Our Advisory Team and the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association’s EcoAdventures Committee have been integral to designing EcoAdventure programming bringing together the diverse expertise needed to create our experiences that are safe, environmentally responsible, culturally respectful, and truly engaging! Our Advisors who have backgrounds in ecology, conservation, outdoor leadership, and Indigenous knowledge, help ensure activities protect natural habitats, follow best practices, and respect the land and communities connected to it. Our Advisory Team also comes from a diverse background right here on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula further strengthening our community partnerships and collaborations.
Current Advisors
Mike Sehl
Mike Sehl
Dr. Mike Sehl is a dedicated conservationist and the Board Lead for EcoAdventures at the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (BPBA). A former clinician with over 30 years of experience at St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener, Mike now channels his passion for nature into environmental education and sustainable tourism.
A longtime seasonal resident of the Bruce Peninsula, Mike’s connection to the region goes back more than 40 years—ever since his wife first introduced him to its rugged beauty. As a grandfather, he is deeply motivated to preserve the peninsula’s unique ecosystems, ensuring that future generations can enjoy and protect this ecological treasure. Under his leadership, EcoAdventures offers guided tours and immersive wilderness experiences—such as Snowshoeing to the Grotto, hiking, innovative Outdoor Escape Rooms and fun Fat Bike Tours—all designed to educate participants about the peninsula’s ecology in a fun and meaningful way. Mike strongly believes in the power of experiential learning: “through education everyone can become ambassadors for the environment, we can protect, preserve, and sustain a Peninsula that is worthy of the world stage.”
Original Advisory Team
Rod Steinacher
Rod spent his career as a science and outdoor education teacher and is an avid birder, astronomer and photographer and wilderness explorer. He has served for several years as the President of the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory and provided input into the Bird Atlas and participated in countless bird counts. He is a seasoned astronomer and leads star gazing sessions on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry and workshops on photography. He has devoted countless volunteer hours to conservation on the Bruce.
Laura (Sagermann) Burnside
Laura moved to the Bruce Peninsula in 2016, and has fallen in love with the spectacular landscape and natural beauty of the area. She is passionate about nature interpretation, education and sustainable tourism, and is excited to support the Biosphere association as a board member. Laura has a background in teaching, and specialized in Outdoor Education at the Queen’s Faculty of Education. She is currently in the position of Product Development Officer with Bruce Peninsula/Fathom Five National Parks, and is working to develop sustainable tourism initiatives and quality visitor experiences to build connections with visitors.
Daryl W. Cowell, B.A., M.Sc., P.Geo.
Daryl was born in Hamilton, Ontario where he attended McMaster University in the geology and physical geography program. He specialized in karst geomorphology - the study of the formation of caves and associated landforms.
He began to study the geology and karst of the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Peninsula through his undergraduate and Masters’ theses research. Daryl worked for Environment Canada between 1976 and 1989 on several national and international projects but since then worked as a geoscience consultant with two environmental firms he co-founded. He moved to the Tobermory area in 2002 where he now works as an independent geoscience consultant. His work experience covers much of Ontario as well as northern and central Manitoba, northern Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Internationally he has worked in Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Peru, Uruguay, Romania, and Nigeria. He has given numerous guided walks, presentations, and courses within the local area and published a number of scientific papers. In 2004, he co-authored a book on the Geology and Landforms of Grey and Bruce Counties produced by the Owen Sound Field Naturalists.
Don Wilkes
Don Wilkes was raised in the foothills of Alberta and passed his university years studying biology at the University of Alberta. He had a 36-year career in National Parks and worked in 5 different parks including one in Australia. Don finished his career as the Manager of Interpretation and Visitor Service for Bruce Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five National Marine Park. At the end of his career Don particularly enjoyed coordinating the development of the exhibits for new visitor centre for the Parks. Don is now retired and resides in Tobermory.