The Gaia Project is a non-profit charitable organization with the mission to empower youth to take action on climate change through education.
At The Gaia Project, we use a unique approach to empower youth to take action. We incorporate inquiry-based education, curriculum links, and local action in each of our projects.
Strategic Partnerships: We work with a range of partners dedicated to creating rich, real-world learning opportunities for students and teachers
Teachers Supports: We help teachers through professional learning activities , resources and in classroom support to bring climate change into their pedagogy.
Enhance Student Learning: We give students of all ages hands-on experiences to explore issues around energy, waste, water, transportation and general sustainability.
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: We give students the resources they need to take local action on the global issue of climate change
Improve understanding of the climate and energy's complex relationship in our society
Helping to develop the next generation of global citizens
Encourage students to consider their future prospects in green job markets
Resulting in concrete and meaningful actions developing students’ capacity for critical thinking and project management
Lizzy is a passionate environmentalist who believes in taking practical steps forward in the fight against climate change. Prior to joining Gaia, she worked for a number of national and provincial non-profits, including Learning for a Sustainable Future, Evergreen Canada, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society. Lizzy holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Acadia University and a master’s in environmental studies and a business and environment certificate from York University. As she leads the Gaia Project, she is raising three growing girls and taking care of her two cats with her husband Matt.
Jimmy brings an international perspective and passion to his role of empowering youth to improve sustainability in their communities. Before joining Gaia in 2011, Jimmy worked for an environmental education research group on projects in Romania, Morocco, the U.S. and Canada. He holds a bachelor of science degree and a master’s in environmental studies from Université de Moncton. In 2015, he was named one of Atlantic Canada’s under-40 leaders by 21Inc. Jimmy is an avid cyclist and runner and a vegan.
For over a decade, Geoff has shared science activities and experiments with youth. As a science education researcher, Geoff wants to improve the student experience in science classrooms around New Brunswick. He joined the Gaia Project in 2018 to develop the Climate Change Education Plan. This ambitious project targets K-12 educational goals, integrating project-based topics around sustainable living, climate-change mitigation and energy literacy. With a master’s degree in inquiry-based science instruction and curriculum development, Geoff enjoys seeing students think outside the box and making inquiry-based connections.
Ashley is a journalist Originally from Toronto but has travelled across the country working with Indigenous non-profit radio communications organizations. She’s lived north of 60, has driven coast to coast, and one daydreams of making that coast-to-coast-to-coast (Tuktoyaktuk here we come!). Her passion for environmentalism and experience has brought her toThe Gaia Project!
Anna-Lee has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the Université de Moncton and has a passion for community development, social empowerment and working with youth.
In her role as the Communications and Networking Coordinator, she’s especially excited to connect youth to potential sustainable career opportunities in the province.
Through her experience working in a youth centre, she strongly believes that everyone has the potential to act on climate change and that it all starts with education.
Anna-Lee loves nature and is very interested in mindfulness, permaculture and homesteading. She lives with her wife in the country with their dog, cat and chickens and makes it their life’s purpose to live in harmony with nature as much as possible.
Having joined Gaia in May 2019 working as a Special Projects Coordinator, Ainslee sees the importance in finding ways to inspire youth to take climate action. Throughout her time earning a B.Sc in Environment and Natural Resources, she gained experience working in the environmental sector, doing both fieldwork and research. Fieldwork was an eye-opening experience but she is thrilled to be back working on climate change. Being born and raised in Fredericton has allowed her to gain an appreciation of the surrounding nature in which she spends her free time exploring.
Catherine was born in Shippagan, grew up in Edmundston and has been living in Moncton for more than 10 years. After studying education, Catherine decided to continue her training in marketing. During her studies, she went to Finland to learn more about sustainable development and the bio-economy. It is with her heterogeneous background and her need to act for environmental causes that pushed her to join The Gaia Project as a Program Delivery Officer. She believes that by giving confidence and hope to students they will be able to take action against climate change.
Joining Gaia in August 2019 as a Program Delivery Officer, Brittany knows that encouraging youth and teaching them about climate change is critical. With a B. A in anthropology and history, she believes that being able to understand the science of human behaviour is key to leading the societal changes necessary to fight climate change. Holding a Masters in Environmental Management focused on methods of composting and specializing in vermi-composting, she is ready to share her knowledge with New Brunswick schools to help them understand the importance of innovative waste management techniques.
Guylaine is passionate about learning and education. She holds a BSc-BEd in biology and history from Université de Moncton. Born in Bathurst, she moved to Fredericton in 2012 upon completing her degree. Before joining Gaia, Guylaine worked for several years as a fifth-grade teacher in a francophone school. There, she witnessed the way project and inquiry-based teaching methods made a meaningful impact on students’ learning. She loved seeing them develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills using real life problems. Guylaine strongly believes today’s youth shows incredible promise, and that educating children and getting them involved in the fight against climate change is key to significant change.
Adam earned his Bachelors of Arts degree in Geography from Vancouver Island University in 2013, specializing in Urban and Social Sustainability. Since graduating, he has worked for non-profit organizations across the country and around the world, including Uganda, Laos, and Guatemala. Adam has taught many workshops, and coordinated countless programs over the past ten years, ranging from vermicomposting, permaculture, aquaponics, gardening for beginners, and even traditional wood carving! Adam is passionate about regenerative agriculture, and when he isn’t talking to students about climate change, he can be found outside weeding and composting his ¼ acre garden at The Birchweaver Homestead, near Mactaquac, NB.
Violet is in her second year of studying for a Bachelor of Science in Environment and Natural Resources at the University of New Brunswick. Violet has worked with land-based environmental education and Indigenous history education for several years and always has a new game or story to share with students. She relies heavily on the lessons she received from her Indigenous upbringing, and always tries to bring a fresh perspective to the table.
CEO and co-founder of Stash Energy
Jordan leads the business development, corporate/business strategy and financial management aspects of Stash Energy. Jordan received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and has successfully completed his Masters of Engineering in UNB’s Technology Management and Entrepreneurship Program. Jordan also participated in the Summer Institute Accelerator Program at UNB and in 2017 received the Startup Canada Young Entrepreneur Award. Jordan has previous experience as Teaching Assistant at UNB.
George Dashner has worked in the field of climate change for close to 40 years which included a 30 year career with NB Power focused on energy efficiency and sustainability. George’s NB Power career included developing and delivering energy efficiency programs, research and development, Integrated Resource planning, renewable energy, and Demand Side Management.
“Energy and climate sustainability is a long term goal that will require behavioural change in all of us to be successful. We at The Gaia Project believe that providing our youth with the skills to identify and address the challenges of sustainability will be critical in helping them develop a cleaner environment for themselves and their children.”
George has been a volunteer and board member at The Gaia Project for the past nine years; he enjoys working with the Gaia team, he is inspired by their passion and commitment for developing and delivering first class programs on sustainability to New Brunswick schools.
Janet started her career in the healthcare field and within five years began work in the area of economic development. She has over 30 years experience working with various provincial government departments in New Brunswick and with the private sector. In 2013, she retired from the federal government as Vice President of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for the province of New Brunswick.
Janet’s work in economic development included regional and international development with countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, China, the European Economic Community and the United States. Over the years, her work involved the delivery of programs and services to assist companies grow and expand into export markets; to increase productivity through innovation; and to support community groups and the non-profit sector to build capacity in support of economic development of the province.
Since her retirement, Janet has been involved with a number of community organizations, including the Research and Productivity Council, Elementary Literacy Inc., the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Cat Rescue Maritimes, the St Dunstan’s Refugee Sponsorship Initiative, the Renaissance College, and The Gaia Project.
Janet is living in Fredericton with her husband George Phillips. She is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys world travel.
“The reason I got involved with The Gaia Project is because of its approach to the environment and climate change, working with youth in a hands on way to help them to make practical decisions for sustainability of our environment into the future. The significance of climate change on our lives has never been greater than it is now and Gaia is preparing our future citizens to think seriously about how they can contribute to a sustainable environment into the future.”
Nick Russon is a practicing lawyer with the law firm of Stewart McKelvey in Fredericton. With a keen interest in the environment and the outdoors, Nick considers it essential that all New Brunswick students be exposed to energy and sustainability education to expose them to new career possibilities and to provide a starting point in making informed decisions on energy and sustainability issues throughout their lives.
Carolyn Barnhart is entering her 28th year of teaching science. She has enjoyed a variety of teaching opportunities from a Cree school in Moosonee, a Teacher’s academy in Malawi, to her current position as SPR of Science at Fredericton High School.
As an educator, Carolyn saw the benefits of the Gaia Project early on – the hand’s on, problem solving model challenged her as a “traditional” educator, but she knew it would benefit her students, providing them with 21st century skills and excellent opportunities to learn and grow as citizens. Building relationships with outside agencies (Gaia, Brilliant Labs and DU) provides the students with opportunities to identify and solve real world problems and make a difference!
She has recently been recognized by the APEGNB with the Inspirational STEM Award Teacher and received a Prime Ministers Award Certificate for Teaching Excellence in STEM. This past fall, she was quoted in a NYTimes article “Making Education Inclusive”.
At Fredericton High School she is the co-advisor of Student Council and Kats Kitchen. She and her husband are passionate about renovating and enjoy their cliff edge “tiny home” on Grand Manan.
What it means to be on the board….
“I am humbled to be a member of the Gaia Board of Directors. It gives me an opportunity to give back to an organization that has given me and my students so many amazing opportunities and experiences. They have had a profound impact on me as an educator.”
Dr. Michel T. Léger is an Associate Professor of Education at the Université de Moncton. Before completing a PhD in Environmental Education (2012), Dr. Léger earned previous bachelor’s degrees in both Science (Biology) and Education, as well as a master’s degree in Education. After teaching high school science for 11 years, he now teaches classes in research methods, cognitive learning strategies and environmental education, in both undergraduate and postgraduate education programs. Dr. Léger also conducts research in the fields of Environmental Education, Technopedagogy and Educational Psychology, specializing not only in the potential role and the limits of technologies in fostering environmental action, but also the processes behind green habit adoption in the context of family.
Brian attended Queen’s University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics and a Bachelor of Arts in Music, both in 2005. After graduation he went to work in Saskatchewan and the UK on carbon capture and storage projects, including serving as lead technical advisor to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change on carbon capture technologies.
In 2009, he founded The Gaia Project, a charitable organization that provides students with hands on opportunities to make informed decisions about energy and its impact on the environment.
John is a senior executive with over forty years of leadership experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He has worked for the governments of Canada, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories and has held executive positions in the oil and gas, hi-tech and professional services industries. He has served on the Board of Directors of charitable organizations active the education, international development and community service fields. He is a graduate of the environmental sciences program at the University of Waterloo.
John has a long-standing interest in environmental matters generally and believes that the best way to strengthen environmental stewardship is through education about the consequences resulting from unsustainable practices and the opportunities which exist today for individuals to act to lessen environmental degradation. The Gaia Project speaks directly to this by training and inspiring students – our future leaders – to assess environmental issues and develop practical responses which can be implemented now.
Jake Arsenault is a serial high-tech entrepreneur. His related areas of interest include marketing, team building and new product creation. He has a PhD in engineering from the University of New Brunswick (UNB). Jake founded Inversa Systems, a pioneer of gamma-ray imaging for infrastructure based on his PhD research. He is also co-founder of The Black Arcs (TBA), an impact venture design to disrupt. TBA creates land-use and mobility models of cities, but built as web games for a broader civic discussion of sustainability.
Helping to support start-ups in the region, Jake mentors various early stage ventures. He enjoyed his time as Entrepreneur in Residence at UNB so much that he can still be found kicking around at TME’s Summer Institute. He also serves on the WMI Order board of directors and has been asked to contribute to the Ignite Fredericton’s Creative Sector Task Force.
Jakes feels that development of critical thinking through programs, such as the Gaia Project, are essential to Canada’s future success. He also wishes the program existed when he was in school.
With complimentary degrees in Environmental Studies and Architecture from the University of Waterloo, Krista believes that all building typologies and development can and should subscribe to sustainable building practices. Krista’s full service, award winning sustainable design firm provides consultation, design and management to numerous green building projects throughout North America. Leading by example is an important and practiced philosophy and Krista strongly advocates for sustainability and climate change educations in our schools. Empowering the youth of today will encourage a healthier planet for tomorrow.
