Meet the Board
Lisa Banks
Lisa left the GTA behind and moved to Horseshoe Valley in March 2013 to work at Georgian College. Always interested in discovering trails where her dog could safely run, a neighbour introduced her to the delights of the Copeland Forest. Some of her best memories, since moving to this beautiful part of the province, are walking/hiking in the Copeland with friends, family, and dogs. A relative newcomer to the garlic mustard pull, Lisa and her partner Barb, jumped inwith hands and feet to help quell the impact of this invasive plant to help preserve the splendid spring flowers we so enjoy, especially the precious trilliums.
Ann Marie Markle
It is with great pleasure and passion that I take on the role of Mountain bike Director for the Copeland Forest Friends. I have been an active volunteer since becoming a member of this dedicated group in 2018 helping with the garlic mustard pulling and assisting with keeping trails clear of forest debris when necessary.
Having lived abroad for many years I knew when I returned to Ontario that I wanted to live close to a natural environment to enjoy my various outdoor pursuits such as hiking, snow shoeing, cross country skiing and my greatest passion, mountain biking. I have had the pleasure of riding in many different places and feel very privileged to live close to the natural beauty of Copeland Forest to enjoy this and other activities in all seasons with like-minded friends.
I look forward to continuing to make a positive contribution as an active board member bringing my experience, skills and knowledge in keeping the integrity of the forest sustainable for future enjoyment.
Don McKinnon
Don and his wife moved from the GTHA to Horseshoe in Summer 2021. He is a
Registered Professional Planner and semi-retired environmental planning consultant.
Don spends most of his leisure time in the outdoors and is an avid cyclist (mountain,
gravel and fat), hiker, dog walker, and “bushwhack” skier. He enjoys exploring new
areas and getting “lost” in the woods. He has travelled throughout North America and
other places in the world to bike and hike on trails.
Pat Tuero
Mark Zielinski
After years of coming up from Toronto on weekends to xc ski, mountain bike, and hike in Copeland Forest, my wife and I finally bought our retirement home in Horseshoe Valley in 2010. Even back then we knew that Copeland Forest was a special place.
Since retiring in 2016 I have tried to give back to the Forest by water testing, garlic mustard pulling, and most recently as a member of the Trail Committee. I will now do my best to preserve and protect the Forest by serving on the board.
David Myles
I have lived full time in the neighbourhood for 12 years now and part time for another 7 years. I love the Copeland for the biking and even more so for snowy bushwhacks on skis, off the trails, in the deep snows of winter. The beautiful forests, streams and quiet meadows of the Copeland are great places to unwind from the urban world.
Len Cater
I have lived on the edge of the Copeland forest. Since 2011 and have been skiing in the forest since 1978.
An avid XC skier and Mountain biker, I also snowshoe and hike through the entire range of the forest. A father of 3 grown children, they too have had the pleasure of spending time in this wonderful resource.
Catherine Blakely
Kyra Howes
Kyra has been enjoying hiking in Copeland Forest for almost 20 years and is the ‘Naturalist’ representative on the Copeland Forest Friends board of directors.
Kyra’s career has been focused in the field of conservation, working on various invasive species projects in Southern Ontario, then as the Stewardship Manager at the Couchiching Conservancy and currently as the Manager of Lands & Operations with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.
Kyra lives with her family in a straw-bale house near Moonstone.