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Directors

Peter Scholefield, Past President

Peter joined the board in 2002 and served as President from 2004 until 2024 - 20 YEARS!. He leads the Conservancy's role as manager of the three nature reserves. In 1996. Peter and his family purchased a waterfront lot in Gambier Estates, where they built a log cabin in 1998 while he was still in Geneva. Peter is an avid hiker, cyclist, gardener and tennis player and enjoys frequent visits to their Gambier Island paradise throughout the year

Peter retired in 2000 from his job managing the World Climate Data and Monitoring Programme at the Secretariat of the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland .

Boris Gorgitza, Treasurer

Boris has been on the board since 2011 and is the Trail Coordinator. His love of nature was nurtured by summers spent at the family cottage in Ontario's Kawartha Lakes region. After pursuing his dream of living at the cottage, he and his spouse moved to Gambier Island in 1993, where they raised their two children.

Boris is currently employed with the Canada Revenue Agency in the Aggressive Tax Planning section.

Peter Snell, Director

Peter joined the board in 2017 as is a trail coordinator. His love of the outdoors was born in the lakes and forests of Ontario where he led canoe trips up to 36 days in length. His family own a cabin on Gambier Island near Ekins Point which they use throughout the year to explore Howe Sound.

Peter has a Masters Degree in Environmental Studies, and he practices Franchise Law at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP .

Carol Petroski, President

Carol joined the board in 2019 and served as secretary until the resignation of Peter Scholefield, when she became President. She leads the Conservancy's role as manager of the three nature reserves.
Her love of Gambier began as a youth at Camp Artaban, where she was a camper, and a counselor. She and her husband have built their home at Brigade Bay and is an avid but very new gardener on the island. She is very involved in the Brigade Bay community.

Carol retired after 27 years In the Buying and Design department with Mountain Equipment Coop in 2017, finishing her career as Director of Inventory and Logistics

Jeanne Mikita, Director 

 Jeanne joined the board in 2021.  She and her husband live much of the year in Gambier Harbour, which she enjoys as a home base for exploring the forests and ocean and working in her garden. 

Jeanne is now semi-retired after a long career as a geography instructor at Capilano University, where she has taught courses focused on environmental issues, sustainability, and regional studies.  She looks forward to helping other educators bring students to the island for experiential learning and projects that mesh with Conservancy goals.    

Mike Stamford, Director

Mike joined the board in 2013. He has always had a deep passion for the natural world.  Mike and his family have been residents on the island since 2003. As one of a small number of full-time “Gambierites”, Mike is a familiar member of the community and knows the island well.

Mike is a professional biologist and an environmental consultant specializing in freshwater fishes.

Samantha Wing

Sam joined the board in 2024. Her family have been part-time residents in West Bay since 2002.
Sam leads the Knowing our Fish Creeks project on Gambier and has been involved in Coastal Tailed Frog research on the island as well. She manages several other biodiversity conservation projects throughout the region in her role as Project Manager for the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society.

She looks forward to continuing the work of the Gambier Conservancy into the next generation, balancing human use with biodiversity conservation on this incredible island.