Briony Penn is best known for her award winning illustrated Wild Side columns in various regional publications and hosting the TV magazine show Enviro/Mental for three years with CHUM TV, nominated one of the top three magazine shows in Canada.

A geographer from Saltspring Island, she has lived most of her life on the shores of the Salish Sea. She has operated a consulting business for environmental education and museum design since 1986 in Scotland and BC.

She is an adjunct professor and has lectured in the School of Environmental Studies and Restoration of Natural Systems Program of the University of Victoria for over 15 years.

An award-winning natural history columnist and feature writer, from Canadian Geographic to Explore magazines, and a BC Books bestseller with her book A Year On the Wild Side, she combines punchy media skills with her research affiliations at UVic.

A pioneer of barefoot mapping, she has created maps and led workshops assisting communities to map their cherished places for over a decade, culminating in several books including Islands in the Salish Sea: A Community Atlas, nominated for the BC Book Awards.

As an activist, Briony has worked extensively with both local groups and provincial organizations such as The Land Conservancy of BC (TLC), which she co-founded in 1997, and Raincoast Conservation Foundation. TLC has won many awards for its pioneering work to establish models of land use that integrate cultural and ecological values and Raincoast has established an international reputation for combining research and advocacy for the temperate rainforest.

Briony is the mother of two boys and lives on Saltspring Island.

She is currently the federal Liberal candidate for Saanich and the Gulf Islands (see www.briony.ca).




BRIONY E.H. PENN, PH.D.
119 Clarinda Road
Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 1W7
Phone number (250) 653-9996
Cell (250) 361-6328
Email: penn@saltspring.com

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

  • Innovative teacher devoted to interdisciplinary learning and community outreach in geography, environmental studies, ecological restoration and natural history.
  • Award-winning broadcaster, columnist and media specialist in environmental education and issues.
  • Award-winning author, artist, cartographer and videographer in environmental education.
  • Popular workshop leader in community mapping, media, and natural history
  • Founding Director of The Land Conservancy of BC, leaders in developing grassroots conservation models.
  • Leader in collaborative community museum design and implementation in both Europe and British Columbia.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy in Geography, Edinburgh University, Geography Department, 1988

DISSERTATION: Recreational Access to Land in Scotland and British Columbia: A Comparative Analysis

A broad interdisciplinary study that examined the legal, ecological, cultural and social relationships of recreation and conservation, as developing land uses, with traditional economic land uses.

Bachelor of Arts in Geography, University of British Columbia, 1982?. Minors in Anthropology and Visual Arts. Additional coursework with Trent University in Archaeology, Field School in Belize, 1980.

Summer Visual Arts Diploma, Banff School of Fine Arts, 1977.

International Baccalaureate, Victoria, BC. 1977.

EDUCATOR - UNIVERSITY

Adjunct Professor, University of Victoria, School of Environmental Studies, 2006-

Limited Term Assistant Professor, University of Victoria, School of Environmental Studies, 2004-2005.

  • Team developed and taught introductory course on the Ecology and Cultural History of Food with Drs. Nancy Turner, E. Higgs and J. Volpe to four hundred students, using innovative technology and integrating field studies on campus.
  • Developed and taught a new fourth year course on Ecological Literacy with a strong field element.
  • Developed and taught a new field school on Restoration Projects with strong participatory element of community groups.

Sessional Lecturer, University of Victoria. Geography Department, School of Environmental Studies, Restoration of Natural Systems Program. 1991-2004.

  • Developed and taught a new intensive course on Public Education, Communication and Dispute Resolution in Restoration Ecology
  • Developed and taught a new course on Environmental Aesthetics
  • Taught Protected Areas Planning
  • Taught Biodiversity and Forestry Issues

Undergraduate Research Advisor and Supervisor, University of Victoria.

  • Supervisor for Directed Field Studies students for biophysical inventories, site monitoring and landowner contact in Cariboo/Chilcotin, Kootenays, Central Coast in conjunction with The Land Conservancy of British Columbia and Friends of Ecological Reserves.
  • Supervisor of UVic ES student biophysical inventories, Clayoquot Biosphere Reserve, in collaboration with the community Clayoquot Biosphere Project, 1991-3.

Graduate Advisor, Royal Roads College, Masters Program in Environmental Education.

  • Links between ecological literacy and traditional ecological knowledge
  • Effectiveness of barefoot mapping as a tool for increasing sense of place in children.

Research Assistant, University of Victoria, Geography Department. 1981. University of British Columbia, Geography Department. 1982

  • Public attitudes to risk of Eurasian water milfoil and 2-4D.

EDUCATOR - COMMUNITY

Natural/cultural history and stewardship workshops, lectures and field schools held in communities all over British Columbia since 1991.

  • Selected field schools include Qqs Science and Culture Camps, Heiltsuk First Nations; LIFE Vision Quest; Wetlands Institute, BC Wildlife Federation; Gulf Island Centre for Environmental Learning: Hollyhock Institute
  • Selected keynotes and panels include Parks Canada; Environment Canada; World Peace Forum; Department of Fisheries and Oceans; Interpretation Canada; Canadian Landscape Architects Congress; North American Association for Environmental Education; BC Wildlife Federation; International Association for Arborists; International Society for Ecological Restoration; British Columbia Environmental Network; Stewardship and Conservation in Canada: Caring for our Land and Water; Helping the Land Heal: Ecological Restoration in British Columbia; Periodical Writers of Canada; B.C. Historical Association;
  • Selected workshops include North American Association for Environmental Education; Society for Range Management; Land Trust Alliance for British Columbia; Royal Roads Continuing Education; Elder Hostel;
  • Lectures given to local naturalist organizations, schools, service clubs and land trusts throughout Canada and northwest US.

Naturalist on BC Coast for the following ecotour/educational operators since 1980:

  • Pacific Synergies (international); Maple Leaf Adventures (coast of BC and Alaska); Adventure Canada; Gulf Islands Experience (Gulf Islands), Cross Canada Tours (Canada), LIFEBoat Flotilla, Elderhostel, Alkai Tours (US).

COMMUNITY CARTOGRAPHER

  • Pioneered the barefoot mapping concept and conducted community and ecosystem mapping workshops all over BC, in western USA and Ontario since 1996.
  • Giving the Land a Voice: Mapping our Home Places, Editor Sheila Harrington. Writing, illustration and graphic design. Client Environment Canada and Saltspring Community Services. 1996. Second edition 1999. Featured in television series and book called The Ways We Live: Exploring Community by Asterisk Productions.
  • Salish Sea Atlas Project a five-year community project involving hundreds of artists, mappers, community groups and First Nations from 16 islands. Project culminated with a 40-map travelling exhibit and atlas Islands of the Salish Sea: A Community Atlas which was released October, 2005. Project awarded Islands Trust Stewardship Award 2004. Atlas nominated Best Regional Book in BC Book Awards 2006.

COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA

  • Television broadcaster and host of Enviro/Mental, a weekly news magazine show on natural/cultural history of coast, environmental issues and sustainability initiatives for CIVI, Victoria (CHUM television) August 2001 - 2004. Hosted, taped, field produced and edited many of the 137 shows that ranged in topics from the natural death movement to humpback whale research and interviews with such diverse personalities as philospher John Ralston Saul, Haida chief Guujaaw and author Tom Robbins. See below for selected segments. Nominated one of the top three magazine shows in Canada by Canadian Association of Broadcasters. Received the Canadian Environment Award for Environmental Education 2003, Canadian Geographic.
  • Newspaper and magazine columnist with illustrations on natural/cultural history with over 400 columns published in regional newspapers and magazines, including: "Wild Side" for Monday Magazine, Victoria since 1991 and North Island Weekender since 1999; "Natural Relations" for Focus Magazine since 2001; "Notes from Wrangellia" for Driftwood Newspaper, Gulf Islands, 1997- 1999. Western Magazine Award for Best Columnist and Feature Writer in Western Canada, 2001. Nominated for best North American columnist in alternative weeklies.
  • Other selected publications include: Canadian Geographic, Explore Magazine, Beautiful British Columbia, Alternatives, BC Outdoors, Orion Magazine, Globe and Mail and Borealis.
  • Non-fiction book A Year on the Wild Side, published by Horsdal & Schubart. October 1999. BC Bestseller List for 6 weeks.
  • Children's non-fiction book. Kidscan Book of Canadian Geography. Written and illustrated. Published by Kidscan Books. Going to press, Autumn 2008.
  • Featured in nature writing anthology Northern Wild: Best Contemporary Canadian Nature Writing, Greystone Publishers, edited by David Boyd.
  • Featured in four broadcast documentaries: Ah! The Money the Money the Money; Ways We Live: Exploring Community; Finding the Future and Naked.
  • Develop media campaign for Land Trust Alliance of BC, including interviewing, taping and editing 12 PSAs and booklet on conservation leaders throughout BC, 2006-2007.
  • Currently writing For the Love of Nature: 101 Solutions to the Restoration of Biodiversity with Guy Dauncey, published by New Society Publishers. 2008 Release. www.earthfuture.com/solutionsproject/solutionsproject.asp

PUBLICATIONS - PUBLIC EDUCATION

  • Cycle of Life-Recycle: Handbook for Educators. Writing for elementary teacher's handbook with others. Client ART, Encorp and Parks Canada. 2004.
  • Salish Sea Teacher's Handbook. Writing, song writing and illustrating elementary teacher's handbook on natural and cultural history of Georgia Basin region to accompany CD with Holly Arntzen, Gloria Snively and Abner Thorne (Cowichan). Client Parks Canada and Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans. Published May, 2001.
  • Focus on Forests: A British Columbia Exploration. Educational resource guide for elementary teachers on forest ecosystems with special emphasis on distinct natural history of forest regions. Development of strategic plan, research, writing and illustration in conjunction with Educational Design International. Client Ministry of Forests. Published 2000.
  • Responsible Wildlife Viewing, Natural Agents of Change in B.C. Parks: Insects, Fire, Wind and Floods. Writing and illustration for illustrated brochures and outreach program on various management issues in BC Parks. Client BC Parks. Published 2000.
  • Canada's Rainforest: Maps to Murrelets. Writing and illustration. Educational resource guide for high school teachers on forest ecosystems and mapping. Client Sierra Club. 1999
  • Stewardship Options: A Guide for Private Landowners in British Coumbia. Writing and illustrating. Client Wildlife Habitat Canada and Ministry of Environment. 1997.
  • Backyard Biodiversity and Beyond: Elementary Teacher's Guide to Biodiversity in British Columbia. Co-authored. Research, design illustration and production of teach resource based on ecoregions of BC. Client joint committee of Parks Canada, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Forests. Published 1994. French version 1995.
  • Initiatives for the Conservation of Biodiversity. Inter-ministerial document released for the Montreal IUCN Convention. Client Province of British Columbia. October, 1996
  • Marbled Murrelet Resource Inventory Workbook, Terrestrial Salamander Resource Inventory Workbook, Recreation Resource Inventory Workbook, Archaeological Inventory Workbook and Training for First Nation Technicians, Wildlife Habitat Inventory Workbook., Bat Resource Inventory Workbook Text and illustrations and curriculum development for field technician training programs. Client the BC Resource Inventory Committee, partnered with Open Learning Agency and subject area experts. 1995-2001.

MUSEUM DESIGN

  • Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Heritage Canada. Design, contract and implementation of Phase 2. Client Parks Canada/Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society. April 1999.
  • Cowichan Lake Research Station Interpretation Kiosk. Design of kiosk, graphic panels, illustration and writing on current and future research trends with emphasis on ecosystem management. Ministry of Forests. Opened March, 1997.
  • Long Beach Model Forest Interpretive Centre. Planning, theme development, mural illustration and design in conjunction with Raincoast Communications. Client Long Beach Model Forest Committee. Opened 1996.
  • Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve Queen Charlotte City, Visitor Reception Centre (VRC). Design, writing, research, graphic design, illustration, contract administration and implementation of VRC for joint Parks Canada/Council of Haida Nations management team, utilizing 45 craftspeople on the islands. Opened March 1996.
  • Robert's Bay National Bird Sanctuary Interpretive Display. Writing, design, illustration and implementation. Clients City of Sidney, Citizens Committee for Conservation. 1994-95.
  • St. Roch National Historic Site, theme development, writing, planning and design of exhibition for the St. Roch. Client Parks Canada. 1994.
  • Baffin Island Kuujuaq Territorial Park interpretive plan and facility design. Client PRP Inc. 1991.

ECOSYSTEM INVENTORIES

  • Working collaboratively with a interdisciplinary team on a socio-economic, ecological baseline study, synthesis and public outreach package for the proposed Southern Gulf Island Marine Protected Area, Parks Canada, 2006-2007.
  • Developed the first prototype of Ecosystem-Based Management Plan for BC Parks; biophysical inventory including Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Helliwell Provincial Park in conjunction with Ecofocus and Jacqueline Booth Associates. Client BC Parks. April, 2001
  • Research and inventory of special features of the Islands Trust area; compiled GIS database of features including sensitive ecosystems in association with Jacqueline Booth Associates, Islands Trust Fund 1995.
  • Pilot and Phase 1 of Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory in the Capital Region District for the Conservation Data Centre. 1994

ARTWORK & EXHIBITS

  • Islands of the Salish Sea exhibit, 16 venues
  • Brant Festival Wildlife Art Show, Qualicum Beach
  • Goldsteam Art in the Park Show, Victoria
  • Wild Bird Trust Heronry Show, Saltspring
  • Sea-to-Sea Greenbelt Show, Victoria
  • Mapping Cherished Places Exhibit, Southern Gulf Islands
  • Fairbanks Society Retrospective, Victoria
  • American Association of Botanical Gardens, Vancouver

SELECTED TV SEGMENTS

  • Luna: Tsukeet: The politics behind the not so lonely whale,
  • Hot, Dry and Bothered: Climate change and its impacts on BC.
  • Tom Robbins and Frogs in Pyjamas: The environmental pen of this Pacific northwest writer
  • Humpbacks Return: The return of the humpback whales to BC waters.
  • Wild Horse Race: The bid to save the wild horses of Nemiah and the wild horse race.
  • Salish Sea Sagas: Following researchers of species-at-risk around the Salish Sea during a week-long voyage.
  • Taiwan Turns: The changes in environmental policy in Taiwan.
  • Evolutionary Origins of Consumerism: A review of the latest research into consumerism.
  • Green Burials: The trend to de-corporatise the death care industry in Britain and its movement into BC.
  • Philosopher Eco-King: John Ralston Saul: the philosophical shift of environmentalism into politics.
  • Sumptuous Seaweeds: The growth of seaweed as a food and seaweed item in BC.
  • Unnatural Law: A review of David Boyd's book on the state of environmental law in Canada.
  • A Lousy Story: Fish Farms in BC: The story of research by Alex Morton into the sea lice infestation from fish farms of BC's wild salmon.
  • Oil and Water: A story of the reaction of the coastal communities of Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert to oil and gas development.
  • Blessing of the Orcas: The arrival of an unusual symbolic pod of whales during the signing of a historic agreement between First Nations and government.
  • Bed ZED: The international award-winning sustainable community in London.
  • Saltspring Fights Back: The sequel to the protests of Saltspring Islanders to save their watersheds.
  • GSX: The proposed gas pipeline for Vancouver Island on trial.
  • Kind Coffee: The rise of eco-friendly, fair-trade coffee distributors in Vancouver Island and the benefits to Central American communities.
  • Jumbo Sale: The fight of Kootenay communities to stop a ski mega-resort.
  • The Last of the Mountain Caribou: The plight of the endangered mountain caribou in interior BC and local efforts to save them.
  • Mother Nature's Revenge: The effect of toxins in feminizing humans and other animals through endocrine disrupters.
  • Bears of Bute: The growth of grizzly-bear watching as an economic replacement to the grizzly hunt.
  • Dr. Ian: A profile of the pioneer of natural history television on CBC Dr. Ian McTaggart Cowan with interviews by his student David Suzuki.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Community mapping
  • Ecological literacy
  • Private land stewardship
  • Integration of environmental education into mainstream culture.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

  • Director for Friends of Ecological Reserves, 1991-2001.
  • Founding member of the B.C. Grasslands Council, 1995.
  • Co-founder of the Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society, 1991- .
  • Founding board member of The Land Conservancy of British Columbia since 1997. As voluntary board member, work includes developing a gap analysis of key properties within endangered ecosystems to be protected; developing the groundwork and research for a marketing campaign to provide incentives for farmers who protect natural grasslands and wetlands. This work is continuing as a model for international application with UNDP; working on community mapping workshops in 30 different communities.
  • Director of Raincoast Conservation Foundation since 1999. As a voluntary board member, my work has included identifying key lands on the coast for acquisition for the their cultural and ecological values, working on the covenanting and return of lands to Heiltsuk territory, helping with the education of Heiltsuk youth every summer at the science and culture camp on scientific research and ecotourism skills and setting up the coastal Sandhill Crane project.
  • Member of the provincial working group on private land stewardship, Stewardship Pledge, 1995-6.
  • Co-Chair of the Environment Advisory Committee, Islands Trust Saltspring Island Local Trust Committee.
  • Briony is currently the federal Liberal candidate for Saanich and the Gulf Islands (see www.briony.ca