Paul Mero (he/him)

Executive Director
647-258-3280 x 2005
paul@ecospark.ca 

Paul’s Bachelor of Political Science degree taught him that democracies only work when citizens are engaged. Combining that understanding with his love of natural spaces, he has pursued a career in the environmental not-for-profit sector. EcoSpark’s focus on citizen science offers an exciting new opportunity for him to build on his past work helping individuals understand and tackle environmental challenges.

Dana Buchbinder (she/her)

Citizen Science Program Manager
647-258-3280 x 2003
dana@ecospark.ca

Dana is an active member of the Citizen Science Association. She graduated in 2012 with a Masters of Environmental Management degree from Duke University, where she loved field studies that had her buzzing with bumblebees. She has led research on the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas (Ontario Nature), community air sensors (U.S. EPA), and Delaware StreamWatch (Ashland Nature Center) citizen science projects. Dana leads EcoSpark’s citizen science programs, including the School Watch and Park Watch programs.

Livia Antony (she/her)

Citizen Science Lead Educator
647-258-3280 x 2003
livia@ecospark.ca

Livia’s passion for the sciences and the natural world led her to pursue a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Geology from Mumbai, India. Her growing desire to work in the field of sustainability and conservation brought her to Canada to pursue the Master of Environment and Sustainability program at Western University. Using her knowledge and skills acquired through this multidisciplinary learning, she now works as the Citizen Science Lead Educator, engaging students, schools and community groups in environmental citizen science monitoring activities across the GTA and provides support to the Greenbelt Youth Ambassadors Program.

Sara Kuruvilla (she/her)

Environmental Education Coordinator
647-258-3280 x 2011
sarak@ecospark.ca

Sara’s passion for conservation and wildlife led to a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology and an advanced diploma in Ecosystem Management Technology, with an Indigenous Perspectives Designation. To develop a sustainable future, Sara believes it is vital to engage communities with their local natural spaces. Using her OBBN certification and knowledge of freshwater ecosystems, Sara now coordinates the Changing Currents program in the hopes to pass on her love for aquatic creepy crawlies that are vital to Canada’s watersheds.

Humaira Enayetullah (she/her)

Digital Mapping Specialist and Environmental Education Assistant
647-258-3280 x 2011
humaira@ecospark.ca

Humaira is a recent graduate of the Master of Environmental Science program at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta. Studying the environment and using adaptive ways to find solutions to the current and future problems is what attracted her to do her undergrad in this field with a specialization in Geographic Information Systems. As a digital mapping specialist and environmental education assistant, Humaira is keen to contribute towards incorporating mapping to visualize and solve local environmental issues in the GTA and encourage youth participation in environmental protection and sustainable management.

Thea Ara (she/her)

Environmental Education Intern
647-258-3280 x 2003
thea@ecospark.ca

Thea’s love for the natural environment led her to achieve her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies concentrating in Environmental Management at York University. Thea believes that positive change is possible, and everyone has a role to play in the protection of the environment. She hopes to teach youth about the importance of the natural environment and appreciate its impact on our daily lives, to come to love and enjoy the natural spaces around them. As an Environmental Education Intern, Thea supports the School Watch program providing experiential education opportunities for youth across the GTA, sharing her knowledge to ignite a passion for the environment.

Rhiannon Carruthers (they/them)

Seasonal Environmental Educator
647-258-3280 x 2003
rhiannon@ecospark.ca

Rhiannon’s love of nature and passion for environmental justice drew them to study Environmental Conservation at Guelph University after specializing in Interactive Digital Media at University of Toronto. Rhiannon believes in inspiring youth to engage with the natural world and empowering them to protect and sustain it. As the Seasonal Environmental Educator, they facilitate nature connections using various citizen science monitoring activities to better inform EcoSpark participants about their local environments.

Emily Moffat (she/her)

Seasonal Program Delivery Assistant
647-258-3280 x 2003
emilym@ecospark.ca

Emily is a current student at the University of Toronto studying Environmental Science and Environmental Ethics, with a Certificate in Sustainability. Her passion for spending time in the natural world, sharing nature with her community and preserving it for future generations led her to pursue this degree. Using the skills developed through her studies, Emily works as a Seasonal Environmental Educator supporting the School Watch program.

Kumal Udamulla (he/him)

Seasonal Program Delivery Assistant
647-258-3280 x 2011
kumal@ecospark.ca

Kumal is a fourth-year student at the University of Toronto pursuing a Bachelor's in Environmental Science and Environmental Biology. His deep fascination with the sciences and the environment has helped him study phosphorus in urban water bodies and aquatic ecosystems. Kumal loves working in the field and enjoys analyzing and finding relationships in environmental data. He hopes to further develop his knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and help engage the youth and the public in the sciences. In his spare time, Kumal loves birdwatching and cycling around the GTA.

Karen Bennedsen (she/her)

Financial and Office Administrator
647-258-3280 x 2002
accounts@ecospark.ca

Karen helps EcoSpark bring about positive change by taking care of the finances and office. She finds creative ways to reuse or repurpose broken monitoring equipment and helps eliminate waste everywhere possible. Karen is an avid bike rider and also works as a gardener, both which keep her outdoors as much as possible.