Board of Directors

Peter was born in Ancaster to parents who appreciated and encouraged his interest in the natural world. Starting in 1985 Peter was able to exit a business-based life and devote most of his time, along with his partner Mary, to projects that enhance or help protect biodiversity. Over the years being on the boards of the Norfolk Field Naturalists, Carolinian Canada, Tall Grass Ontario, Federation of Ontario Naturalists that became Ontario Nature, Ontario Nature Trust Alliance that became Ontario Land Trust Alliance and The Wildlands League he developed an understanding of the strengths and short comings of board governance. These experiences have also allowed Peter to build a network of like-minded friends and colleagues. He was one of five founders of Long Point Basin Land Trust which was started to develop protection for the significant and important natural areas of Norfolk and Haldimand Counties. Peter feels privileged to have worked with many who share this vision.

Audrey Heagy has served on the LPBLT Board of Directors since 2011 and has been in the Treasurer role since 2020. Her present work is as an independent consultant managing habitat restoration projects, coordinating Species at Risk recovery activities, and undertaking technical writing projects. She has served as a volunteer, director, and officer for many environmental non-profit organizations in the past and is currently a director of the Norfolk Woodlot Owners Association.

Stephen has been on the Board of LPBLT since 2015 and serves as Secretary of the Board. He came to Norfolk County in 1988 and lives in Windham. His varied careers have included supply teaching, leatherwork, and canoe building; now he keeps busy supervising a fundraising bookstore and spending as much time as possible in nature.

Kerrie is the manager of Project FeederWatch and the Great Backyard Bird Count at Birds Canada. Her role is to connect people with nature through birds. Both of these programs allow people to turn their bird feeding and bird watching hobbies into research for conservation. Prior to this role with Project FeederWatch, she studied waterfowl diets and energetics at Long Point and invasive phragmites through Birds Canada’s Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Program. Over twenty years ago, Kerrie and her family moved to the Long Point area primarily because of their love for its natural features and biodiversity.

Len grew up on a tobacco farm southeast of Langton and has been a Norfolk resident almost all his life. Much of his working career was as a Stationary Engineer and Process Operator at Stelco Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke, from which he took early retirement in 2009. Big Creek ran through the back of their farm and there were several cold-water trout streams. His love of nature began from exploring the woods and streams around him and learning the flora and fauna that lived there as well as fishing whenever he had the chance. Having been a member of the Norfolk Field Naturalists on and off since the 1970s Len took a more active role upon retirement and is presently the Program and Outings Director. He also volunteers at the bird banding station at Old Cut on Sundays during the Spring and Fall migration as a member of the Friends of the Long Point Bird Observatory. Jan and Len have participated in the snake survey for Long Point Basin Land Trust for several years at Long Point Provincial Park. Len and his wife love to travel and camp as often as possible. They have visited many provincial parks as well as state parks in New York and Michigan through the years. Len and his wife are both avid photographers and are both on the executive for the Woodstock Camera Club.

Joe has served on the Long Point Basin Land Trust since 2011.  He was Treasurer of the Land trust until 2020.  He also served as Secretary and then as President of the Otter Valley Naturalists for several years.  In both organizations he became aware of the need to strengthen and enhance nature.  At home he planted dozens of native plants to attract nature to it.  Joe continues as a Director of the Land Trust.

Mary was raised on a livestock farm in the Dundas Valley, Ontario, where her parents encouraged her to explore nature and art. She received an Honours Zoology BSc. ‘73 degree from University of Guelph. Mary carried out field research, biological inventories and expeditions on birds, herpetofauna and mammals in Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroon. In Canada, she carried out biological inventories in Banff National Park, Halton, Norfolk and Haldimand Counties. Mary and Peter Carson purchased an 80 ha farm in Norfolk in 1990 and developed a native plant nursery and techniques to carry out seed-based ecological restoration projects on over 700 ha. During these activities Mary has taken time to share knowledge with researchers and students in post-graduate studies, served on various conservation-based NGO boards and science committees. She has provided expert advice on restoration projects including on oil pipeline routes and 400 series highways. Mary has authored or co-authored over 50 project reports and publications. She brings to Long Point Basin Land Trust high-level knowledge of local biodiversity, ecological restoration techniques and policies for managing and protecting sensitive natural areas.