Celebrating 30 Years of CMI!
Advancing ecological knowledge since (before) 1995
The Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI) recently celebrated a significant milestone! In this special newsletter we celebrate 30+ years of supporting connections, learning, and collaboration in the applied ecology community across southeastern British Columbia and beyond. Though the true beginnings of CMI date back earlier through the collaboration of our co-founders, we became an official non-profit organization in 1995.
A legacy of Knowledge and Community
From humble beginnings to a strong regional network of practitioners, researchers, land managers, stewardship groups, students, and educators, CMI has built an enduring legacy of fostering ecological understanding and best practices. Through research, conferences, forums, workshops, courses, and online networking, CMI has consistently championed opportunities that bring people together with science‑informed insights to support effective natural resource management.
CMI’s impact over the past 30 years has been shaped by both continuity and evolution. Reflecting on this milestone, CMI’s current Executive Director, Hailey Ross, highlights how the organization has amplified locally rooted work while strengthening connections across disciplines and sectors:
“CMI has succeeded in shining a light on exemplary science and ecology projects with their roots in the relatively small communities within the Columbia Basin. Over the years, it has fostered an engaged community of ecology practitioners, land managers, and scientists who are committed to continually upgrading their skills, collaborating with one another, and sharing knowledge for the benefit of ecosystem management, restoration, and stewardship.” – Hailey Ross, CMI Executive Director
CMI’s Board of Directors and Staff — Guiding the Vision
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At the heart of CMI’s governance is a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors made up of thirteen applied ecologists, land managers, and conservation professionals from across the Columbia Mountains region. These leaders bring diverse expertise in wildlife biology, forestry, restoration, monitoring, and ecosystem management. Their direction helps to shape CMI’s strategic direction, support community-driven programming, and ensure that the voices of practitioners are reflected in our work.
CMI is led by Executive Director Hailey Ross. Hailey has guided and grown the organization since 2013. With a multidisciplinary background in environmental and social sciences, Hailey plays a central role in shaping CMI’s vision, partnerships, and programming. Hailey is currently supported by Program Assistant Jasmin Dorinda, who joined CMI in 2025 with expertise in river-to-coast environmental monitoring and watershed restoration.
Read the profiles of our current Board of Directors and Staff here.
Learning Together — a cornerstone of CMI’s work
“CMI programming is guided first and foremost by the network of ecology practitioners who tell us what they’re looking for. Our members set the direction — that’s what allows CMI to remain nimble and responsive.” – Hailey Ross, CMI Executive Director
Over the past three decades, CMI’s annual events and specialized training have empowered countless professionals and early‑career ecologists with new skills, practical tools, and space to exchange ideas. From foundational workshops to advanced applied practices, CMI events foster cross‑disciplinary learning and community connection.
As CMI’s former Executive Director, Jackie Morris, reflected:
“Sometimes living in small towns and working for small companies can be limiting. In our region people in all fields of ecology and natural resource management, at all levels of expertise, now have a way to connect and share their knowledge. At CMI events they can meet each other in person or through focused webinars, and reinforce their learnings from the event proceedings. CMI supports discussion of new and previous findings, learning about current methodologies, and so much more.” – Jackie Morris, former CMI Executive Director
When asked to reflect on a moment that captures the heart of CMI’s work, Hailey Ross pointed to participant feedback from a recent forum ‘What’s the Future of Grasslands and Rangelands in the East Kootenay?‘. One attendee wrote:
“I learned so much and met so many people that I had heard of but never actually met… Being able to hear from such an array of speakers from different perspectives and backgrounds was incredibly valuable… I loved seeing young people in the room with legends, and the space carved out for First Nations perspectives. Giving room for all voices, and returning to shared values, kept the discussion collegial and productive. I hope we can do this again.” – CMI Event Participant
CMI has also evolved in how it delivers learning opportunities. Since 2013, programming has expanded from primarily conferences to include a growing number of skill-focused courses and workshops, while maintaining a strong foundation in science-based dialogue. Like many organizations, CMI adapted during COVID by moving programming online. This shift revealed a global appetite for our events, with participants now regularly joining from well beyond the Columbia Mountains region.
You can find highlights from CMI’s activities, including:
- Annual Researcher Forums and Conferences
- Skill‑building Courses and Workshops
- CREDtalks and webinar recordings available on YouTube
A connected and growing network
“People who study all aspects of ecology and natural resource use are learning from each other.” – Jackie Morris, former CMI Executive Director
Today, CMI connects a community of over 1,500 members, with another 1000+ individuals who subscribe to receive our news and participate in our events. This includes practitioners, academics, consultants, conservation partners, and students who collectively strengthen ecological stewardship across landscapes and disciplines.
Celebrating Together
CMI’s 30th anniversary was commemorated at the Researchers’ Forum & 30-Year Celebration in Revelstoke. This was an inspiring blend of research presentations, community conversations, and opportunities to reflect on how far this community has come. You can find the full proceedings of this event here.
Thank you!
As we celebrate this milestone, we extend our sincerest thanks to everyone who has contributed to CMI’s success over the years. From volunteers and presenters to members and partners, your passion for ecological knowledge and stewardship propels this community forward.
Looking ahead, Hailey Ross expressed excitement about the changing and growing community that CMI serves:
“Ecology practitioners and land managers working with First Nations organizations and governments are our fastest-growing membership demographic. This reflects the important and ongoing work to build capacity for First Nations to steward and manage the Columbia Mountains region.” – Hailey Ross, Executive Director
Interested in becoming a member of CMI?
Joining CMI is a great way to connect, learn, and contribute to the applied ecology community in the Columbia Mountains and beyond. It’s also a simple way to support what we do. Be part of our network and enjoy the benefits of membership:
- Community: Discounted event fees & early workshop notices
- Engagement: Attend the Annual Research Forum & share your news
- Voice: Vote on Society matters & help shape CMI events
We offer a range of membership options, including our new tiered group memberships. Existing group members can also now update their member lists anytime via our website, making it easier for new staff to get access to member benefits: update your group members list here.
Want to know more about CMI’s history? We keep all of our Annual Reports available here.
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