By Rebekah Thomas | December 19, 2024
Throughout December, we’ve been celebrating ISCBC Giving Days – sharing the stories of our very own donors and working toward our goal of raising $5,000 to take us into our 20th Anniversary!
Hearing from our donors is a powerful reminder that while the impacts of invasive species are widespread, the experiences that mobilize us to take action are personally meaningful and diverse. This month, three incredible individuals have inspired us with their passion, commitment, and belief in our work.
So, pull up a cozy chair with some loved ones and a hot cocoa in hand and learn more about some of the members of ISCBC’s donor community!
Dr. Brian Heise
Dr. Brian Heise, long-time donor, former Board member, and professor at Thompson Rivers University, never passes on a chance to educate and advocate for invasive species management. Instrumental in expanding ISCBC’s scope from plants to all-species, Brian recognized the need for a holistic, province-wide approach to address the growing threat of invasive species.
Jack Mawhinney
A Vancouver Island resident and lifelong adventurer, Jack has been a loyal monthly donor for years. His environmental roots trace back to visiting his uncle’s ranch as a child, inspiring him on an incredible journey from the 1960’s “back-to-the-land” movement, coordinating local advocacy and “broom-busting” efforts, to fire suppression research.
Dan Tisseur
Dan is an Environmental Advisor working in natural resources in the Prince George area. He channels his love for the natural beauty of BC into action through his work and volunteerism. With a deep dedication to fostering healthier, more biodiverse landscapes, Dan has supported ISCBC’s work as a donor and as a member of our Board of Directors.
These three individuals shared their unique connections to invasive species and their insights on ISCBC’s work. While each had a distinct story to tell, all three have inspired us to look ahead at invasive species management with hope.
Brian, Jack, and Dan have all witnessed changes to the places they care about because of invasive species. Landscapes degraded by monocultures and trout populations threatened by invasive fish illustrated the impacts of invasive species in real time. Yet, these experiences have also illustrated the connections and relationships of the natural world, fostering a strong sense of care and respect for biodiversity – and a personal commitment to stewarding it with responsibility and action.
“I was already managing species on my own property and had worked on organized ‘broom-busting’ crews on public lands, trying to do the same… Management of invasive plants requires community-scale collective action.” – Jack
“When you see a community or an ecosystem that is in danger, you understand that it’s all connected… What happens to one part of the system affects the rest.” – Dan
While all three individuals do their part to address invasive species in different ways through their work and volunteer efforts, they share a common practice among them as donors to ISCBC.
Donating to ISCBC is a way to meaningfully contribute to healthy and diverse ecosystems
Our efforts to engage people of diverse backgrounds was part of what inspired these three to give to ISCBC. Involving people across B.C. in conversations about invasive species and inviting them to participate in solutions is fundamental to our work. This helps ensure our programs are accessible and grounded in real world challenges.
With a provincial scope oriented towards fostering collaborative partnerships, ISCBC has a unique role in the community of organizations working on invasive species issues. Our unique positioning allows us to advance the conversation on invasive species at the provincial, national, and even international level; as well as locally with communities and partners across the Province. This provincial perspective is part of the value these donors see in our work.
“What gives me hope is seeing the ISCBC team’s personal dedication to bringing people together—educating kids, supporting gardeners, and even working with policymakers. These small, individual efforts can make a huge difference. That’s why I give and why I believe in this work.” – Brian
But most importantly what we heard from Brian, Jack, and Dan was that ISCBC’s commitment to education helps to establish knowledge in communities across B.C. that is critical to the success of management and prevention efforts. Building knowledge at this larger population level and inspiring people to take small, responsible actions within their own lives takes time and care. Yet together, we can take action and make a difference – whether by practicing Play Clean Go or Clean Drain Dry – removing invasive species from your garden or a community park – education is the foundation of change.
“To me, it’s about protecting the land for future generations. That is what drew me to supporting the ISCBC.” – Jack
By working together on invasive species, future generations can have the opportunity to experience the beauty and peace of the special places around B.C. that we all know and love. The generosity that Brian, Jack, and Dan share with ISCBC, and others across B.C. in turn, help build lasting, inter-generational connections to place that help us stay connected with nature and each other.
“Protecting our ecosystems from invasive species is an act of conservation… that’s the progress we can make together. ” – Dan
Collective Action, Lasting Impact
Brian, Jack, and Dan’s stories encourage us to care deeply, act boldly, and believe in a future where ecosystems and communities thrive.
Our work is made possible because of supporters like Brian, Jack, Dan, and YOU!
It has been a pleasure to hear from our supporters about why they care. As we enter the final stretch of 2024, we encourage you to help us steward diverse and thriving landscapes in B.C. for generations to come.
Together, we can make 2025, our 20th anniversary, a year of positive transformation for ecosystems and communities across B.C.
From all of us at ISCBC, we thank you for being part of our supportive community. If you have a story you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you! Contact rthomas@bcinvasives.ca.
Here’s to an impactful 2025!
Rebekah works as a Partnerships and Development Coordinator at ISCBC. She is passionate about fostering boldness and connections that help make things happen for good, and loves to learn about local ecology in her spare time. You can reach Rebekah at rthomas@bcinvasives.ca
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