Laura Nickerson Email & Phone Number

North Vancouver, Bc, Ca

Vancouver Bc

• Support teacher and student-led sustainability projects at elementary and secondary schools by linking people with existing resources and creating new connections throughout the school district.• Administer the sustainability grant program for elementary and secondary schools and support the completion of funded projects with mentorship for students and educators as necessary.• Create and update resource guides for educators and administrators, providing links to the VSB Sustainability Plan and offering opportunities for the advancement of sustainability goals at school sites.• Revamped the waste, recycling, and organics program throughout the entire district – including consultation with waste haulers; engagement with building engineers, educators, and students; and a redesign of signage and educational material.• Collaborate with community partners to offer professional development opportunities for district teachers in local, place-based sustainability programming.

Vancouver, Bc

• Built lasting & mutually beneficial relationships with community partners by identifying shared goals and providing personalized service.• Expanded programming in new directions by identifying and anticipating trends in funder interests and community goals, attracting new participants and building a dedicated following.• Managed an annual budget of $100,000, responsible for tracking both the day-to-day expenses and forecasting for future program needs, consistently achieving all program deliverables on budget.

Vancouver, Bc

• Ran 33 community events per year, overseeing all aspects of planning, including management, coordination, implementation, and evaluation, resulting in record-high event attendance.• Maintained a highly motivated volunteer team by developing engaging programming opportunities at community events, while also recruiting new volunteers.•Created 40+ customized workshops designed to engage participants in environmental issues, inspiring individuals to take action in their local community.

Biogeoscience Centre - Kananaskis, Alberta

• Created a safe and engaging outdoor learning environment for high school students collecting scientific data in the field.• Refreshed curriculum materials to facilitate student learning and encourage creativity and critical thinking.

Golden, Bc

• Supported children and youth clients through personal and family challenges using an outdoor and play-based approach to enhance resilience, improve family relationships, and adopt positive behaviours.• Designed and facilitated perspective-shifting parenting education programs, encouraging big-picture thinking and creative problem solving.

• Supervised a team of 12 Youth & Family Support Workers; including recruitment, training, mentorship, and evaluation; and played an active role in the creation of a respectful and productive team.• Managed the logistical details and day-to-day operations of a wilderness-based residential drug and alcohol treatment facility, housing up to 35 people at time.• Organized the delivery of therapeutic activities, communication with clients and their families, and the passage of youth through the program, facilitating the smooth operation of the site and program.

• Facilitated experiential therapy sessions for young clients, forging trusting relationships to support personal change and development.• Contributed to a high-performing therapeutic team, helping to establish strong leadership and shared values to provide a safe environment for our clients.

Southern Alberta

• Facilitated in-class and outdoor experiential education opportunities for students in grades 3 to 12, delivering creative and engaging hiking and wetland study programs.

• Co-guided expedition-style wilderness trips by canoe, kayak, and on foot.• Sparked wonder in clients by sharing immersive experiences across British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon.• Achieved perfectly steamed rice, over the fire.

• Recruited, trained, and directed an instructional staff of 35 dynamic outdoor professionals to deliver wilderness education experience for guests of all ages and experience levels.• Maintained a highly motivated staff team through the coordination of mentoring and evaluation program for instructional staff.• Coordinated the practicum program for students of the Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training program, including the facilitation of educational workshops on group management, teaching techniques, and leadership.

• Delivered experiential outdoor education programs, focusing on environmental awareness, personal growth, and group development.• Managed diverse group of people in a frequently changing outdoor environment, achieving success by demonstrating an awareness of both physical and emotional safety.

Master Of Arts (Ma), Environmental Education And Communication

Master of Arts in Environmental Education and Communication

Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training (Colt) Program

Bachelor'S Degree, Recreation And Leisure Studies

Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure, specializing in Outdoor Recreation