Kirsten Dallimore

Learning and teaching about how to connect deeper with nature and gain a sense of place on this earth based on Traditional Ecological knowledge is my passion. My experience and excitement for the environment and the outdoors began as a child on adventuresome camping trips across Canada and the United States with my family. I grew up traveling and exploring various National and Provincial Parks in North America. This is what inspired me to want to learn more about the natural world and gain a sense of belonging amongst the trees in the forest and water in the rivers, lakes, and ocean. I grew up in Southern Ontario and one of my favorite places to spend the day is on the Niagara Escarpment. I love hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and swimming. Exploring nature and teaching how to appreciate and have an experience in the natural world is what I do best.

My degrees are in Environmental Studies through Laurier University and Primary/Junior Education at Nipissing University. In addition, I have a Certificate in Ecological Education through the University of Saskatchewan. My career in Environmental and First Nations’ education began in 2003 as a Park Interpreter at Crawford Lake and Mountsberg Conservation Areas located on the Niagara Escarpment. Within the past couple of years I have spent time teaching science programs in various Aboriginal communities across Eastern Canada for an organization called Elephant Thoughts. I spent a summer on the beautiful Sunshine Coast working at Camp Sunrise as their Assistant Recreation Director. Most recently I was up north in a remote Cree community located on James Bay in Quebec as a full-time grade 1 teacher.

I am excited and happy to be living in Victoria (dreams really do come true) as the new Environmental Educator for the Sierra Club of BC. I am looking forward to being part of a team that will enable me to share my expertise and passion for First Nations’ traditional knowledge, ecologically sustainable ecosystems, environmental concerns and environmental education. Making a connection to the land and sharing knowledge and experiences here on Vancouver Island is one of my main goals!