Conservationist profile: Darla Saunders

Darla Saunders is the Conservation Program Manager the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation.  While she has worked throughout Eastern Canada on behalf of the Foundation, projects in New Brunswick and Quebec are currently her primary focus.  She also assists the Executive Director on Applied Scientific Research initiatives.  Darla co-founded the popular webinar series the Foundation hosts in partnership with the Canadian Rivers Institute and serves as the series’ coordinator.

Before joining the Foundation, Darla worked in Kouchibouguac National Park as an Ecosystem Data Technician and an Acting Ecologist Team Leader, in Prince Edward Island National Park as an Ecosystem Scientist, an Acting Heritage Presentation Coordinator and an Interpretation & Outreach Officer and with the Nature Conservancy of Canada as an Acting Stewardship Coordinator, a Land Conservation & Stewardship Representative and a Land Securement Officer.  Overall, Darla has more than 15 years’ experience in the field of conservation.  She holds a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University and a Master of Science from McGill University.  Darla grew up on the Miramichi and has also had the good fortune to call various places home in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Quebec.

Darla is an active community volunteer and currently serves as a Personal Disaster Responder with the Canadian Red Cross and on the Board of the Fredericton Public Library.  Outside of the office, Darla loves running, drawing, playing her fiddle and gardening.  She is passionate about river conservation and feels very lucky that her work at the Foundation allows her to engage with so many worthy projects and groups contributing to the health of Atlantic Salmon and its habitat.