Getting to Know...

This feature will acquaint us with a member of NCES, long standing or new to the group. As members of NCES, we all have a common interest in the health of our beaches and waterways and the birds, fish and animals that call them home. "Getting to Know"  will introduce us to some of the individuals that make things happen at NCES.

Getting to know: Cécile van Woensel

Photo by Sean Fenzl

Cécile was born in the Netherlands and has always enjoyed nature and art. She worked as an artist and a teacher in arts and biology in her home country. In 2008, she and her partner moved to Nanaimo, seeking opportunity and adventure in the great outdoors. Life on Vancouver Island is great. Weekends are for hiking, biking, canoeing, skiing, and all of these activities so close by!

In Nanaimo, she soon became involved in the arts community and  worked on several public art projects including a mural at the Nanaimo Airport. Through the arts, she met Ken Kirkby at the first Island Arts Expo in 2009. He inspired her to become more involved in the Nile Creek Enhancement Society and she contributed to the Paintings by the Numbers fundraiser by donating one of her art pieces.

Cécile has volunteered on several NCES projects and is still  amazed by the sea creatures she saw. In the Netherlands she never saw such diverse marine life, but she realizes that this environment is very delicate and threatened. Working with Diane Sampson and NCES has given her the opportunity to help and to learn from other members. She assisted in taking water samples in the fall of 2011 and in the egg take in Campbell River. For her, both were opportunities to get to know more members of  NCES. The egg take was another event, which made a huge impression on her. The life cycle of the salmon is nothing short of awe inspiring.

Currently Cécile works for the Biological Station in Nanaimo for the department of Aquatic Animal Health where she is involved in the research on salmon viruses. She plans to continue to volunteer with NCES and we look forward to working with her in the coming season.