Audra Peterson
Audra grew up on an off-grid cattle ranch in Tatlayoko Lake. This experience instilled a love for the environment and the healing power of being in nature.
After graduating with a BSc in Environmental Studies at University of Victoria in 1989, Audra worked with the Department of Fisheries at various Salmon Enhancement projects in the BC Interior. She was then accepted on a Work Study Program to Australia where she worked as a volunteer for the Townsville Institute of Marine Science in Northern Queensland, spending 2 months Scuba Diving at various locations on the Great Barrier Reef to collect data on the effects of Global Warming on the coral reefs.
Audra then moved to Ireland and with her husband set up the first Organic Beef Farm in Ireland. As well as farming, Audra set up a health-food shop and began teaching courses in organic gardening, herbalism, healthy eating and lifestyle courses.
She went on to receive a Masters in Ecological Assessment and Field Ecology, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from University College Cork. Audra was integral in the development and running of education programs in the Fota Wildlife Education Centre in Cork. She also taught Grade 8-12 Science and lectured First year Anatomy and Physiology for the Irish College of Naturopathic Medicine. This culminated in an Academic post at the University College Cork, involving teaching, administration and examination of the first year Biology lab and fieldwork program.
Audra has worked on various community development projects in Africa over the past 20 years. These have mostly been education based school building projects in Uganda, Congo and Rwanda.
In 2014, Audra moved back to Canada and now lives the Tatlayoko Valley with her partner on a small homestead. She teaches Kindergarten to Grade 10 in the local school.
Audra has travelled widely to many areas of ecological concern and beauty. This has instilled in her a desire to protect the areas of ecological and educational value that still exist on the planet.