Expert Panel Discussion: "Fire, Water, Weeds and Everything in Between"
Panel Speakers:
- Nelson Jatel, OBWB
- Chris Zabek, Ministry of Agriculture
- David Ensign, Agriculture and Agrifood Canada
- Jennifer Morrison, PAg
Speaker Bios:
Nelson Jatel, PhD, P,Ag. - Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB)
As a seasoned water governance professional with 16 years as Water Stewardship Director at the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Nelson specializes in water management and social network analysis, focusing on practical, science-based solutions and community engagement. His background includes a BSc in Freshwater Science, an MA in Economics, Decision Theory, and Governance, and a Doctorate in Social Science, complemented by a Local Government Management Diploma. A registered professional agrologist, Nelson serves on several boards, is a lecturer in water management at UBC Okanagan, has taught applied water law at Okanagan College and founded Limnology Research Corp (2001), providing social network analysis to clients globally. Beyond work, Nelson enjoys outdoor activities including boating, being a professional fishing guide on Okanagan Lake and spending time at their family vineyard in Naramata.
Jennifer Morrison, P.Ag. - Salish Fire Keepers Society
Jennifer is honoured to be presenting on Syilx homelands, and gives thanks to the matriarchs of the Syilx Nation for their leadership in so many aspects of our lives, and thanks to the tmixw for providing nourishment of her body and spirit. Jennifer is a P.Ag. who has worked in the field of forestry and fuel management for most of her career. She started out researching huckleberries for Simpcw Traditional Use Studies back in the 90s, and cultural burning is linked very closely to their management. She has worked over the years at UBC's Faculty of Forestry, and with Secwepemc and Nlaka'pamux organizations and governments. She has also been participating in cultural burning, alongside her husband Harry Spahan, for over 25 years. She is honoured and grateful for being part of the formation of the Salish Fire Keepers Society, a society that brings awareness to communities, advocates for indigenous-led stewardship to support First Nations self-governance, and educates the public about the benefits of cultural burning.
David Ensing, PhD - Agriculture and Agrifood Canada (AAFC)
Dr. Ensing is a Research Scientist in Vegetation Ecology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Summerland, BC, Canada. His research interests centre on explaining why species occur where they do, and not where they don’t. His research programme at AAFC includes weed biological control, Indigenous food security and sovereignty, rangeland ecology, and vegetation management in managed and unmanaged agro-ecosystems.
Chris Zabek, P.Ag., Ministry of Agriculture
Chris is a Regional Agrologist with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He’s been with the Ministry since 2000. His work includes collaborating with various agencies to incorporate agricultural perspectives into land use planning efforts, providing agricultural information to both farmers and the non-farming public and supporting provincial program development and delivery.