Meet the Team
Wild Wise Society is a completely volunteer driven initiative!
President
Mollie Cameron
Outside of her public-facing role with Wild Wise, Mollie Cameron works as a Wildlife Photographer, Naturalist, and Ecotourism Guide.
Since 2016, she has devoted herself to wildlife conservation and education, beginning her journey as a nature photographer and naturalist. Her deep connection to the natural world led her to become a whale-watching skipper in Sooke after earning her SVOP in 2019.
Mollie has a particular passion for the misunderstood predators of Vancouver Island and believes these animals are too often misjudged. She’s committed to shifting public perception through education and science-based outreach.
In 2020, she founded The Cougar Coexistence Initiative, a research project that maps cougar activity, tracks behavior, and documents community conflicts using remote camera traps. The project aims to deepen understanding of predator behavior and improve strategies for coexistence.
Mollie began volunteering with Wild Wise Society in 2021 and became its President in 2023. She now leads the organization’s efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict and spends hundreds of hours each year providing public education and promoting peaceful coexistence with wildlife.
Alongside her work with Wild Wise, Mollie contributes to conservation and research initiatives by supplying both photography and field data. She collaborates with municipalities to create wildlife-informed policies and raise community awareness.
With years of hands-on experience and a big heart for wild animals, Mollie continues to inspire greater respect, compassion, and coexistence between people and wildlife.
Treasurer
Shannon Hamilton
Shannon has been a dedicated volunteer with Wild Wise Society for over a year, driven by a deep love for wildlife!
She believes in the power of peaceful coexistence; whether it's through education, awareness or simply taking a moment to notice the creature crossing our path - she is dedicated to building a world where humans and wild beings can thrive side by side.
In her spare time, Shannon enjoys using remote trail cameras to observe the secret lives of local wildlife, gaining valuable insights into their movements, habits, and behaviors. Living on Vancouver Island, she feels endlessly grateful to share the landscape with our local wildlife here on Vancouver Island.
Sara Mariuz
Sara moved to Vancouver Island in 2020.
She was here for about a week before having her first wildlife encounter when a bear got into her “bear proof” compost bin. She immediately began to research how to better cohabitate with the wildlife on the island, and came across Wild Wise. Always excited to learn more about nature (and talk about it at nauseam - just ask her husband) it wasn’t long before she joined as a volunteer to help spread the word.
When not working or occupied with other things, Sara can likely be found on a beach, on a trail, or outdoors in some other way. Usually with her adventure buddy, Bella, by her side.
Board of Directors
Sarah Gibbins
Sarah is a Coastal Naturalist with a Masters of Science in Environment and Management, specializing in marine mammal research. She has dedicated her career to wildlife research and conservation education. She enjoys sharing her passion with the next generation of conservation stewards.
Board of Directors
Sam Webb
Founder of The Wild Wise Society, past President and current member of the Board of Directors.
Sam holds a degree in Animal Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation focused on the human-nonhuman animal relationship and is a Registered Veterinary Technician and Wildlife Rehabilitation by trade. With over 15 years of experience, Sam used this knowledge to shape the foundation of Wild Wise and educate people about the natural world, nourish a respectful understanding and promote coexistence.
Over 7 years, Sam volunteered an estimated 10,000 hours developing and delivering the Wild Wise program. She has since stepped away from her role as President to focus on her young family and hobby farm.
Alysha Jones
Alysha (she/her) is a nurse educator, community health nurse, and planetary health advocate. What’s closest to her heart is advocating for biodiversity and a just and caring relationship with our wild kin, including cougar, bear, and wolf. She is co-chair of the Environmental Justice Committee for the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment and lives in Sooke, BC, on the territory of the T’Sou-ke and Sc’ianew Nations.