Faces of Ecospark
EcoSpark is made possible with the dedication of a passionate group of full and part-time staff as well as students and interns! Take some time to get to know the people who make our programs thrive.
Ecospark’s staff members are at the core of the organization. They run our day-to-day operations, and provide invaluable experience behind the scenes and in program delivery. To view their bios, visit our staff page linked below.
Students and Interns
EcoSpark is proud to help support the next generation of environmental leaders through high school co-op placements, as well as university partnerships and early-career internships. We provide students with the opportunity to gain experience working in the environmental field and engaging with educational institutions. The students help us increase the reach of program delivery for participants and strengthen our work.
Alissa (she/her),
University of Waterloo Student
My name is Alissa Gallizzi, and I am a a current master's student at the University of Waterloo studying social and ecological sustainability. In my second year, I am developing a multi-level project that aims to explore how short-term exposure to nature may elicit the characteristics of a "significant nature situation" for youth audiences. Environmental education is a passion of mine, stemming from various experiences working as an animal educator for childrens’ programming, and my experience at the Toronto Zoo teaching families and youth groups about wild species survival adaptability. I has joined Eco Spark because I believe organizations as such are solutions to combatting the extinction of experience, and encourage future generations to become stewards of the environment.
Ethan (he/him),
University of Toronto Student
My name is Ethan and I am a 4th year undergrad student at the University of Toronto. I am currently double majoring in Physics and Environmental Science. My passion for weather and mitigating climate change has led me to work on several individual projects. The one I take most pride in is a paper published in Junior High titled “Climate Change and its effects on two cities” in the Journal of Emerging Investigators.
I also enjoy running, taking care of my two cats and analyzing weather data in my free time. As an environmental outreach intern at Ecospark, I am extremely excited to do my part to help bring communities together through environmental science.
Fiona (she/her),
University of Toronto Student
My name is Fiona and I’m in my fourth year studying Human Geography, Urban Studies, and Geographic Information System at UofT. I’m passionate about becoming an urban planner, with the goal of helping cities grow in ways that are both resilient and sustainable in the face of today’s environmental and social challenges.
A lot of my academic work has focused on environmental racism, where marginalized neighbourhoods often lack equal access to environmental benefits like green spaces while bearing a disproportionate burden of environmental hazards. Confronting these inequities has shaped how I think about planning and helped me recognize that true resilience cannot be built through infrastructure alone; it must come from people and the collective strengths of their communities.
I am excited to bring this perspective to EcoSpark and look forward to contributing to its mission of empowering communities to build healthier, more sustainable futures!
Meadow (she/her),
University of Toronto Student
My name is Meadow and I am currently pursuing my Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto, majoring in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, and Environmental Science, with a minor in Science, Technology, and Society.
Some of my recent involvement within my community involves my role as a Resident Don at Victoria College, where I support incoming students in their adjustment to residence. My former role as Burwash Building President, where I planned programs for our 250 student resident building. I also write for the Science Column of my student newspaper, recently on topics like the downfall of the Paris Agreement, the newfound rise of AI, and scientific research cuts in America. Additionally, I volunteer with the TRCA as a Meadoway Ambassador.
The past two summers I have also worked at Kesagami Wilderness Lodge, a remote conservation-based fishing lodge. This experience furthered my love and appreciation of nature, and was a life-changing opportunity.
I am so excited for the chance to work with EcoSpark, and promote those to engage with the environment around us and via education on conservation and sustainability—putting what I’ve studied into action.
Misha (she/her),
York University Student
My name is Misha and I’m in my final year of a bachelor’s degree in Global Geography at York University where I have developed a strong passion for environmental sustainability.
I’m excited to volunteer with Eco Spark. I believe in the work they do to support the environment and engage communities. I’m looking forward to learning new skills, meeting passionate people and making a positive difference together.
Nick (he/him),
University of Toronto Student
Hi! My name is Nick—I'm a second year student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a double major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Science, working my first year with Ecospark as part of University of Toronto’s Research Opportunities Program. With Ecospark, I’m going to be focusing on learning about community science methods, and the ways we can promote excitement and communication across large and diverse communities.
I'm specifically interested in the creation of urban wilderness, as well as habitat reconstruction and revitalization—a lot of which is driven by my growing up in Toronto. I've always loved walking in Toronto’s urban parks, like Tommy Thompson and High Park; they're great ways to reconnect with nature and relieve some stress, and it's always nice to see the way nature can thrive in unnatural environments. I'm super excited to get to work here!
Nyah (she/her),
University of Toronto Student
My name is Nyah and I am entering my final year at UofT, completing a double major in Human Geography & Sociology! My passion is to learn about how groups of people interact in an environmental space and seeing the impact climate change has on our society!
I love Niagara on the Lake and hiking in many national parks! I want to take the time to explore more and try out new hiking sites across the country!
Raquel (she/her),
University of Toronto Student
I’m Raquel, and I have a background in the digital humanities and writing. I am a winner of the Woodsworth College prize for the digital humanities for research I have done on the housing inequity and zoning bylaws. This award recognized my work with story-maps. I have worked on knowledge translation for the School of Cities, where I have explored interests in housing injustice, climate grief/worry, infrastructure and urban planning. I am a mentor for the organization Humanities for Humanity as well.
Sumaaya (she/her),
University of Toronto Student
My name is Sumayya; I am in my last semester of my bachelor's degree in environmental science and Earth and Environmental Systems at UofT. And I am interested in pursuing a career in renewable energy or education! I am excited to learn more about citizen science and volunteering in educational programs for our community.
My favourite natural space must be the Glen Eagles Vista Trail at the Rouge National Urban Park. It has amazing views of the river and the landscape is stunning during the fall. Also has great geological features which is a beautiful site as a rock lover!
Retired Teachers
Recently, EcoSpark has welcomed retired teachers to our team. They have brought a wealth of knowledge, supporting with program delivery, content development and staff training.
David (he/him),
Retired OCT
I taught secondary school in Pickering for 30 years, the last 20 of which I had the gift of EcoSpark involvement. From Changing Currents, to WattWize, Sparking Science, the Greenbelt Youth Charter and serving on the EcoSpark Board for 8 years, my involvement has been exceptionally enriching, both personally and professionally.
Now I am semi-retired, working each fall at the Boundless School in Palmer Rapids and its 600 acre classroom on the Madawaska River. This allows me the time to help EcoSpark deliver programs across the GTA as one member of their Gently Used Teacher team.
My favourite outdoor place in the GTA has to be the Bear Road Wetland in the Rouge. Myself and my students played a small part helping Friends of the Rouge Watershed in creating this wetland, so it is personally a very meaningful place while being beautiful and so full of life.
Ellen (she/her),
Retired OCT
My name is Ellen and I am a retired biology teacher. I have loved doing outdoor activities with EcoSpark, especially the bird surveys, tree id and stream studies programs, over the past two years.
I have been volunteering in my grandson's kindergarten and discovering more of Toronto's lovely walking trails since retiring.
My favourite Toronto outdoor space is the Rosetta McClain Gardens near the Scarborough Bluffs, well known in the birding community.
Ken (he/him),
Retired OCT
Hi, my name is Ken and I am a retired Toronto elementary teacher and outdoor educator for the past 2 years. I am currently supporting various outdoor initiatives and education programs around the GTA, including some of the citizen science programs offered by EcoSpark.
At the moment I am interested in the connecting green corridors from the Oakridge’s Moraine to around the Toronto area, such as, the new Uxbridge Provincial Park lands and the Rouge National Park. I continue to look forward to learning with youth and helping people connect to the outdoors in various contexts!
Our retired teachers also include:
Lori (she/her), Retired OCT
Brian (he/him), Retired OCT
