Personal summary:
Nathalie attributes her lifelong interest in nature and ecology to growing up on the slopes of Christmas Hill and picking blackberries under the giant Garry Oaks in the Lily St. field in Saanich.
Nathalie and her family live, farm and act as stewards of the 27 acre Madrona Farm, where they cultivate a variety of 106 agro-ecologically grown vegetables 12 months a year and serving nearly 4000 customers.
Nathalie was inspired by the collective works of former District of Saanich Councils, the Saanich Greenbelt Association and former exemplary residents whose actions have led to our current parks and protected areas.
In 2010, when 3500 people in Saanich/CRD raised $2.7 million dollars to Protect Madrona Farm forever with the TLC of BC it proved to Nathalie without a doubt that when people work together they can move mountains. She believes that a small local committee of a municipality can change the world.
Career experience:
Land Conservancy of British Columbia
Agricultural Program Coordinator: Worked with 90 exemplary farmers in the Conservation Partners Program (a landowner incentive program)
Native Pollinator Outreach educator
Assistant Major Gifts Officer
Raincoast Conservation Foundation-Major Gift Fundraiser
Author at Rocky Mountain Publishers Saving Farmland: the Fight for Real Food
Saanich Council appointments (current):
Past Chair, Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee – 2020
Chair, Art, Heritage and Culture
Liaison, Te’mexw Treaty Advisory Committee – 2019
Capital Regional District appointments (current):
Director, Regional Water Supply Commission
Previous appointments:
Liaison, Peninsula & Area Agricultural Commission – 2019
Past Chair, Saanich Arts and Heritage Committee – 2018
Chair, Arts, Heritage and Culture
Credentials/education:
Diploma in Restoration Ecology from the University of Victoria
Diploma in Conservation Finance from Yale University
Permaculture Design Certificate
Community and volunteers services:
Founder of the Chef Survival Challenge Event
Founding member of the Blenkinsop Valley Community Association (2006-2018)
Founding Member of the Social Environmental Alliance (SEA)
Girl Guide Leaders of Canada (Bay to Bay-Sparks: Sunflower)
Awards:
Saanich Environmental Awards – ‘Sustainability’ – Nathalie and David Chambers -2017
TLC Conservation Award 2010
Golden Carrot Award 2012
Thanks from the community:</h2)>
