About
The Certification Committee was formed in 2017 to revitalize TWS’s Wildlife Biologist Certification Program in Canada. The structure of the committee reflects a membership intent on achieving two goals:
- To work with TWS to see how the present certification program can be made more appealing to Canadian wildlife biologists
- To work towards establishing national standards for practicing wildlife professionals across Canada.
Additional information can be found in our TWS Certification Brochure
and on the TWS website
Contact Us
For any inquiries, questions or to become involved with the Certification Committee, please email us at certification@cstws.ca
Committee Members
The Certification Committee was formed in 2017 to revitalize TWS’s Wildlife Biologist Certification Program in Canada. The structure of the committee reflects a membership intent on achieving two goals:
Certification Committee Chair
Don Barnes CWB® | TWS Fellow
In 2013, Don retired from Lakehead University after 40 years of service, where he worked to develop their first fish and wildlife management program within the Faculty of Natural Resources Management. He has been a professional trapper and avid hunter for over 50 years and is a member of TWS Hunting, Trapping, and Conservation Working Group, Director with the Northwestern Ontario Fur Trappers Association, and a member of the Ontario Fur Managers Federation and the Northern Ontario Sportsman Alliance. As a member of a Local Citizens Committee, he has been on the planning team for several 10-year MNRF Forest Management Plans. His unique background has allowed him to interact with students, trappers, First Nations, forest companies, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
Since 1974, Don’s interest has always centred on student involvement culminating in the establishment of TWS Student Chapter at Lakehead University in 2006. In addition, he has been affiliated with the OCTWS and the CSTWS since their inception and has maintained professional status by becoming a Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB®). From 2017 to the present, he has been Chair of the CSTWS Certification Committee and has served as a member on TWS Certification Liaison Committee (2017-2019). In 2021, he was awarded the designation of TWS Fellow. Don was, also, President of OCTWS (2021-2022) and is presently Chair of the OCTWS Membership and Recruitment Committee, OCTWS representative on the CSTWS Membership Committee, member of the CSTWS Education Committee, and member of TWS Conservation Education Awards Committee.
Secretary - Miriam Boucher MSc / AWB® / PBIOL / RPBio
TWS/ CRB Canadian Section Representative - Al Arsenault CWB® / PBIOL
CSTWS Executive Board Representative - Mike Gillingham PhD / TWS FELLOW
Member-at-Large (CWB® Advisor) - Dan Chranowski MSc / CWB® / PBIOL
Liaison Officer (AFS) - Vacant
Liaison Officer (ESA) - Vacant
Liaison Officer (ASPB) - Vacant
Liaison Officer (BC-CAB) - Everett Hanna Ph.D. CWB® / RPBio
Liaison Officer (ECO Canada) - Stephanie Walsh EP®
Liaison Officer (Education) - Don Barnes MSc / CWB® / TWS Fellow
Student Liaison - Caitlin Hesketh-Jost (University of Manitoba)
BC Chapter Representative - Rod Davis PhD/ PAg
AB Chapter Representative - Vacant
SK Chapter Representative - Vacant
MB Chapter Representative - Dan Chranowski MSc / CWB® / PBIOL
ON Chapter Representative - Don Barnes MSc / CWB® / TWS Fellow