MacEwan Chapter of The Wildlife Society
The MacEwan Wildlife Club is a student-led environmental conservation group based at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. Founded in 2024, our mission is to create a deeper understanding of and connection to local biodiversity through hands-on experiences, educational events, and community outreach. We organize activities such as bio-blitzes, professional workshops, and environment based volunteering opportunities, offering students opportunities to engage with real-world environmental issues and conservation practices. Whether you’re passionate about wildlife biology, habitat restoration, or sustainable living, the MacEwan Wildlife Club provides a collaborative space for students to learn, take action, and make a positive impact on the environment. This club helps to connect students with The Wildlife Society by supporting them to attend conferences and participate in events that create networking opportunities. We hope to continue to work with The Wildlife Society to promote an inclusive environment focused on conservation within MacEwan and the community.
President: Daylen Towers
Daylen Towers is the president of the MacEwan Chapter of The Wildlife Society. He is entering my fifth year of his undergraduate degree, majoring in Biology with a minor in economics. Daylen is currently conducting a dietary analysis of Franklin’s Ground Squirrels as part of his honours thesis with Dr. Josh Miller and Dr. David McFadyen. This research will develop an understanding of the required habitat for the species and inform conservation efforts. Daylen is one of the founding members of the club and aims to provide applicable learning opportunities for students at MacEwan and to help get more people connected with nature. He believes it is crucial that we take strides towards including environmental damages and impacts in our economic activities, and that mission begins with a positive relationship between humans and nature. In his free time, he volunteers with the Alberta Conservation Association as a site steward and as a leader of the MacEwan Tower Gardens Project.
Chapter Representative: Kylie Mitchell
Kylie is a fifth-year biological sciences student majoring in cellular/molecular biology and minoring in sociology. She has a strong passion for making science accessible and fun for everyone. Even though her studies are at the cellular level, Kylie loves to participate in ecological conservation efforts and initiatives that include the community in science. As the Chapter Representative for the club, she maintains effective communication between ACTWS and the MacEwan Wildlife Club. When not in lab or volunteering, Kylie enjoys spending free time at the rock climbing gym and spending time in the mountains.
Secretary: Chloe Kachuk
Chloe Kachuk has been the Secretary of the MacEwan Chapter of The Wildlife Society (MCTWS) since its inception in 2024. She is currently a third-year Biology (Conservation and Ecology stream) and Anthropology student at MacEwan University, with plans to pursue a graduate degree afterward. Outside of her studies, she enjoys reading, writing, and illustrating. Some of her nature illustrations have been featured as stickers and posters for MCTWS!
Vice President External: Loreena Nieuwenhout
Loreena is a fifth-year biological sciences student minoring in earth and planetary sciences. She’s worked as a nature interpreter/program coordinator for the Big Lake Environment Support Society and as a Nature Kids program assistant for Nature Alberta. She also loves volunteering at the Royal Alberta Museum in the ornithology department where she prepares study skins for the collection. In her free time, Loreena enjoys birding and biking in the river valley in Edmonton.
Vice President Administration: Daelynne Stevens
Daelynne Stevens is Vice-President Administration for the MacEwan Wildlife Club at MacEwan University. Currently entering her fourth year, she is currently pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science in the Ecology and Diversity stream. From Fort McMurray, Daelynne grew up surrounded by the oilfield industry where she saw generational terrestrial and aquatic impacts on surrounding fauna and flora. As a result, it inspired a passion to work for the provincial government in forestry and more recently as a research assistant helping develop Indigenous environmental health risk baseline research for her home community situated off Lake Athabasca. Like her fellow club members, Daelynne is interested in inspiring a passion for the outdoors and educating others on how they can be more aware of their environment. Outside of school she enjoys outdoor activities like fishing, camping, and dragging her friends along for new adventures
Vice President - India Lee
India Lee is the Vice-President for the MacEwan Chapter of The Wildlife Society. She is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Science in the Ecology and Diversity stream and has just begun her journey into the Honours program. After visiting the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, fellow students and her came to the conclusion that MacEwan was in need of a club that promoted sustainability practices and encouraged students to become more engaged with nature around them; thus, the club was born. Coming from Mayerthorpe, a small farm town and being raised on a farm allowed her to regularly interact with the environment around her from a young age, which nurtured and expanded her love for the magic and wonder of nature. Because of this, from youth up to now, she has always been concerned with the conservation and protection of the Earth. Currently, she is working with Lac Ste. Anne County and is involved in planning and development, checking building permits, ensuring bylaws are followed, and that critical habitats are not being destroyed. She spends most of her time outdoors either fishing, camping, petting her cows and sheep, riding her dirt bike or doing chores.
Treasurer: Joey Caldarella
Joey is the treasurer of the MacEwan Chapter of the Wildlife Society. He is entering his 5th year at MacEwan, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Management. Joey is passionate about environmental sustainability and promoting eco-conscious practices on campus and beyond. Through the sustainability courses provided at MacEwan, he has gained a greater understanding of environmental issues and uses this knowledge to help support the chapter’s goals and create positive change.
Vice President of Events: Cheyenne Schiml
Cheyenne is a first-year Métis student in Biological Sciences at MacEwan University with a strong passion for wildlife conservation. She is currently completing an internship at WILDNorth’s wildlife rehabilitation centre and contributes to pollinator health by helping manage beehives at both MacEwan and her family home. As Vice-President of Events for the MacEwan Wildlife Club, she organizes conservation-focused activities and has gained field experience through initiatives such as owl banding and bee hotel workshops. Cheyenne aims to build a career in Alberta focused on native species protection and habitat restoration, combining her interests in science, nature, and cultural heritage.
