Directors

Illustration of two rainbow trout fish with speckled bodies, fins, and mouths, set against a plain background.
Close-up of two rainbow trout fish, showing their heads and tails, on a plain background.
Two detailed illustrated rainbow trout fish with speckled bodies and fins.

  • Brian is the General Manager of the Silver Hilton Steelhead Lodge, one of the most renowned fly fishing lodges on the Babine River. With decades of firsthand experience on the river, Brian brings deep knowledge of the Babine watershed and its unique steelhead fishery. His leadership at Silver Hilton reflects a commitment to conservation-minded operations and responsible river stewardship. Brian’s insight into the ecology, access, and seasonal rhythms of the Babine supports the Babine River Foundation’s mission to protect and preserve this world-class river system.

  • Billy Labonte is a seasoned fishing and hunting guide with over three decades of experience on the Babine River. He began his guiding career in the early 1990s at the Silver Hilton Steelhead Lodge, learning from renowned mentors like "Babine Bob" Wickwire and Lani Waller. In 1998, he joined Spatsizi Wilderness Vacations, where he met his wife, Carrie Collingwood. Together, they took over Babine Norlakes Steelhead Camp in 2012. Billy is also an accomplished bush pilot and a member of the Winston Rods Pro Staff Team. His deep connection to the Babine River fuels his commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism.

  • Carrie Collingwood brings a lifelong dedication to wilderness tourism and conservation. Raised in a family that has operated Spatsizi Wilderness Lodge since 1969, she earned a BA in Leisure Service Administration from the University of Victoria. Carrie has extensive experience in lodge management, marketing, and guiding, having co-managed Spatsizi Wilderness Vacations and Collingwood Bros. Guides & Outfitters for over 16 years. In 2012, she and her husband, Billy Labonte, became the owner/operators of Babine Norlakes Steelhead Camp on the Babine River. Carrie is also a trustee of the SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, advocating for the protection of salmon and steelhead ecosystems in British Columbia.

Advisors

Close-up of two rainbow trout fish with spotted bodies and fins.

  • Richard Overstall is a lawyer with a focus on environmental and Indigenous law. He has served as legal counsel for the Babine River Foundation, providing expertise on legal matters related to land use, conservation, and Indigenous rights. Richard has also contributed to scholarly work on property rights within kinship-based legal systems

  • John McMillan is a renowned fish biologist and conservationist with a deep commitment to wild steelhead and salmon recovery. He holds a Master’s in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University and has authored over two dozen peer-reviewed studies on salmonid ecology and habitat. John has served as Science Director for Trout Unlimited’s Wild Steelhead Initiative and is currently the President of The Conservation Angler, where he leads efforts to protect wild fish populations in the Pacific Northwest.

Close-up of two rainbow trout fish with speckled bodies, one showing its head and the other a partial view of the tail.

  • Dave Imbach is a seasoned communications professional with a background in strategy and design. He has held leadership roles in various organizations, focusing on effective communication strategies to support environmental initiatives. His expertise lies in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

Illustration of two rainbow trout fish, showing their side profile, with detailed scales and fins.

  • Sarah Railton is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) in British Columbia and Alberta, and the proprietor of Naiad Stewardship Solutions Inc. Since 2011, she has worked extensively in the Skeena, Nass, Stikine, and Kitimat watersheds, focusing on sustainable forestry practices and ecosystem restoration. Sarah has contributed to projects aimed at improving land and resource management, including initiatives to restore riparian zones and enhance forest resilience.

Illustration of two fish with spotted bodies and fins on a plain background.

  • Dr. Karen Price and Dave Daust are respected ecologists and land-use planners specializing in forest ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. They have collaborated on developing monitoring frameworks for land-use plans, particularly in the Babine watershed. Their work emphasizes adaptive management and the protection of old-growth forests, contributing significantly to sustainable resource management in British Columbia.

Illustration of two rainbow trout fish facing opposite directions.

  • Len Vanderstar is a Registered Professional Biologist and Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society with over 35 years of experience in forestry and conservation biology in Northwest British Columbia. Based in Smithers, he has dedicated his career to habitat protection, particularly within the Babine River watershed. Len is known for his work on grizzly bear conservation and ecosystem restoration projects aimed at enhancing wildlife habitats.

Two realistic illustrations of rainbow trout fish, showing their dorsal fins, bodies, and heads.