Kitty Lloyd, naturalist and conservation consultant

After earning a BSc in marine biology at the University of British Columbia, Kitty Lloyd lived for twenty years in Bamfield on Vancouver Island's west coast, working at a variety of marine science jobs through the Bamfield Marine Station. Starting as a research technician for a kelp cultivation project, Kitty later used this experience to start the first commercial kelp farm on the BC coast, a business that continues to operate in Barkley Sound. Later she worked for several years as an instructor with the public education program at the Marine Station, co-taught a Marine Biology for Teachers course, helped develop marine biology curriculum material for schools, and edited the Marine Station research newsletter.

Since 1996, Kitty has worked as a naturalist aboard sailing vessels operated by Bluewater Adventures, an eco-tour company that offers coastal natural history trips in the Gulf Islands, Johnstone Strait, Knight Inlet, Haida Gwaii, Central Coast and Southeast Alaska. A wide variety of guests come aboard, including high school students, groups from natural history museums, marine aquaria, environmental organizations, as well as marine mammal researchers and private charter groups. In all cases, guests are interested in learning about the natural and cultural history and conservation issues in the areas visited. Kitty has also worked aboard several other boats, running marine biology school programs in the southern Gulf Islands, and natural history trips on the Central Coast and in Southeast Alaska. Her job on-board is to identify and interpret the ecology and behaviour of wildlife observed from the boat, and to help people discover the wonders of seashore life at low tide. On shore excursions, Kitty leads guests on hikes through forests to wetlands and salmon streams where people can experience first hand the spectacular flora and fauna of the Pacific coast rainforest.

During the winter seasons, Kitty has done a variety of other marine science related jobs, and is currently working on a contract with a non-profit society promoting environmental stewardship by waterfront landowners on the Gorge Waterway in Victoria Harbour. She also delivers environmental education programs centred on watersheds and marine biology in local schools and community centres in the Victoria area. Other community work Kitty has done includes leading nature hikes in local parks, giving public talks and workshops on various topics related to coastal biology.

Working aboard boats in many parts of the BC coast, with a variety of crew and guests, as well as her background in marine biology, aquaculture, environmental education and community work has given Kitty a broad-based knowledge and insight into coastal processes. Her enthusiasm for the wonders of the natural world, and concern for the sustainability of human activities on and around the coast are genuine and infectious. Kitty brings with her, besides a wide range of experience, a collection of background readings and hands-on materials that help to bring coastal ecosystems into context for people on the trips she leads.