Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee
Worth Wading Into
Our Staff
Project Manager
Ben Whalen
Ben Whalen started working with the KWRC in 1995 as a Habitat Technician and worked here for three summers after he received his diploma in Environmental Technology at NBCC Miramichi. After pursuing various contracts and other opportunities in his field, he returned to the KWRC as Project Manager in 2007.
Ben loves the fact that he can work in his field and make a positive difference here in his home town. Ben and his wife, Michelle, raise their two children, and attempt a garden, while living in Sussex. Ben also loves to reap the rewards of his work as an avid angler and can often be found wading down local streams casting a line as often as he can be found measuring their depths and widths.
His familiarity and passion for the Kennebecasis watershed has proven to be an asset for the KWRC and he wants to continue to improve the watershed while also improving local communities.
Restoration Coordinator
Annie McMullon
Annie graduated from the Aquatic Health and Resource Management program at St.FX in 2023. She grew up in Rothesay and spent many years kayaking, swimming, and exploring the Kennebecasis River. Annie started working for the KWRC in the spring of 2024 and has loved every minute of it! She is eager to expand her terrestrial knowledge and learn as much as possible about restoration work and beyond. In her free time, Annie enjoys playing with her cat, Wader, camping, and playing rugby.
Education Outreach Coordinator
Ellen MacGillivray
Ellen began with the KWRC as a summer student in 2021 and returned the following winter after completing her Biology degree at UNBSJ.
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Ellen enjoys spending time in the woods, taking photos or recording observations in a handmade nature journal. She also loves to read, write, forage, craft, and learn. Ellen enjoys that her position with the KWRC allows her to think creatively and connect with the community.
Being exposed to the work that goes into conservation efforts and to so many people with a shared passion for ecosystem protection has been an extremely positive experience. This job will serve as a valuable stepping stone to her dream career – yet undecided! She hopes to one day work closely with plants and fungi for the betterment of both the environment and human experience.
Kate began working as our Restoration Coordinator at the KWRC in the fall of 2023. In the summer of 2024, she became our Monitoring Coordinator. She grew up in Belleisle and loves being in nature, hiking with her dog Cera, kayaking, and reading. Kate graduated from the Medical Laboratory Assistant program at NBCC Saint John in 2012 and worked in the laboratory science field in Alberta for many years. Since she started with the KWRC, Kate has developed a slight obsession with the iNaturalist app! She is very excited to gain more field experience and continue creating a positive impact on the environment in her community.
Monitoring Coordinator
Kate Vey
Agricultural Stewardship Coordinator
Laura Lavigne
From 2021 – 2023 Laura held various roles for the KWRC. In the fall of 2023, she returned to the University of New Brunswick to complete a Master of Environmental Management. After completing her master's, she returned to the KWRC to continue her passion for environmental protection and restoration as the Agricultural Stewardship Coordinator. Laura is excited to further develop her skills and knowledge and create new community connections in this role.​
Laura loves to spend time with friends, family, and her cat. She also enjoys
hiking, hockey (ice and ball), ultimate football, and exploring new ecosystems.
Her goals are to continue learning how to identify songbirds and diversify her plant
identification skills. Laura also hopes the creativity of her colleagues will help her become more artistic.