Hugh is a water defender living on Redfish Creek on the unceded ancestral territory of the Sinixt and Ktunaxa First Nations. He and his family left the city to be closer to nature years ago and they have been living a life interwoven with the water flowing through the forest farm they have created. He is a grandfather and cares deeply about the sustaining access to the clean water upon which we all depend.
Living along and dependent on Laird Creek, on the ancestral territory of the Sinixt and Ktunaxa First Nations, became abundantly aware of the threats to water sources surrounding Kootenay Lake, has applied her acquired skills to diverse civic projects. Using analytical, philosophical and rhetorical tools of interdisciplinarity and an evolving engagement with resident First Nations, she brings to the table a tool box fit to the work of restoration, land rematriation and cross border relations.
Rami grew up in Procter, BC, where he continues to live. He has been successful in numerous business and volunteer ventures spanning more than 40 years. He operated his own tree-planting company for more than a decade, after which he worked on the successful West Arm Wilderness campaign. Then he was a co-founder of the Harrop Procter Community Forest and served for many years on its board of directors. He also worked growing the value-added division of the community forest, Harrop Procter Forest Products. It is now a thriving supplier of
high-quality wood products manufactured from community forest logs. Currently he works with Indigenous communities around BC helping them achieve self-sufficiency by milling their own wood to build better homes in the places they live. He also volunteers with several local to
organizations, including being on the board of the West Kootenay Watershed Collaborative as well as serving on several committees within the Harrop-Procter Community Co-operative.
Ramona Faust has lived in the Kootenay Lake Watershed for 46 years.
During that time she was employed in forestry, education, social services, community forestry and was elected for 4 terms as the Regional District Director for Central Kootenay Area E serving 14 years until retirement in 2022. During that time her focus was on family friendly community, the expansion of parkland, community development and climate adaptation and watershed governance.
Her volunteer activities are many including the West Kootenay Ecosociety, the Harrop ProcterWatershed Protection Society, Vancouver Foundation Environment AdvisoryCommittee, the Real Estate Foundation of BC Board of Governors serving as chair for 2 years.
Currently she is on the board of The Local Government Climate Caucus and the Central Kootenay Food Policy Council . Ramona is married with 2 adult children and 4 wonderful grandchildren.
Andrew has lived beside Cottonwood Creek for 25 years. Reliant on its water quality and watchful of its flow rate during freshet, he is keenly aware of the requirement to safeguard all Kootenay watersheds against the downstream effects of industrial activities.
As a founding board member and spokesperson for the Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society, he celebrated as the Nelson community-at-large galvanized, fundraiser and purchased 49 ha. of mature forest up-slope of Cottonwood Lake Regional Park, gifting it to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, to be protected perpetuity.
A building contractor for over 30 years, Andrew appreciates the need for the lumber that our forests provide. That said, he’s convinced that status quo logging practices/attitudes must change, especially in this time of climate crisis and ecological distress.
Currently working as a BC Ambulance paramedic, Andrew and his partner like to, among other things, spend time canoeing on Cottonwood Lake, mountain biking, and staying involved with their community.
Landon Veregin, a devoted advocate for environmental stewardship and community engagement, stands at the forefront of efforts to protect the West Kootenay watershed. A Nelson native with deep roots in the region, Landon ran for RDCK Area E directorship in 2022, reflecting his commitment to local governance and sustainable development. Now residing in Longbeach near Redfish on the unceded ancestral lands of the Sinixt and Ktunaxa First Nations, Landon brings a unique perspective shaped by his background in international business, including 15 years in China. His return to the Kootenays has revitalized his dedication to ensuring universal access to clean drinking water, underscoring his renewed spirit in championing environmental rights and conservation efforts in the region.
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