Xwulqw’selu Connections welcomes our newest teammate Heather Magusin. They are working alongside PhD Candidate Kristina Disney this summer to study the connection between groundwater and Xwulqw’selu Sta’lo’ through measurements of temperature, specific conductivity and streamflow. They will also learn to analyze the data and interpret the ‘numbers’ to understand what they mean for river health.

Heather grew up exploring “the bush” with their pragmatic and outdoorsy parents in a part of Treaty 8 territory known as Grande Prairie – the lands of the Dane-zaa (Beaver), Nehiyawak (Cree), and Metis. Heather says: “For as long as I can remember I’ve also been an artist who feels deeply and peers closely at the world, with photography and poetry my main mediums.” Their current projects include studying and photographing lichens, learning native plant propagation, and now, getting to better understand and give back to the watershed that supports us in the Cowichan Valley.

They have followed their curiosity along many life paths, including:

  • specializing in emergency management policy and strategic planning for the Government of Alberta
  • studying the cultural politics of wildfire
  • creating a solo photography exhibit [Carbon]
  • bike-touring throughout Alberta and BC
  • helping to run and manage organic farms on Southern Vancouver Island
  • working as a Restoration Technician for a season with the Galiano Conservancy Association
Heather is currently completing a diploma of Restoration of Natural Systems at the University of Victoria while living in the territory of Cowichan Tribes in Duncan.  Please join us in welcoming Heather to the team!