Introducing Wendy Tyrrell, ITC Acting Manager
Meet Wendy Tyrrell, our new Acting Manager for Islands Trust Conservancy. When asked to describe herself in three words, Wendy shared that she is adventurous, detail-oriented, and relaxed.
Over the course of her 23-year career in conservation, Wendy has worked for a variety of land trusts leading species at risk projects, field work, and monitoring. After a lengthy career in film in California, Wendy became fascinated by plants and species through a friend. “The plants just kept calling me.” So, she returned to school in the central coast of California, studying ecology and systematic biology where her fascination with plants and species deepened through week-long field visits to study botany, mammalogy, ornithology, and marine biology.
Wendy first joined Islands Trust Conservancy from 2021 to 2023 as the Species at Risk Program Coordinator. She is excited to be back working collaboratively with the Islands Trust Conservancy team in time to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the organization and help support staff in moving projects forward. “We need community in conservation because conservation takes everybody. We’re all involved in caring for the islands we love. Collaboration is super important.”
One of her favourite memories with Islands Trust Conservancy during her time as Species at Risk Program Coordinator was on a trip to Link Island. “We were joined by our incredible biologists, some staff members, covenant holders, and partners from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Everyone was climbing ladders, pounding nails, and installing nest boxes. It was neat to see a community of people who care coming together like that.”
When asked which island in the Islands Trust Area is her favourite, Wendy shared an island that she hasn’t been to yet, but would love to visit one day soon – Lasqueti Island. One of her favourite ways to spend time in the islands in the Salish Sea is by kayak, particularly around Little D’Arcy Island. In her spare time, you can also find Wendy playing pickleball, dancing, gardening, and spending time with her son, dog, and cat.
“My passion is connecting people to the land. I believe that people will care about the land if they know the land. That’s what we need, more people to feel that they’re a part of the land which fosters a responsibility to protect and care for it.”