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Our Staff

Adrian Avendaño, Dipl T

Executive Director

778-681-8358

adrian@iscmv.ca

Adrian is an environmental technician and interdisciplinary artist based in Surrey-Vancouver, Canada [stolen lands of the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), Semiahma (Semiahmoo), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples].  He holds a Diploma of Technology from BCIT’s Forest and Natural Areas Management program, which has enabled him to work in many public institutions around the Lower Mainland. In 2020-2023, Adrian served as the Stewardship Program Manager at Still Moon Arts Society. In this position, he did significant work with engaging community stewardship in Renfrew Ravine Park, Renfrew Community Park, and and Still Creek. In addition, Adrian created the invasive plant management plan for the Government of Chile’s – Ministry of Agriculture: National Forest Corporation in Torres del Paine National Park. 

Adrian is also an emerging performer in Vancouver’s music scene, collaborating both locally and abroad. He studied music at Vancouver Community College and has parrticipated in many sound initiatives in Vancouver, Peru and Chile (VIVO Media Arts Salmon Sounds, Memorias Sonoras del Cusco II, and Tsonami’s International Sound Art Festival).  Adrian is interested in the intersection of ecology, open-source technology, community engaged art, and restoration.

 

Grace Nombrado, B.A, B.Ed

Communications Coordinator

gnombrado@iscmv.ca 

Grace holds a B.A. (English) and B.Ed (Teacher Certification) from Simon Fraser University. In addition to being the Communications Coordinator for ISCMV, Grace is also the founder and Executive Director of Free the Fern Stewardship Society in South Vancouver. Prior to 2020, Grace was an Elementary teacher specializing in teaching kids with learning disabilities. Now, she uses her teaching skills to plan stewardship events and workshops. In addition to planning events, Grace edits the content for ISCMV website, newsletter, and social media. She has a passion for bringing community together through stewardship and art. Grace enjoys sharing her nature photography online and teaching others how to weave with invasive ivy. 

She lives in South Vancouver with her family, adjacent to the beautiful Champlain Heights trail system.  Grace is a member of Champlain Heights Elementary School PAC and volunteers within her own Kinross Creek Housing Co-op.

 

Larissa Lau, B.Geog, Dipl T.

Project Coordinator 

llau@iscmv.ca

Larissa was born and raised in Metro Vancouver, residing in Coquitlam on the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm), Katzie and other Coast Salish peoples. She has a BA in Geography from UBC and a Technical Diploma in Forests and Natural Areas Management from BCIT. Larissa has been working for the ISCMV in various capacities since 2020. As a Project Coordinator, she currently facilitates volunteer stewardship programs, delivers outreach events and supports other invasive species projects.

While her background has primarily been in restoration and stewardship, Larissa divides her time with the performing arts festival circuit, working for the Vancouver Fringe Festival, PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, Vancouver Children’s Festival. 

 

 

Tasha Murray, B.Sc, M.S.T.

Consultant

tasha@iscmv.ca

Tasha holds a B.Sc. (Ecology & Environmental Biology) from Thompson River University and a M.S.T. (Masters of Science in Teaching) from Portland State University. Tasha has been involved in conservation in the Pacific Northwest for over twenty years and has worked extensively to manage invasive species. She previously worked as the coordinator of the Vancouver Aquarium's River Works program, an aquatic stewardship initiative focused on volunteer-based restoration projects. She has worked for the ISCMV in various roles since 2008 and currently focuses on education/training, development of best practices, and consulting.

She lives in Burnaby with her family on a small acreage with a large garden, chickens, and plenty of invasive plants to tackle. Tasha also volunteers for several youth and mental health organizations in her community.