Waverley Birch, MES | RPBio | RPP | MCIP

Experience

Waverley (she/her) is a Senior Planner and Ecology Researcher with Firelight, supporting the Ecology and Planning & Implementation teams. She is a settler with historical roots from Europe, including Ireland and Germany, who is currently living on the territories of the Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda, Tsuut’ina, Niitsítapi (Blackfoot), Métis, and Ktunaxa peoples. Waverley is committed to supporting Indigenous-led work that has benefits for communities and ecosystems.

Waverley is both a Registered Professional Biologist and Registered Professional Planner who holds a Masters of Environmental Studies in Planning and Bachelors of Science in Biology. She has a background in wetland ecology and policy, including published graduate research that examined trends in wetland loss and landscape connectivity. Waverley has extended her research work to a professional practice that helps to bring ecological ways of knowing into planning and policy applications. She has worked with Indigenous Nations on projects that include large-scale ecosystem restoration, policy and program creation, and technical review of major projects with ecological impacts. Waverley’s experience with planning processes allows her to identify ecological protection and restoration opportunities that advance client’s rights and interests.

In her spare time, you can find Waverley enjoying any sport that gets her outside, reading, painting, and throwing sticks for her scruffy terrier, Norma.