Nina was born in Victoria B.C. on a bright sunny afternoon. She was happy to be alive and continues to be this way. Most recently Nina was living in the interior of B.C. living at a yoga study and retreat centre and finishing high school. Although Nina grew up building forts and playing in the forest she didn’t really develop her ecological bend until she had been a garden manager for seven months. Managing a large community garden reminded Nina that she loved being outside and that preserving some degree of harmony between homosapiens and earth was going to be a huge part of her life.  Her future plans involve everything from becoming a film making high profile business woman to gardens, pottery, and wizardry. 
 

Wes is currently completing his high school education while working at Veins of Life. He became involved with Veins of Life at the age of ten when he and his father founded the society. Wes is also a board member on the Victoria Wooden Boat association. Ever since that time Wes has become a permanent fixture at the society, both as a volunteer and now as an E-Team member. Wes' most valuable experiences and training at Veins of Life include first aid, fish weir construction, and PR work in general. His most memorable day with VOLWS was fish tagging at Goldstream hatchery, black berry bashing at the HCP and watching Clara and Nina laugh there heads off. One day Wesley hopes to be a lifeguard and/or a chef.
 

Sonja is currently busy creating her niche on Southern Vancouver Island. If you can't find her supervising crazy E-Team crews in the backcountry, you can track her down on her mountain bike in the Highlands or at the beach with her dogs. Sonja is searching for inspiration and insight to finish landscaping her yard, and would appreciate any help. She hopes Nina does not have any serious first aid injuries while on this crew, and is looking forward to getting to know these five brilliant youths over the next contract.
 

Cordeiro Ferreira was raised on a farm nestled in the hills and swamps of Northwestern Ontario. Working in a number of labour fields including logging, bee keeping, and carpentry, Cordeiro finally settled into a seasonal job as a park ranger in a small provincial park. Living in a number of cities in Ontario did little to alleviate his sense of stagnation and alienation. The call of the west sounded loud and clear to Cordeiro who had dodged the yoke of responsibility enabling him to pack his bags and head out without any loose ends. Vancouver Island being as west as you can get in this fine country and Victoria being a haven for lost souls, Cordeiro was home. After a few stints of unemployment, during which he engaged in his informal education, Cordeiro, landed a job with the Veins of Life Watershed Society. He is hoping to use this job and this island as a stepping stone into the world, seen and unseen, where he hopes to travel paths of growth and learning (and have a good time doing it).
 

In recent conversations, I’ve noticed that one topic rears its head more often than any other, that of man’s relationship with the Earth.  Once a friend dropped a comment with alarming deadpan insight that has stuck in my head ever since, “Why don’t we just pave the planet and get it over with.”  Of course this comment was laced with cynicism and such a reality is far from being the present one, but it made me wonder what direction we are heading as a species.  I think it is not difficult to become aware of the what’s and why’s  that contribute to our dysfunctional harmony with the Earth, it takes the smallest of effort, only to open our eyes and take a good look around.  I don’t want what is green to turn to grey, and so this is why I am here. 
 

Clara grew up in northern B.C. but has been travelling around Canada for the past few years.  She completed her BSc in Biology at Acadia University in Nova Scotia and was happy to be finished school.   Clara loves spending time outdoors particularly on the open ocean or high up in the mountains.   She likes reading, singing and thinking about life around her.  She also spends lots of time drawing and writing about whatever might be on her mind.  Clara is not sure what she will do next but for the moment feels content with where she is.   She has some long-term ideas about working in ecological conservation and tourism, her ideal being work as a mountain guide/wildlife conservationist somewhere in beautiful British Columbia.