Our Team
Giles Shearing, M.Sc., A.Sc.T. | Principal/Lead Consultant
Giles is SCL’s founder and Principal Consultant. Over the past 17 years Giles has worked on over 350 projects throughout British Columbia. He has a broad range of expertise that includes environmental science, river ecology, ornithology, civil construction and the management of small to large complex projects. Giles has grown his company around the core values of collaboration, creativity, technological solutions, expert planning, and financial prudence. Giles worked previously for Envirowest Consultants in Vancouver and BC Hydro in Revelstoke.
Giles holds a B.Sc. (Honours) in Environmental Management from Royal Roads University and a M.Sc. degree in Environmental Science from the University of British Columbia. Since 2012 Giles has been a registered Applied Science Technologist (ASTTBC) with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia with a specialty in Environmental Engineering.
When not at work, you can find Giles outside with his family observing birds, exploring rivers, hiking, and skiing. Closer to home Giles enjoys playing his cello and looking for opportunities to engage in the community. Since 2009, Giles has been a Manager for Revelstoke Search and Rescue and hosts a weekly meditation.
Brett Elmslie, M.Sc., R.P.Bio. | Lead Biologist
Brett is a Lead Biologist for SCL. Brett has 8 years of experience in the environmental sector with a diverse background in aquatic ecology, fisheries biology and environmental management. As an Ontario transplant, Brett has lived in the southern interior since 2017, working in a variety of roles. Prior to joining SCL, Brett was the Fish & Fish Habitat Program Manager for the Elk River Alliance in Fernie, BC where he developed a research program aimed at improving our understanding of Westslope Cutthroat Trout population dynamics in the Elk River. Brett has also worked as an Invasive Plant Crew Supervisor for West Fork Resource Management in Sparwood, B.C. and as a Teaching Assistant while completing his Graduate Research at Queen’s University.
Brett graduated with a B.Sc. (Honours) in Marine & Freshwater Biology from the University of Guelph and a M.Sc. in Biology from Queen’s University. His master's thesis explored the response of phototropic communities to climate warming over the last 11,000 years in northeastern Ontario.
When not at work, you can find Brett hiking, biking, and exploring the surrounding mountains with his camera in tow. He is an active member and volunteer with Living Lakes Canada and Revelstoke Protect Our Winters (POW) Chapter and enjoys giving back to the local community!
Olivia Muir, M.Sc. | Environmental Specialist
Olivia is one of SCL's Field Technicians. Before making the move to Canada, Olivia was working as a Graduate Ecologist for Ecus Ltd. Most notably, she became a central member of the team assigned to monitor the ecological impact of the East West Rail expansion, including protected species surveys and development of trackside habitat management strategies. Olivia has always had a passion for the outdoors and volunteers whenever she can with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to maintain local nature reserves back in the UK, as well as organizing woodland management initiatives as a Green Space team leader during her masters studies.
Olivia graduated with a B.Sc. (Honors) in Geography from Swansea University and an M.Sc. in Environmental Consultancy from the University of the West of England. Her master's dissertation explored the success and future development of blanket bog restoration techniques in the Scottish Highlands.
When not at work, you can find Olivia camping, hiking and biking, whilst exploring the mountains surrounding Revelstoke and beyond!
Samara Kolasko, M.Sc., B.I.T. | Junior Biologist
Samara is a Junior Biologist at SCL. She has 6 years of experience in resource and land management with a background in wildlife restoration and terrestrial ecosystems. British Columbia born and raised, Samara has lived across the province from the north, southern interior, to the south coast, exposing her to a diverse set of ecosystems that constantly challenge her to learn. Prior to joining SCL, Samara has experience working for both environmental non-profits and governmental agencies. Most recently, she worked for Ducks Unlimited Canada with her role focusing on wetland assessments, predictive mapping, and monitoring marsh recession in Richmond and Delta’s foreshore habitats.
Samara graduated with a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Northern British Columbia and an M.Sc. in Ecological Restoration at Simon Fraser University. Her master’s thesis focused on at-risk raptor species restoration via habitat creation by monitoring prey response to vegetation and soil conditions. This research provided a set of recommendations and restoration techniques to improve prey abundance, and thus at-risk raptors, in BC’s Lower Mainland.
When not at work, you can find Samara by the water or in the mountains hiking, dirt-biking, snowboarding, or hanging out with her dog, Clover. She has also recently joined the Board of Directors for the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program.
Jacqueline Van Horne, Dip. | Environmental Technician
Jacqueline is an Environmental Technician for SCL. Before working at SCL, Jacqueline worked at Kokanee Creek Nature Center as a Naturalist during the summer of 2021. While at the Nature Center she taught programs for children and families on plants and animals found in the park, and Kokanee Salmon spawning. She also worked along side Fisheries Technicians helping maintain the spawning channel in the park and doing bankful counts for spawners. During the final year of RFW, Jacqueline completed a research project on Kokanee Salmon shore spawners in the West Arm of Kootenay Lake. This project looked at the draw down of lake levels during the late winter months and how they affect the number of shore spawner fry. She grew up in Nelson B.C and has a passion for working in the outdoors.
Jacqueline recently graduated from Selkirk College in Recreation Fish and Wildlife (RFW) with a technical diploma. Through this program she learned about wildlife and fisheries management among other studies. In the RFW program she developed skills in report writing, stream assessments, CABIN sampling, electrofishing, and plant/animal identification.
Outside of work you can find Jacqueline climbing or hiking around Revelstoke or anywhere else in BC.
Kathy Horkely | Senior Administrator
Kathy Horkley is SCL’s Senior Administrator. Originally from the UK, Kathy arrived in Canada in 2008. She has a background in Microsoft Certified Software Test Engineering and prior to moving to Canada, worked primarily within the private sector, as well as for some busy departments in local government. Since moving to Revelstoke, Kathy has been in the Office Administration business; working with several local companies. She has experience as an Office Manger and Administrative Assistant and has also worked as a Personal Assistant to an Area Manager for an electronics company.
When not at work, you can find Kathy helping her “Brew master” husband as they brew their own recipes from scratch, hitting the mountain bike trails, or getting out for adventures with her dogs. Kathy also enjoys the challenge of hosting and cooking for Medieval Banquets, as she is a self-confessed “foodie” and loves to socialize over food and drinks. Kathy’s spirit of adventure has even taken her to the skies, as she once abseiled over 100 ft off the side of a building for charity!