Richard has lived on Vancouver Island for the last 10 years working, going to school and enjoying the outdoors. He graduated from Vancouver Island University with distinction and was a recipient of three United Nations Liveable Community Awards for Community Sustainability. Richard’s experience over the last 5 years has been focused on sustainable community development. He has completed projects in Kimberley, Ucluelet, Sooke, East and West Kootenays, Golden, Mackenzie and Costa Rica.  His functions included, engaging the residents of a community and facilitating opportunities for them to provide feedback to planning departments, Councils, First Nations, tourism organizations, special interest groups and each other. He has been working for the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Foundation since February; he is excited about the potential benefits of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve and encouraging citizens to take responsibility and ownership.