Barbara King has served in leadership roles with the organization since 1999. Barbara has been integral in working with lake groups and other non-profits on action-oriented stewardship programs into large multi-stakeholder initiatives that can be launched on a national level. Collaboration and partnerships are at the centre of her work with sharing and capacity building for groups that work with landowners to protect Canada’s lakes and rivers.

Barbara holds a Master’s in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University and an environmental management diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College. She brings extensive experience in leadership with over 20 years of direct project development experience and expertise. Barbara lives on a lake with her family in Maberly, Ontario. She enjoys mountain biking, swimming, and exploring nature.

Ayal Lesh

Director of Development and Fundraising

Ayal’s love of nature and wildlife started as a child and led him to pursue a career in the environmental sector. After completing an Environmental Science degree at Trent University, he initially worked in several provincial and national government departments followed by over 25 years in the non-profit world developing environmental education and engagement programs, managing organizations, and fundraising. Ayal was thrilled to join the Watersheds Canada team in 2021 because of its profound mission and values, impactful programs and initiatives, and dedicated, highly skilled staff.

When not working to protect and improve the natural world, Ayal enjoys being active in the natural world — particularly in and around freshwater ecosystems. He spends a good part of every summer, and many winters, on lakes and rivers in regions including Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton Highlands and Muskoka Lakes.

Melissa Dakers joined the Watersheds Canada team in 2015, after taking time to raise her two sons. During that time, Melissa was a very active member of the Mississippi Lakes Association, where she was the Water Quality & Lake Steward on the board of directors for twelve years. She was an enthusiastic member of the Mississippi Lake Plan Committee, where she has lent her expertise to the completion of the Mississippi Lake Plan, and was an active co-chair and member of the Environmental Committee.

Melissa studied Natural Resource Management at Guelph University and Ecosystem Management at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay. Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority employed her for 6 years directly after graduation, as a Water Quality Technician and Watershed Monitoring Supervisor. Liaising with other agencies, partners and lake stewards to promote and educate them on environmental practices is her passion. It is a beautiful thing when a career and passion come together.

Melissa lives and plays on Mississippi Lake with her husband and two boys, year-round. When not at home crafting, you will find her camping or paddling around in her kayak and always with a smile on her face.

Chloe Lajoie is an outdoor enthusiast who has been studying and practicing Environmental Stewardship since 2009. She attended Nipissing University and graduated with an Honours Degree in Environmental Biology and Technology. As part of her program, she also attended Canadore College and completed the Environmental Technician – Protection and Compliance Program. While completing her studies, Chloe was able to take part in the Undergraduate Research Conference in 2013, presenting her thesis on the effects of Forest Tent Caterpillar outbreaks on Trembling Aspen. In the past, she has worked at Ferguson Forest Centre and Lake Superior Provincial Park.

Chloe joined the team at Watersheds Canada in 2015 as a Stewardship Program Assistant and is now managing our Natural Edge Program, working with landowners to restore their shorelines. In her spare time, Chloe can be found having fun with family and friends, camping, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and trying out tasty new recipes!

Darlene Coyle is a passionate environmental enthusiast whose dream is to achieve the Convention on Biological Diversity’s vision for Living in Harmony with Nature. Her professional interests include wetlands, environmental policy, nature-based solutions, and equitable decision-making.

Darlene holds an Honours degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy from the University of Guelph where she learned the importance of law and policy in achieving positive change. However, it was while studying for her Master’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo that she learned to apply the principles of sustainability when analyzing environmental law and policy.

Darlene is also a Policy Project Coordinator with the Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network and an Associate Research Fellow at the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law. In her spare time, she can be found hiking, biking, training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and making wood burning art.

Christopher Dennison

Environmental Protection Intern

Raised in the heart of Thousand Islands National Park, Chris has devoted his professional and academic career to finding integrative solutions to issues of wildlife and freshwater conservation.

Chris holds both a BA (Political Science) and BSc. (Biology), and has previous experience in project management, environmental policy analysis, and ecological fieldwork. He has contributed to various conservation-related initiatives, including the Western Chorus Frog Long-Term Monitoring Project and the Landon Bay Nature Camp Program. While serving as Municipal Policy Intern with Watersheds Canada in 2021, he aided in the development of the Planning For Our Shorelands project and worked diligently to communicate the current need for sustainable, ecologically-sound shoreland land-use policy in Ontario.

Chris lives in the beautiful Thousand Islands and is excited about current and future initiatives that strengthen conservation efforts in the region and abroad.

Board of Directors

Watersheds Canada is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors:

Mary Ellen Stoll, Retired Manager, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Tom Whillans, Professor, Environmental and Resource Science/Studies at Trent University

Brett Painter, Physical Science Specialist, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Mary C. Rae, Senior Legal Counsel, Legal Services Department, City of Kingston

Kat Kavanagh, Executive Director, Water Rangers

Bridget Andrews, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds

Stephen Blight, Retired Vice President, Capital Lands and Parks, National Capital Commission