Gerry Nellestijn contributes a strong social science-based voice for the Salmo River in BC as Coordinator for the Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society since its inception in 1997. Gerry has significantly raised the profile of the Salmo River and brought important issues such as watershed planning, the decline of fish populations, and the impact of the historic mine tailings to the attention of the public and decision-makers. The Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society is regularly called on to comment on issues that impact the river and to provide insightful solutions and recommendations to improve the health and future of aquatic ecosystem health in the Salmo River watershed.
Gerry earned an anthropology degree at the University of Western Ontario. He also completed a post-graduate Environmental Management program at the University of Calgary in Alberta.
Gerry’s compelling leadership and collaborative approach has brought excellent results to the Salmo River through networking and partnerships with key players throughout the watershed and region. Gerry has sat on a number advisory committees including the Upper Columbia White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative and Michelle Mungall’s (MLA, Nelson-Creston) Columbia River Treaty Advisory Committee.
He continues to give a message of Stewardship Ethics, Principles and Values to community everywhere.
