Faces of Ecospark

EcoSpark is made possible with the dedication of a passionate group of full and part-time staff as well as students and interns! Take some time to get to know the faces, new and old around EcoSpark this winter and spring.

Students and Interns

In recent years, EcoSpark has been helping support next generation of environmental leaders through high school co-op placements, as well as university and early-career internships. We support students in gaining experience working in the environmental field and engaging with educational institutions, while the students help us increase the reach of program delivery for participants.

Jared (he/him)

My name is Jared and I recently completed my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto, where I double majored in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Science.

My passion for biodiversity conservation and community engagement has led me to work on diverse research projects across Latin America and the Caribbean.

As an Environmental Outreach Intern at EcoSpark, I am excited to help connect communities with environmental science through the citizen science programs.

My favourite natural space is Tommy Thompson Park. Recently, I have been able to see opossums and many migratory birds. It is also a great spot to catch many insects during the summer time. 

Assouma

I’m Assouma - I’ve been a settler in Tkaronto for two years now, and I moved here from Beirut, Lebanon. I consider it a true privilege to be able to tackle environmental issues holistically. 

I’m pursuing a double major in Philosophy and Ethics, Society, & Law with a minor in Environmental Studies at UofT. Through my studies, I seek to establish a correlation between environmental apathy and violence vis-a-vis all that is other than oneself.

I would undoubtedly strongly advise anyone who passes by King’s Circle daily to allow themselves to “waste” or “spare” a moment of their day to just be. It is a space I frequent daily, yet when I allow for an instance of pause, I get to experience the peace it fosters amid all the chaos that is society, university, and life.

While it may be the most mundane of places, it has altered my entire relationship with time — or at least my understanding of it. It’s so humbling to just be: whatever expectations that are beyond me, which may be future me, I don’t have to strive to be when I am grounded in the present moment: in King’s Circle.

Rosa (she/her)

Hi! My name is Rosa, and I am a co-op student at A Y Jackson secondary school, and I am looking to pursue a career in the biological sciences.

I have been with EcoSpark since February 2025. I look forward to learning more about citizen science and helping others contribute to scientific data. I personally love gardening, walking around Toronto’s trails, and spending time with my three pet rats. 

The Rouge National Urban Park is my go to place in the fall when the leaves turn different colours. I absolutely love how immersed in nature it feels, despite being so close to the city.

Seeing the annual salmon migration in Rouge Park is also a highlight and definitely an amazing experience. 

Emily (She/Her)

My name is Emily, I’m in my final semester of my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Geographic Information Systems at UofT, and I am interested in pursuing a career in water infrastructure.

I’ve been working with EcoSpark since 2022. I am currently a Program Delivery Assistant, primarily supporting School Watch, Park Watch, and Corporate Volunteer Programs and I’m looking forward to helping participants get excited about citizen science outdoors this season! 

I love exploring the Don River Trails and Don Valley Brickworks in my spare time, it's an amazing place to connect with nature, observe wildlife and destress during downtime from studying.

The Saturday farmers market is my soft spot for finding a fun treat or a unique in-season vegetable to try.

Rachel (she/her)

My name is Rachel, and I am a grade 11 student from Milliken Mills high school. I am interested in a career related to scientific research, with environmental science being a potential field of study that I want to pursue.

This is my first time with EcoSpark as a Co-op student, and I am looking forward to working here.

My favourite natural space in the GTA would have to be Milliken District Park. It is the closest to me so I am able to walk to it whenever I want.

I have many memories from there as it was a place I regularly went to during my childhood, and it is overall relaxing to be there. The scenery is pleasing to look at and my favorite part would be admiring the ducks.

Retired Teachers

Recently, EcoSpark has welcomed retired teachers to our team. They have brought a wealth of knowledge, supporting with program delivery, content development and staff training.

David (he/him)

I taught secondary school in Pickering for 30 years, the last 20 of which I had the gift of EcoSpark involvement.  From Changing Currents, to WattWize, Sparking Science, the Greenbelt Youth Charter and serving on the EcoSpark Board for 8 years, my involvement has been exceptionally enriching, both personally and professionally. 

Now I am semi-retired, working each fall at the Boundless School in Palmer Rapids and its 600 acre classroom on the Madawaska River. This allows me the time to help EcoSpark deliver programs across the GTA as one member of their Gently Used Teacher team.

My favourite outdoor place in the GTA has to be the Bear Road Wetland in the Rouge.  Myself and my students played a small part helping Friends of the Rouge Watershed in creating this wetland, so it is personally a very meaningful place while being beautiful and so full of life.

Ellen (She/her)

My name is Ellen and I am a retired biology teacher. I have loved doing outdoor activities with EcoSpark, especially the bird surveys, tree id and stream studies programs, over the past two years.

I have been volunteering in my grandson's kindergarten and discovering more of Toronto's lovely walking trails since retiring.

My favourite Toronto outdoor space is the Rosetta McClain Gardens near the Scarborough Bluffs, well known in the birding community.

Ken (he, him)

Hi, my name is Ken and I am a retired Toronto elementary teacher and outdoor educator for the past 2 years. I am currently supporting various outdoor initiatives and education programs around the GTA, including some of the citizen science programs offered by EcoSpark. 

At the moment I am interested in the connecting green corridors from the Oakridge’s Moraine to around the Toronto area, such as, the new Uxbridge Provincial Park lands and the Rouge National Park. I continue to look forward to learning with youth and helping people connect to the outdoors in various contexts!

EcoSpark Staff and Board

Karen (she/her)

My name is Karen, I work as a bookkeeper and as a gardener in Toronto. I have two grown daughters, one of whom lives in Calgary, which is why my photo has such an amazing background. 

My work for EcoSpark is "behind the scenes", in the office, as the Financial and Office Administrator.

One of my gardening clients has a wonderful collection of plants, many of which are native to the area.  The plants were well established before I was hired to assist with the garden maintenance. 

My client has shared both her knowledge and her love for these plants, and I am grateful to be able to visit these plants and this space throughout the gardening season.

Paul (he/him)

I’m Paul and I’m the executive director at EcoSpark. I have the honor and privilege of working with a great team of dedicated staff, committed volunteers and school and corporate partners to bring experiential outdoor education programs to students, community groups and corporate volunteers.

We use citizen science to help people put the awe of nature back into our participant’s worlds! 

Having recently moved to Leslieville I’m excited to begin exploring Tommy Thompson park, and have just joined a new group of Toronto Nature Stewards to help support the ecological health of the Leslie Street Spit.

Dana (she/her)

My name is Dana, and I LOVE telling ecosystem stories. How does a tiny fluff-ball of chickadee feed on countless caterpillars, and how can we support their food chain in a changing climate? How do native plants on school grounds clean our drinking water? I am fascinated by the way species (including humans) come together in complex environmental relationships. I love to share these stories with others during our hands-on activities such as netting butterflies!

I have studied at Wesleyan University, Duke University, and with conservation organizations. After 6 years with EcoSpark, I still learn every day from leading the School Watch and Park Watch programs with youth and adults. I can't wait to see you soon outside!

Near home, we delight in taking our 5- and 8-year-old out to look at birds, bugs, and trees in Toronto's ravines. Cedarvale Ravine and the Spadina Gardens are two current favorite destinations to explore in all seasons.

Livia (she/her)

My name is Livia. I've always been passionate about the sciences and the natural world which led me to pursue a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Geology from Mumbai, India. My growing desire to work in the field of sustainability and conservation brought me to Canada to pursue the Master of Environment and Sustainability program at Western University.

I've been working with EcoSpark since 2021 and currently work as the Citizen Science Lead Educator at EcoSpark, leading students, schools, educators, volunteers and community groups in environmental monitoring workshops across Toronto and GTA through our various citizen science programs.

I love exploring Toronto's parks, ravines and greenspaces. Being an avid bird enthusiast, one of my favourite spots to visit in Toronto is Tommy Thompson Park. It's a great place to visit for a slice of urban wilderness, quiet seclusion and amazing city and lake views. I also love frequenting the woods next to my home which are always teeming with wildlife year-round.

Donna (she/ her)

My name is Donna and for the last seven years it has been my privilege to be the Chair of the Board of Directors for EcoSpark. I appreciate the work of all the staff, board members and volunteers as EcoSpark makes a huge difference to students and community members.

I have been a Teacher and Principal with TDSB and have enjoyed my time working in outdoor education and supporting others to learn in nature. Presently I work with the Toronto Nature Stewards and as a Guided Walk Leader with the Rouge National Urban Park.  I really enjoy our team of nature stewards that do the Caterpillars Count at Middle Mill in the Don Valley. Being in nature is one of my favourite places to be and supports my mental health and keeps me learning.  

I hope to see you on the trails as you get out and learn about nature and your local environments.