About Me

I am a young professional living in the Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. I attended my first United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in Japan in 2010 and quickly became a strong advocate for youth engagement, and intergenerational dialogues in conservation decision-making processes. In addition to helping develop a recognized youth stakeholder designation within the United Nations CBD meetings, I also co-founded the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, which now has youth members in over 90 countries. I have a particular interest in the role that protected areas can play in biodiversity conservation, especially protected area connectivity. I also have leadership roles within a variety of other organizations, including as a member of the Canadian Committee for IUCN Board of Directors, and the Youth Advisory Group for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

My research and professional interests include protected areas, connectivity, citizen/community-based monitoring, environmental impact assessment, and northern research communication. I am very passionate about contributing back to the northern and western mountainous regions that surround me. I am also an avid geocacher and love trail running.

Linkedin:https://ca.linkedin.com/in/shailyndrukis