Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee
Worth Wading Into
Our Staff
Project Manager
Ben Whalen
Ben Whalen started working with the KWRC in 1995 as a Habitat Technician and worked here for three summers after he received his diploma in Environmental Technology at NBCC Miramichi. After pursuing various contracts and other opportunities in his field, he returned to the KWRC as Project Manager in 2007.
Ben loves the fact that he can work in his field and make a positive difference here in his home town. Ben and his wife, Michelle, raise their two children, and attempt a garden, while living in Sussex. Ben also loves to reap the rewards of his work as an avid angler and can often be found wading down local streams casting a line as often as he can be found measuring their depths and widths.
His familiarity and passion for the Kennebecasis watershed has proven to be an asset for the KWRC and he wants to continue to improve the watershed while also improving local communities.
Restoration Coordinator
Annie McMullon
Annie graduated from the Aquatic Health and Resource Management program at St.FX in 2023. She grew up in Rothesay and spent many years kayaking, swimming, and exploring the Kennebecasis River. Annie started working for the KWRC in the spring of 2024 and has loved every minute of it! She is eager to expand her terrestrial knowledge and learn as much as possible about restoration work and beyond. In her free time, Annie enjoys playing with her cat, Wader, camping, and playing rugby.
Education Outreach Coordinator
Ellen MacGillivray
Ellen began with the KWRC as a summer student in 2021 and returned the following winter after completing her Biology degree at UNBSJ.
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Ellen enjoys spending time in the woods, taking photos or recording observations in a handmade nature journal. She also loves to read, write, forage, craft, and learn. Ellen enjoys that her position with the KWRC allows her to think creatively and connect with the community.
Being exposed to the work that goes into conservation efforts and to so many people with a shared passion for ecosystem protection has been an extremely positive experience. This job will serve as a valuable stepping stone to her dream career – yet undecided! She hopes to one day work closely with plants and fungi for the betterment of both the environment and human experience.
Kate began working as our Restoration Coordinator at the KWRC in the fall of 2023. In the summer of 2024, she became our Monitoring Coordinator. She grew up in Belleisle and loves being in nature, hiking with her dog Cera, kayaking, and reading. Kate graduated from the Medical Laboratory Assistant program at NBCC Saint John in 2012 and worked in the laboratory science field in Alberta for many years. Since she started with the KWRC, Kate has developed a slight obsession with the iNaturalist app! She is very excited to gain more field experience and continue creating a positive impact on the environment in her community.
Monitoring Coordinator
Kate Vey
Agricultural Stewardship Coordinator
Miranda Crawford
Miranda was born and raised in Sussex, and has recently graduated from the University of New Brunswick where she obtained her Master of Science in Biology, producing her thesis; “Effects of Agriculture, Insecticides, and Climate Change in Prince Edward Island, Canada”. Originally working at the KWRC in 2018 and 2019 as a student, she returned upon completion of her masters. As the Agricultural Stewardship Coordinator, Miranda brings knowledge and experience to the organization to help develop this new position while also utilizing components of each established pillar and providing a unique and personal perspective to the KWRC.
Biodiversity Coordinator
Caitlyn Duncanson
Caitlyn is from Calgary, Alberta, and grew up exploring the Rocky
Mountains where she developed a lifelong passion for nature and
conservation. She earned a Diploma in Environmental Planning from
Selkirk College in British Columbia in 2019 and completed a Bachelor
of Science in Environmental Practice at Royal Roads University in 2023.
Caitlyn has been actively involved in the environmental conservation field
since 2019, gaining experience in environmental monitoring, fisheries biology,
riparian restoration, and parks planning.
As the Biodiversity Coordinator with the KWRC, Caitlyn is working to protect and
enhance critical habitats for Species at Risk, contributing to the health and resilience of the Kennebecasis Watershed.
In her free time, Caitlyn enjoys climbing, skiing, foraging for fungi, and birding. When she’s not out exploring nature, she loves channeling her creativity into art projects inspired by nature.