Thank you Candace
After more than 30 years as a conservation advocate and non-profit leader, Candace Batycki has retired from her role as Executive Director of Nîkanêse Wah tzee Stewardship Society.
Candace dedicated her career to protecting ecosystems for threatened and endangered wildlife: particularly caribou! During her time with Nîkanêse Wah tzee, she helped guide the organization through an important period of growth and momentum, supporting the ongoing recovery and stewardship of caribou populations.
Among Candace’s most significant contributions was helping Nîkanêse Wah tzee mature into a stronger and more independent organization. She guided the Society through an important transition following the retirement of Wildlife Infometrics, secured new sources of funding, expanded internal capacity, and helped build the foundation for continued growth and long-term success.
Candace also elevated the organization’s communications and public outreach to a whole new level. Through regular newsletters, a refreshed visual identity, an updated website, and stronger storytelling, Nîkanêse Wah tzee deepened its connection with supporters and communities while increasing awareness of caribou recovery efforts and Indigenous-led stewardship.
Her leadership has been grounded not only in deep ecological knowledge and decades of experience, but also in a strong commitment to collaboration and relationship building. Candace’s care, dedication, and steady guidance have left a lasting mark on the organization and the broader conservation community.
We are deeply grateful for everything Candace has contributed and wish her all the best in this next chapter.
Welcome Mark
We are pleased to welcome Mark Dwyer, PhD, as the new Executive Director of Nîkanêse Wah tzee Stewardship Society. Mark brings a unique blend of conservation, community engagement, and public private leadership experience.
His career has taken him from the Arctic tundra of northwest Russia and western Siberia, where he travelled for years alongside Komi and Nenets reindeer herders, to leading aid and development initiatives across Africa, and recently working in the mineral exploration sector in British Columbia.
These experiences have shaped a deep appreciation for the connections between people, wildlife, and place. Mark is honoured to join Nîkanêse Wah tzee and to reconnect with Indigenous communities and support efforts to conserve caribou and the landscapes they depend on.