Staff

Gretchen Fitzgerald - Director

Tel: (902) 444-3113

Email: gretchenf - at - sierraclub.ca

Gretchen Fitzgerald is the Director of the Atlantic Canada Chapter of Sierra Club. Her work focuses on environmental impacts of mines, volunteer engagement, and climate change. Having grown up in northern Newfoundland, Gretchen witnessed the impacts of  the collapse of the cod fishery on her community, and was drawn to marine biology and conservation ecology as a student at Dalhousie University. She has produced a report on the harpoon swordfish fishery, spearheaded activity on marine invasive species and ballast water management in Atlantic Canada, and is currently working to make decrease the ecological footprint of mines and to get action on climate change. Gretchen has participated as an expert in numerous environmental assessments, including the Joint Panel Review for the Digby Quarry. She is vice-chair of the Nova Scotia Environmental Network, Director of the Canadian Environmental Network, and represents Sierra Club in the Nova Scotia Public Lands Coalition.

Cate grew up in the Sierra Club National office in Ottawa and spent many summers on the Margaree beach in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Her concern for the Earth’s systems and biology in the wake of human industrial impacts took hold at an early age. She worked on numerous youth committees, creative, political and environmental, with a desire to raise awareness of climate change and reduce the environmental damage of her community’s activity. As a student of contemporary philosophy at University of King’s College, she examines society, politics and culture, asking critical questions about the world we share. She is the Sustainability Officer of her Student Union and researches sustainable energy and transportation in the Atlantic region at the Atlantic Chapter office.