Erin Desautels is the Sustainability Planner for the City of Surrey and has worked in local government for over 15 years focussing in the areas of sustainability, environmental stewardship, education, and diversity and inclusion. With a science background and Masters degrees in both Business Administration and Environmental Education, Erin brings a systems approach to the overlapping relationships present amongst the economic, environmental and social pillars of sustainability. Her passion lies in exploring strategic and interdisciplinary approaches to addressing climate action, as well as collaboratively building capacity within community. From forest to field, she is passionate about encouraging personal relationships with nature and fostering an environmental ethic. Erin is actively involved in the Metro Vancouver community as a steering committee member of the Institute for Environmental Learning, an environmental education facilitator with WildBC, and previously as a Director with the Surrey Urban Farmers Market. In her spare time she enjoys wine tasting, pottery, and hiking.