Catalyst 2011 - Keynote Speakers
Catalyst 2011 Keynote Speakers will be announced in the Spring of 2011.
Catalyst 2010 Keynotes
The keynotes for the Catalyst 2010 conference were:
David Philips
David has been employed with Environment Canada's weather service
for over 40 years. His work activities relate to the study of the
climate of Canada and to promote awareness and understanding of
weather and climate in Canada.
He has published several books, papers and reports on the climate of
Canada, including several essays in The Canadian Encyclopedia, a
book on The Climates of Canada, and two bestsellers: The Day Niagara
Falls Ran Dry and Blame It On The Weather.
He is the originator and author of the Canadian Weather Trivia
Calendar, the most popular calendar sold in Canada, and now in its
22nd year. For nearly ten years he wrote the Weather-wise column in
the Canadian Geographic magazine. David frequently appears on
national radio and television as a commentator on weather and
climate matters.
Internationally, for over 20 years David assisted in the work of the
United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization. David is a fellow
of both the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the Canadian
Meteorological and Oceanographic Society.
He has been awarded the Patterson Medal for Distinguished Service to
Meteorology in Canada, and has twice received the Public Service
Merit Award. David is the recipient of two honorary doctorates from
the University of Waterloo and Nipissing University. In 2001, David
was named to the Order of Canada.
Danny Catt
Danny Catt is a biologist, world traveler and internationally
published photographer with over 25 years of experience in the field
of environmental education. After graduating from Kitsilano
Secondary in Vancouver, Danny went on to complete a diploma in
fisheries and wildlife management from the British Columbia
Institute of Technology (BCIT) as well as a Bachelor of Science
degree in biology and a Master of Science degree in wildlife
ecology, both from Simon Fraser University. After completing his
MSc, Danny was awarded a Rotary Foundation Scholarship to carry out
post-graduate studies at the College of African Wildlife Management
in East Africa.
Danny spent parts of 13 years working for Parks Canada, Canada’s
national park service, as a naturalist and park planner prior to
shifting to teaching at the post-secondary level. He has taught
courses in Ecology, and has delivered workshops on Sustainable
Development, at a number of universities in Indonesia, as part of
the Eastern Indonesia University Development Project sponsored by
the Canadian International Development Agency.
Danny is presently on the faculty of BCIT, teaching Ecology and
Recreation Management in the Institute’s highly regarded Fish,
Wildlife & Recreation program. Danny has a passion for travel and
has explored over 50 countries around the globe. In 2002 Danny
carried out a 5 month educational journey through Africa (www.catt-trax.bcit.ca)
and in 2007 spent 5 months exploring regions of South America and
Antarctica (www.catt-trax2.bcit.ca)
during which he was connected to students in BC via the internet.
Danny has been invited to lecture on conservation and environment
related topics for a broad range of audiences across Canada and
abroad. For over 15 years Danny has been a volunteer for the BC
Ministry of Education sponsored, “Scientists in the Schools”
program, which has allowed him to visit and connect with thousands
of elementary and high school students across British Columbia.
Danny is also a volunteer Board Member of the Stanley Park Ecology
Society in Vancouver. The Society, in partnership with the Vancouver
Park Board, is the official provider of Environmental Education in
Stanley Park, a park that with over 7 million visitors annually is
one of the most visited urban parks in North America.
When not teaching, Danny works as a trip leader, photographer and
naturalist for a number of adventure travel companies and has
lectured on expedition and cruise ships around the world.
For his efforts in teaching and communications, and in particular
his innovative use of technology in environmental education, Danny
was awarded the City of Burnaby’s 2008 Environment Award. In 2009
he was selected as the Canadian nominee for the Rotary Foundation
Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award.