​As the principal consultant of Goldeneye Ecological Services, Rachel Darvill has nearly 30 years of experience in conservation biology, wildlife research and environmental project design and management.  She has a broad range of expertise, but specializes in avian ecology, species-at-risk recovery, habitat enhancement and ecosystem monitoring with a strong emphasis on community-based science and multi-stakeholder collaboration. 

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Rachel has been the founder and lead biologist of several projects that have gathered vital baseline data for migratory and resident bird populations within one of North America's most significant wetland ecosystems. Her work bridges rigorous scientific methodology with accessible outreach, making her a trusted voice in environmental stewardship throughout the Columbia Basin and beyond.

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Rachel has worked with a wide range of governmental and non-profit organizations, including Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners, Kootenay Connect, Wildsight, BC Parks, and local Indigenous communities. She is deeply committed to ecosystem conservation and knowledge-sharing, regularly contributing to regional conservation strategies, scientific publications, and public education efforts. Rachel and her team have significantly advanced species-at-risk conservation in the Columbia Valley, providing valuable data and strategies for habitat protection and species recovery.

Verena is an Ecological Field Technician, providing field and data management support for wildlife monitoring and habitat conservation projects in the Columbia Valley. Since joining Goldeneye in 2016, she has contributed to a wide range of initiatives focused on species at risk, habitat enhancement, and long-term ecological monitoring.

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Her project experience includes work on our Upper Columbia Swallow Habitat Enhancement Project, Columbia Valley American Badger and Western Painted Turtle conservation projects, Tree Swallow Nest Box Monitoring Program, Marsh Bird Monitoring Program, Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey, and monitoring Lewis’s Woodpecker. She is skilled in standardized wildlife survey methods, nest monitoring, habitat observation, and careful collection and recording of field data.

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Verena has a strong background in data management and plays an important role in maintaining accurate, well-organized ecological datasets that support technical reporting and conservation planning. She brings excellent attention to detail, strong observational skills, and a thorough knowledge of local bird, plant, and mammal species. Her work reflects a long-standing commitment to conservation and stewardship, and she is a valued member of the Goldeneye Ecological Services team.

John is a Field Technician with Goldeneye Ecological Services, providing hands-on support for habitat enhancement and wildlife conservation projects throughout the Columbia Valley. His work includes installation and maintenance of nesting boxes, construction and repair of habitat enhancement structures, installation of wildlife cameras, and assisting with the creation of turtle nesting beds and other specialized habitat features for species at risk.

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He brings strong practical skills, attention to detail, and a reliable, solutions-focused approach to fieldwork. His contributions support the successful implementation of conservation projects and help ensure high-quality, durable habitat enhancements that benefit wildlife over the long term.

Marie-Ange is the founder and lead GIS Consultant at Vivid Geographic, based in the West Kootenays. With a passion for translating complex data into practical, on-the-ground conservation tools, she brings extensive mapping and analytical expertise to the Goldeneye Ecological team.

 

Marie-Ange collaborates closely with Rachel on critical wildlife initiatives, most recently serving as the lead spatial analyst for the American Badger highway culvert prioritization project. This detailed spatial analysis is designed to identify the highest-priority wildlife crossing locations along Kootenay highways.

 

Over the years, she has also provided dedicated mapping and analytical support for various research Goldeneye projects funded by the Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) Priority Places initiative. Whether analyzing terrain features, mapping habitat connectivity, or building interactive web maps, Marie-Ange is dedicated to helping ecologists make better, data-driven decisions for British Columbia’s landscapes.

Christian is an ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide, working year-round in the mountains of British Columbia and other parts of the world. He is passionate about wild places and keenly involved with a variety of conservation initiatives in BC.

 

With Goldeneye Ecological Services, Christian is involved with the Southeastern BC Black Swift Project, where he supports access to remote nesting areas and assists with fieldwork in technical terrain. His work has included installing monitoring equipment to better understand microhabitat conditions at Black Swift nest sites, and he will be contributing to habitat surveys in steep and complex environments. He also provides valuable insight into recreational activities that may overlap with Black Swift habitat, helping to bridge conservation priorities with the mountain recreation community.

 

Before transitioning to guiding, Christian worked as a scientist in a solar panel research lab for three years and holds a BSc in Engineering Physics from Queen’s University. Originally from southern Ontario, he has lived in western Canada since 2015 and now calls Golden, BC home.