Jen, Shelby and the Rising Tide Tour 2009

Who we are

Jennifer McGowan // email
I am currently a Master’s student at Dalhousie University studying International Development Studies. Before this degree I did my undergrad in Environmental Studies-Geography and Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Waterloo. I was born in Toronto and grew up in Oshawa, Ontario. Besides all that, I’ve had stints working tons of different types of jobs, including in various government ministries, as a waste and water plant operator, as a bar keep in a pub in Ireland, as a YMCA Sports camp organizer, as an underwriters’ assistant in a financial firm, as a student alumni caller/fundraiser, as a residence don, as a supply teacher and as a tour guide. I love the outdoors (hiking, camping…) and I love meeting new people, going to new places, and learning new things.

Shelby Tay // email
After studying a blur of chemical reactions, numbers and theories at UBC, I started working on community projects around Vancouver and coordinating relocalize.net, an international network of citizen-driven initiatives working to address peak oil and climate change. I am most inspired by community-based responses that value diversity and local knowledge, and have helped coordinate programs and events for Vancouver’s 30 Days of Sustainability, A Loving Spoonful, Global Habitat Festival, Dunbar Salmonberry Days, Climate Cafes Collective and most recently Transition US. I love taking photos, baking bread, and fixing bikes and secretly wish avocados were native to Nova Scotia…