International Women’s Day 2025

Today is International Women’s Day, a global day to celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements. On this important day, The Nature Trust of BC recognizes the contributions of Trisha Beaty and Andrea Macleod, two Board members finishing up their time on The Nature Trust of BC’s Board of Directors. Their contributions, insights and expertise have guided our organization to conservation success, helping us conserve precious ecosystems across British Columbia.  

Andrea MacLeod 

Andrea MacLeod is a Registered Professional Biologist, lifelong birder, and conservation enthusiast who brings her many years of experience in environmental assessment and project permitting to The Nature Trust of BC’s board. She currently works as the manager of environmental programs at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, where she works to reduce environmental effects from Port development on the Burrard Inlet and Fraser River. 

“I am passionate about sustainable development in Canada. I think it is important to build a strong economy so Canadians can prosper, and I want to find ways to do that while protecting nature for generations to come. The Nature Trust buys private land and protects it forever – I think that plays a key role and also helps the economy.” said Andrea.  

Andrea has been on The Nature Trust of BC’s Board of Directors since 2017, and in addition to helping us purchase and protect numerous conservation areas across the province. She has also been instrumental in our fundraising efforts, having emceed at our 2022 Gala, and presenting at our 2024 Gala.  

“The Nature Trust is successful because of the talented people involved in the organization and their dedication to its goals. The employees, board members, and donors are passionate about protecting nature. They care about the environment, they see the impact of their work and experience it when they spend time in nature. The result of their work is tangible and meaningful – and it’s exciting to see the progress being made!”  

Trisha Beaty 

For Trisha Beaty, medical doctor, instructor in the Department of Medicine at UBC, naturalist and member of the Board of Directors at The Nature Trust of British Columbia, the love of nature is a personal passion which began in childhood. 

Trisha and her family’s passion for conservation led them to create the Sitka Foundation in 2007 — a family foundation with a simple mission: to be a catalyst in the conservation of nature and the protection of biodiversity. Trisha is the co-founder and Vice-President of the foundation, which has helped hundreds of organizations across Canada tackle issues impacting nature with a focus on the Pacific Northwest.  

“We can enact change by supporting the change makers – the people who are catalysts for change in their communities; the people who know the most and have their finger on the pulse of an issue. Sitka supports it through multiple layers. We look at species at risk from climate change and how we can support their viability. We look at ecosystems or connected terrestrial areas and corridors which allow species to head where they need to during climate change. We also look at social change through education and communication to try to motivate society to adopt a lower carbon producing community or society and to be less consumptive.” said Trisha.  

In addition to serving on The Nature Trust of BC’s Board of Directors since 2017, Trisha also enjoys participating on the board of Ecojustice and Birds Canada. When she is not birding, she may be off kayaking, hiking or cycling or sharing time with her ever growing family. 

Of her time with The Nature Trust of BC, Trisha said: “The Nature Trust has a wonderful staff, a strong land management team, and a diverse board with an organized framework. This is key to its success. It also has a very clear mandate about what it’s doing.”