Shelley Lambert

Director

Shelley balances a career in software development with her love of growing trees and designing/tending food forests. She joined the Forêt Capitale Forest team to offer her skills and knowledge of tree care, corporate social responsibility and large-scale open-source project leadership and deployment. She is a problem solver and a teacher with a deep desire to improve the world around her.

Kevin Myers

Director

Kevin is an ISA Certified Arborist and a Registered Professional Forester in Training. He graduated from his Master’s of Forest Conservation (MFC) from the University of Toronto in December 2022. Kevin spent years working as a gardener and believes strongly that the right trees planted in the right place, with proper stewardship, will thrive and create a more livable city. He likes nothing more than getting dirt on his hands while putting plants in the ground.

Photo credits: Susie Shapiro

Michelle Nadeau

Director

Michelle is a Chartered Professional Accountant who’s worked on a wide variety of projects through her consulting career with private, governmental and non-for-profit clients. Internal audit, financial controls and process review, budgeting, financial reporting, cost and pricing analysis, to name only a few, are areas in which Michelle offers support to the Forêt Capitale Forest team. She loves problem solving and conducting data analysis to help an organization make evidence-based decisions.

Aileen Duncan

Director

Aileen is a Registered Professional Forester and a graduate of the Master of Forest Conservation program at the University of Toronto. She grew up in Ottawa, where she became an avid hiker and cyclist. Aileen is a policy professional with interest in governance, strategic planning, and partnership building. Her free time is spent in the garden, looking after fruit trees, vegetables, and native wildflowers.

Shelley Crabtree

Executive Director

Shelley is a professional communicator with a mission to promote the green power of trees for a healthier world. She aims to empower organizations with tools and strategies to fulfill their environmental commitments. By partnering with community groups, Shelley organizes events to plant and protect green spaces, encourage collective action through education and tell impactful stories. Together, she believes we can apply the amazing green tech of trees to build a sustainable future for people and planet.

Jodi Newman

Afforestation Program Manager

Raised on a farm in rural Ontario, Jodi’s upbringing fostered a desire to learn more about the interactions between people and the natural world. She pursued a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resource Science and Biology at Trent University, followed by a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Engineering from Conestoga College. Supplementing her educational background is a range of previous work experience in different areas of landscape restoration (in the field, lab and greenhouse). Jodi draws on her combined academic and technical background to bring an integrative, balanced approach to all of our planting projects. During off hours, Jodi enjoys hiking with her dog, photography, and creative writing.

Photo credits: Kamara Morozuk

Leann Byatte

Afforestation Program Coordinator

Leann is an environmental science graduate from Carleton University with a passion for sustainability, demonstrated through her work on marine conservation and plastic reduction initiatives in the non-profit sector. She has led a variety of community projects, including sustainable seafood workshops, and loves working alongside others to support local environmental efforts. Leann uses her experience to engage Ottawa’s passionate community in caring for urban green spaces. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside with her cat and creating art pieces.

Madelyn Wensley

Nursery and Farm Operations Lead

Madelyn has earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences from the University of Guelph, with a major in Ecology and a minor in GIS and Environmental Analysis. Through her participation in U of G’s co-op program, she has had the opportunity to work outdoors and take in nature from both agricultural and conservation science perspectives. These experiences, combined with academic projects completed during their undergrad, have sparked Madelyn’s interest in forest ecology and conservation. In her time off, you’ll likely find Madelyn exploring local markets or going for long walks while listening to her latest audiobook.

Matthew Tennant

Community Stewardship Coordinator

After graduating from Carleton University with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Matthew first joined our team in 2023 before leaving to join the Trans-Atlantic Forestry Master’s program at the University of British Columbia. For the past two years, he has been studying at Bangor University in Wales, receiving a degree in Agroforestry and Food Security, as well as at the University of British Columbia, receiving a Master’s of Forestry. Throughout both of these degrees, Matthew has taken an interest in promoting landowner-led reforestation initiatives, implementing agroforestry practices, and increasing urban tree cover, which he plans on applying through his new role as Community Stewardship Coordinator. Outside of work, he is also interested in hockey, gardening, and outdoor activities.

Martin Nesbitt

Field and Data Specialist

Martin Nesbitt has completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science at the University of Guelph, majoring in Environmental Economics and Policy. With prior experience developing climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives in the local environmental non-profit sector alongside many years of tree planting experience – Martin is passionate about promoting green spaces and sustainability. In his free time, he loves spending time outdoors, rock climbing and experimenting with fermentation recipes.

Andrew Kenney

(Ph.D., R.P.F.), Technical Advisor

Andy is a Registered Professional Forester. Prior to his retirement in 2012 he taught urban forestry at the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto. He co-developed Neighbourwoods, a series of protocols designed to help community groups steward the urban forests in their neighbourhood. He is currently working with three groups in Ottawa with their Neighbourwoods projects. Andy enjoys kayaking, snowshoeing, woodworking and learning everything he can from the 100 acres of “bush” where he lives with his wife Brenda in beautiful Lanark Highlands.

Simona Wagner

Research Liaison

Simona is a parent who is passionate about safeguarding natural biodiversity for future generations. With work experience in academic and medical research, she is now learning to be a gardener and tree steward under the kind mentorship of Forêt Capitale Forest colleagues. She likes to find adventures in nature with her family and friends, hiking in the forest and biking around the town.

Dean Frappier

Community Forestry Program Assistant

Dean went on his first canoe camping trip in Algonquin park at 3 months old and has loved being in nature ever since. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Climate and Environment at St. Francis Xavier University in 2024 where he became interested in climate change mitigation and conservation. His previous work as a supply teacher and whitewater rafting guide helped him share his love of nature and knowledge of climate change and Dean is using his past experience as a landscaper to create a pollinator garden in his backyard. In his free time, Dean likes to travel, ski and spend time by the lake at his cottage.

Dianna Cinnamon

Community Forestry Program Assistant

Dianna is a graduate of the Horticultural Industries program from Algonquin College in Ottawa, where she developed a strong foundation in plant care, landscape practices, and sustainable growing techniques. Her love for nature has shaped both her education and her work, including hands‑on co‑op experience outdoors and volunteer work with the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm, where she helps monitor seasonal flower blooms. Outside of horticulture, Dianna enjoys slow walks along the Ottawa River, exploring local businesses, and spending time crafting. Whether she’s tending plants or creating something by hand, she’s happiest when she’s connected to her community and the natural world.