Executive Board

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Laura Messett has been on the SCTWS executive for 5 years, in various positions including President for 2025, Communications Coordinator for 2 years and Member at Large for 3 years. She has organized and led events such as songbird bird banding at Last Mountain Bird Observatory, Saw‐whet owl banding outside Saskatoon, and Snake School in Medicine Hat with Snakes on a Plain. She is a wildlife biologist and has been a Permits Officer with the Canadian Wildlife Society for 3 years and has worked from Northern BC to southern Manitoba in environmental consulting. She has a B.Sc. in Biology with concentrations in Environment and Ecology from the University of Regina and a diploma in Integrated Resource Management from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. She is a birder, loves dogs, camping, fishing, travel, and wildlife photography.

Katelyn is a Senior Avian Ecologist who manages the largest population of Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan. She has been working in the wildlife field for over a decade, and has experience in the public, private and non-governmental sectors. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Biology and Conservation at the University of Guelph, and then moved west and completed her Masters of Science in Biology at the University of Saskatchewan. Katelyn joined the SCTWS exec committee in 2025 as a member-at-large, and helped with the fall meet up at Last Mountain Lake, and led a Saw-whet Owl banding trip, as well as the fall Whooping Crane trip. She's looking forward to staying on in 2026 as Vice President.

Hanna has been a proud Saskatchewanian her whole life. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Bioscience and a Master of Science in Environmental Toxicology, both from the University of Saskatchewan. Hanna works full time as a biologist in Saskatoon and teaches a wildlife conflict course at Lakeland College. Additionally, Hanna currently works as a nature interpreter at Beaver Creek Conservation Area, where she enjoys educating the public on all things nature and fostering curiosity in the next generation of naturalists. She is passionate about improving science-based wildlife management in Saskatchewan, educating the public, and learning more about how wildlife is managed in our beautiful province. 

Sabine earned a B.Sc. in Animal Bioscience from the University of Saskatchewan and jumped right into the world of wildlife health after graduation. She has been a wildlife biologist with the Western/Northern regional centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) for three years and has since become the lab coordinator. Sabine has been interested in wildlife and conservation since she was young and has joined the Bird Friendly Saskatoon team as a program coordinator. Her interests and hobbies include hiking, birdwatching, nature photography, and various arts and crafts.

 Erin Moffatt is a Wildlife Health Biologist who first fell in love with wildlife health more than 20 years ago, shortly after graduating with a BSc from the University of Saskatchewan. What began as a seasonal job collecting chronic wasting disease (CWD) samples from deer heads grew into a master’s project studying mule deer movements and CWD spread along the South Saskatchewan River valley, followed by almost ten years working with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. Currently, Erin works with the Ministry of Environment where she focuses on CWD surveillance in wild cervids while also addressing a wide range of wildlife diseases and health issues. She’s passionate about wildlife health and loves that this career path keeps her constantly learning. When she’s not working, Erin can be found on her acreage outside of Saskatoon—cross‑country skiing in the winter and looking for birds and native plants in the summer. She enjoys reading, crafting and gardening, and sharing those hobbies with her three daughters. 

Angela has worked and volunteered in several roles focused on birds and wildlife, including serving as a bird bander with Nature Saskatchewan, working with Salthaven West Wildlife Rehabilitation, and sitting on the Bird Friendly Regina committee. She has built a decade-long career in nonprofit communications, using her experience in outreach and public education to support her conservation and community engagement work. Angela is committed to sharing practical education about wildlife conservation and helping communities better understand, respect, and value the wildlife and nature that surrounds us.

Tori is a passionate naturalist with a particular interest in birds. She completed her B.Sc. in Environmental Science at the University of Saskatchewan, and is currently conducting Master’s research on the impact of forestry practices on boreal birds in conjunction with the University of Saskatchewan and Environment and Climate Change Canada. In addition to her academic experience, Tori has gained valuable professional experience working as a technician for Parks Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service.

April is currently a MSc. student at the University of Regina, researching how bats and their insect prey react to the construction of a solar facility. Prior to her MSc. April spent several years working as the Fieldwork Coordinator at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, where she spent many days submerged in wetlands looking for turtles! April is always interested in learning about conservation initiatives and neat facts about flora and fauna, she has been especially enjoying learning about the critters that live in Saskatchewan. April loves the natural world, and enjoys spending her time outside stopping to look at moss, lichens and insects along the way. She also enjoys reading, cross stitching, and spending time with her cats, Polliwog and Autumn.

Jim Bahr is a Wildlife Instructor in the Natural Resource Technology Programs at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. He advises and counsels students, develops wildlife-based curriculum and delivers lectures, field exercises and field camps in wildlife ecology and identification, wildlife forensics, field techniques, habitat assessment, animal awareness and winter survival. Jim has also worked in the past as an environmental consultant in southern California and continues to do consulting work in western Canada. Jim’s experience conducting field work for wildlife extends from the deserts, prairies and coastal habitats of the western USA, to the mountains, prairies, forests and tundra of western Canada and the arctic. Jim has been involved in the past three years helping to organize SCTWS conferences and workshops.

Michelle Foley is a passionate and charismatic individual with an affinity for the outdoors. Michelle was born and raised in Saskatchewan and pursued wildlife science through her education, earning a diploma in Integrated Resource Management from SaskPolyTech and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Regina. Michelle has worked for non-profit organizations, environmental consulting, and the federal and provincial governments for the past 14 years. In the past, Michelle has served as a member-at-large and president of the Saskatchewan Chapter of The Wildlife Society and is excited to engage with environmental professionals and students and help host a variety of fun and professional development events.

Kassidy is currently a Forest Ecosystem Protection Technician with the Ministry of Environment Forest Service Branch. She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.S.A in Environmental Science with a Certificate in Sustainability. In her free time, she loves to camp, hike, fish, and do any craft she can, currently she is obsessed with pottery. Kassidy’s favorite tree species is a Black Spruce, specifically the scraggly ones growing in a bog. Her favorite bird species is a Sandhill Crane, from their plumage to their silly little dances she could watch them forever.

Ben is currently pursuing a BSc in Environmental Biology from the University of Saskatchewan. He is very active in the UofS Biology Club, coordinating events and building community among students. As for research, Ben recently completed a project using data from the previous field season, investigating the link between structural complexity of abandoned farm buildings and the species richness of wildlife using these buildings. Ben treasures the outdoors and has an appreciation for everything big and small. He enjoys biking, cooking and connecting with other nature nerds. This is his first year with the wildlife society and he is excited to get involved with the wildlife community. Ben loves the sweet smell of Prairie Sage, and the sounds of dawn chorus on a crisp misty morning.