John Bacher
John has been an active environmentalist since the early 1970 's, working primarily on issues involving the protection of the landscape of Southern Ontario. This has led to some quite varied forms of environmental activism. One is transportation expansion, which most successfully, contributed to the defeat of the proposed mid-peninsula (Niagara) expressway. Another is waste management, which contributed to the defeat of numerous proposals to establish garbage incinerators in the Hamilton-Niagara region. He also played an important role in the defeat of Dump Site 41 in Simcoe County and the proposed Dufferin County mega quarry, while working closely with his friend Danny Beaton (of the Mohawk Six Nations).
John was recruited into Sierra Club Ontario through his extensive involvement in Greenbelt issues. This was important in the defeat of proposals which had they been adopted, would have greatly weakened the Greenbelt as a land use planning tool.
Rosemary Keenan - Peel Region Group Chair
Rosemary is a founding member of the Peel Group Chapter at Sierra Club (covering Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon). Representing Sierra, she has participated as a stakeholder during policy review roundtables for Credit Valley Conservation, Toronto Region Conservation Authority, City of Brampton, City of Mississauga, and Region of Peel. Currently she serves as a committee member on the Brampton Environment Advisory Committee and the CTC (Credit, Toronto, and Central) Source Protection Committee. A committed environmentalist, Rosemary loves to be out in the community working with Sierra Volunteers and Conservation partners on tree plantings, invasive species pulls, and sustainable neighbourhood projects.
She and her team plan and participate in education and outreach at a variety of community events including Seedy Saturdays, Mississauga Earth Market, and Bike the Etobicoke Creek. "One of my favourite places is the Medicine Wheel Garden at Heart Lake Conservation Area in Brampton. I was very happy to be involved when First Nations representative Anthony Templar led us through the establishment of the garden. Each year in early June we gather with community partners for a Drum Circle and to work on the garden.
Jessica Murray - Ontario Director on SCCF Board
Jessica (she/her) is Canadian-born Chinese and has lived in Toronto, ON her whole life. She is a mother to twin toddlers and currently lives in Toronto east end with her family. She works in Markham, ON with her father as a real estate sales manager. She is passionate about housing as a fundamental right (for all species!), home affordability, and the intersection it often comes up against in urban planning and building a sustainable city. Prior to her role in sales, she was a yoga teacher, ceramicist, and artist. She went to Queen’s law school where she had intended a career in animal/environmental law, but life had other plans. She is most proud of her tomatoes that thrive even in her shady city lot, and raising her kids to respect, love, and wonder at nature. She is a rock climber, and loves climbing in Beaver Valley among the cedar, cooing rock doves, and soaring turkey vultures. She brings active listening, an openness to learn, and values kindness in relationship with all of creation.