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Publisher – Ontario Nature

Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. It represents more than 30,000 members and supporters, and 150 member groups from across Ontario. Ontario Nature is the voice for nature in Ontario.

John Hassell headshotEditor – John Hassell

416-444-8419 ext. 269  |   johnh@ontarionature.org

Along with his role as editor, he is Ontario Nature’s Director of Communications and Engagement. John has an M.A. in international development studies with research focusing on sustainable, community-based forestry and a B.A. in political science. He has worked in the non-profit sector for more than 15 years. John is a founding director of ReachUp, a charity that promotes healthy lifestyles in under-resourced communities. A sports nut, John has represented Canada at ultimate frisbee competitions. He loves wilderness expeditions with his wife and young son, AJ, and is fulfilled by his job helping protect the natural areas they explore.

Joanna Pachner

Contributing Editor – Joanna Pachner

Joanna is an editor, award-winning writer and editorial consultant, with a focus on business but experience in everything from technology to pop culture. She believes this is a fascinating time to work in media and communications — everything is changing, no one has the answers and experimentation is necessary. In short, a perfect opportunity for those with curiosity who are keen to try new approaches.

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Advertising Sales – Jeff Yamaguchi

416-508-2382  |  Fax: 905-454-9671  |  promedia@rogers.com

Levi Nicholson bio photo

Art Director – Levi Nicholson


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Copy Editor – Sarah Weber

Sarah is a formally trained editor and proofreader who has been providing editorial services to a wide range of not-for-profit organizations, publishers, businesses, and governments for almost three decades. Much of her work has been in the fields of education, natural history, and the environment, but her experience and interests are broad, and many subjects excite her. She helps authors say what they mean — and say it well. To quote Mark Twain, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’Tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”

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Fact Checker – Geri Savits-Fine

For more than 30 years, Geri has been a freelance copy editor, proofreader, researcher, interviewer, and writer for magazines, book publishers, government and corporations. With a keen eye for detail, Geri has worked on textbooks, newsletters, reports, ESL manuals, magazine articles, books, and has compiled original research for writers. Her eclectic career includes working on copy in the fields of business, education, general interest, film, science and the environment.

Dawn Promislow

Fact Checker – Dawn Promislow

Dawn Promislow has worked as a researcher and fact checker for a wide range of magazines: for Toronto Life, Report on Business, Today’s Parent, Air Canada’s enRoute, and others. She is also the author of an award-nominated novel and a short story collection, and numerous poems. In Toronto she appreciates most the wild green spaces, where she spends all the time she can, bird-watching and walking. She is a member of Friends of the Spit, the non-partisan group that advocates for the conservation and flourishing of Toronto’s Leslie Street Spit, and the extraordinary wildlife on it.

Proofreader – Noah Cole

Noah has worked for Ontario Nature since 2011. He supports Ontario Nature’s communications team with web design, programming, outreach, photo research and day-to-day operations. He has earned certification in non-profit and voluntary sector management from Toronto Metropolitan University. Noah obtained a B.A. from the University of Guelph and refined his craft at The Western Academy of Photography. Noah is the author of Ontario Wildlife Photography published by Dundurn Press, a regular contributor to ON Nature, a nature photographer, an accomplished naturalist, a Quetico Foundation trustee and loves the great outdoors.

Proofreader – Ron Corkum

Ron is a retired environmental chemist. He has volunteered with Ontario Nature for a number of years and is a former board member. Ron currently volunteers with some environmental and nature organizations and enjoys camping, canoeing and hiking.

Proofreader – Melina Damian

Along with her role with Ontario Nature, Melina also teaches a course at Centennial College on energy, environment and sustainable development. She has an MES from York University and a graduate diploma in environmental education, and her research focused on wildlife and macro-debris pollution. She has worked and volunteered for several environmental organizations including Wildlife Preservation Canada, Toronto Wildlife Centre, FoodShare, York Sustainable Enterprise Consultants and the Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and dancing.