Ioana Kearns, BA, BASc, MSc

Intermediate Biologist – Fish and Aquatic Ecosystems

Iona is a biologist and project manager who brings over 10 years of experience to her role at SVS, primarily based on Vancouver Island and along the central coast of BC. Her work there involved time in the field monitoring species at risk, including trapping and tagging endangered Vancouver Island marmots. She also conducted fish and wildlife surveys, carried out environmental monitoring for construction projects, completed baseline watershed monitoring projects, provided First Nation Guardian technical support, and responded to oil spills.

Iona moved to BC in 2012 to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science in Natural Resource Protection, which led to a summer of work as a Park Ranger in Kamloops, BC. She then returned to Vancouver Island and found herself working in environmental consulting. After eleven years, Iona chose to move home to Ontario to pursue a Master of Science degree in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Ottawa. Her thesis research examined how effectively Canada’s federal fisheries legislation considers climate change, and proposed ways to strengthen and future-proof the Fisheries Act. Completing this MSc has inspired Iona to apply a climate change lens to all of her work, as climate impacts the world around us on so many levels.

Outside of work, Iona enjoys exploring new hiking trails, getting out on her paddleboard, reading, or learning a new craft. 

Expertise

Additional Superpowers

water quality monitoring | fish sampling | wildlife surveys | editing/peer review | technical writing | active listening |collaboration