traveling!