This organization is an independent voice for the Ottawa River that works to protect, promote and improve the health of the Ottawa River and its tributaries. Patrick’s background in science allowed him to lead Ottawa Riverkeeper towards its largest endeavour to date; a multi-year, multi-sector (private, government, corporate) $1M watershed health and monitoring project. This is a science and data driven approach to conservation and watershed protection.
Thanks to his impressive results during his BSc at uOttawa, Patrick secured a scholarship from the Loran Scholars Foundation to pursue a Master’s degree in Forest Science from the University of British Columbia. He also gained experience working on provincial, national, and international environmental files while serving as an Executive Director for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Quebec.
As the Executive Director of Ottawa Riverkeeper, Patrick is responsible for leading the team and managing the organization according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. He has held this role since 2016, providing stability and strong leadership during a period of rapid growth and change. Patrick often acts as the face of the organization, and led it though dealing with the 2019 flooding, massive fish kills, and other issues threatening the health of the Ottawa River watershed.
When asked if he has any advice to share with current students, Patrick replied, “Keep yourself open to new opportunities, and explore new lines of work. You can bring experience to many more disciplines than you might think. Even if you think you know exactly where you are headed, reach out to professionals in a field you're curious about to talk about their careers. Many will be happy to discuss!”
In 2019, the Faculty of Science recognized Patrick’s outstanding achievements with the Young Alumni Award of Excellence.
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