Theresa Loewen, Director

Theresa is a Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.) specializing in Agroecology, with areas of practice including: Land evaluation, classification, mapping, conservation, and management; Protection and management of environmental resources; and Land restoration, reclamation, and remediation. She has worked in government, non-profit, academic, and private sectors in the areas of agricultural and environmental consulting, teaching, education and extension, finance, and management in Kelowna, BC for the past 8 years. She is a Master’s graduate from the University of British Columbia, Okanagan as part of the research team with The Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services (BRAES). Her thesis titled “Integrating Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity in Landscape Management for Multifunctional Agroecosystems: A Case Study in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia,” specializes in applied Agroecology. Her research focuses on integrating ecological values and the principles of sustainable and regenerative agriculture into land management strategies designed to conserve the sensitive ecosystems, species at risk, and natural biodiversity on agricultural and privately owned lands, while supporting the agricultural industry and farming communities in the Okanagan. Theresa is passionate about facilitating knowledge transfer within the community through teaching, extension, and mentorship, and is actively involved as a volunteer board member with several local organizations, including acting as a council member for the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council, and as President of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists, Okanagan Branch, and mentor to Articling Agrologists.