Nature Cantons de l'est Organisme de conservation de milieux naturels
Nature Cantons de l'est Organisme de conservation de milieux naturels

OUR
TEAM

PROFESSIONAL TEAM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PROFESSIONAL TEAM

Stéphane Tanguay, directeur général

Stéphane Tanguay
Executive Director

directeur@naturecantonsdelest.ca
Stéphane is a biologist with a master’s degree in biology from the University of Sherbrooke. Until 2001, he was involved in the conservation project of the Charrette Stream and Brazeau Bay. Before joining Nature Eastern Townships in 2014, he worked as project manager, coordinator and then project director at Nature Action-Québec.

Hyacinthe Gauthier Bérubé
Project manager

Spokesperson for the RCM of Coaticook and the RCM of Granit
hyacinthe@naturecantonsdelest.ca
Hyacinthe is a biologist and holds a master's degree in environmental management from the University of Sherbrooke. Before joining Nature Eastern Townships in 2020,he took part in several research projects throughout his academic path, in addition to working for the direction of the Montérégie branch at the Ministry of Transportation.

Valérie Thiffault
Project manager

Spokesperson for the RCM of Haut-Saint-François and the RCM of Val-Saint-François
valerie@naturecantonsdelest.ca
Valérie is an ecologist with advanced geomatic skills. She holds a master's degree in systemic management of natural habitat from the University of Sherbrooke. Before becoming a project manager, she developed the organization’s conservation strategy as part of her master’s final project. Her professional background includes internships at Groupe Hémisphères and Nature Conservancy of Canada, where she gained experience in voluntary conservation, public outreach, and planning and conducting wildlife and plant inventories.

Damien Moulin
Project manager

Spokesperson for the Sherbrooke area
damien.moulin@naturecantonsdelest.ca
Damien is a biologist with a dual master’s degree in environmental management from the University of Sherbrooke and the University of Montpellier in France. Before joining the Nature Eastern Townships team in 2025, he worked with the Comité ZIP du Haut Saint-Laurent on various projects related to the management of invasive species, the enhancement of natural environments, and collaboration between municipalities to develop protection plans for their drinking water sources.

Marie-Hélène Caron
Ecology professional

marie-helene @naturecantonsdelest.ca
Marie-Hélène is passionate about wildlife and the protection of natural environments. She has has been working as a biology technician at Nature Eastern Townships since fall 2020. She holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies and a technical degree in bioecology, and has gained extensive experience in conservation, education, and the management of bird populations.

Angélique Cornellier
Ecology professional

angelique@naturecantonsdelest.ca
Angélique holds a bachelor's degree in ecology from the University of Sherbrooke and joined the Nature Eastern Townships team in 2025 as an ecology professional. Passionate about conservation, she developed her skills through various experiences with organizations such as Nature Conservancy of Canada, the SÉTHY Foundation, the Rimouski Bird Observatory, and Attention FragÎles, where she contributed to projects focused on habitat conservation and the monitoring of species at risk.

Jennifer Vallières
Ecology technician

On parental leave
jennifer@naturecantonsdelest.ca
Jennifer has been a bioecology technician since 2015. Before joining the Nature Eastern Township in 2018, she worked at the Marais de la Rivière-aux-Cerises and for Appalachian Corridor, where she took part in various projects involving inventories, education, and raising awareness about the conservation of natural habitats and wildlife.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Denis Petitclerc

Denis Petitclerc
President

Denis Petitclerc led the Science and Technology Directorate at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. A former animal science researcher and associate professor at the University of Sherbrooke and McGill, he has served on the boards of two international non-profit organizations, co-founded a life sciences consulting firm, and led a biopharmaceutical company. He also sits on the boards of Blue Massawippi and the Centre d'Initiative de la région de Coaticook - Vers un Institut Bioalimentaire en Estrie.

Edith Guilhermont
Vice president

Edith Guilhermont, who holds a PhD in law from the University of Perpignan (France)teaches environmental law and Canadian natural area management law at the University of Sherbrooke. She is also a research and development officer at the Centre de recherche sur la régulation et le droit de la gouvernance. She serves on the boards of the Association pour la protection et la valorisation du Boisé ascot-Lennox and the Lennoxville Library. She has been a board member of Nature Eastern Townships since 2023.

Jean-Paul Gendron
Secretary-treasurer

Jean-Paul Gendron is a geographer with strong expertise in regional and local development. With 24 years of experience at the Office de planification et de développement du Québec and the Secrétariat au développement des régions, he volunteers with various regional and local development organizations and has been an active member supporting Nature Eastern Townships since 2001.

Elisabeth Levac
Administrator

Elisabeth Levac holds a PhD in Earth Sciences from Dalhousie University. She is a professor in the Department of Environment, Agriculture, and Geography at Bishop’s University. She leads several tree-related projects and monitors airborne pollen to better understand its impact on health. She is interested in invasive species and is involved in research on controlling Eurasian watermilfoil in lakes across the Estrian lakes.

Rémi Vachon
Administrator

Rémi Vachon holds a master's degree in cooperative and community management and a bachelor’s degree in political science. He has been active in the economic development of the Haut-Saint-François RCM for over 15 years. As a board member, he contributed to the growth of the Coopérative funéraire de l'Estrie as well as the Caisse Desjardins du Haut-Saint-François. He has been a board member of Nature Eastern Townships since 2023.

Patrice Bourgault
Administrator

Patrice Bougault is a biologist specialized in animal ecology and conservation.He leads numerous wildlife research and inventory projects in the region of Estrie, particularly in herpetology and ornithology. He is recognized for his expertise in research planning, ecological assessment and inventory, and the development of conservation plans. As a scientific advisor for several regional organizations (Île du Marais, Forêt Hereford), he has been teaching in the undergraduate ecology program at the University of Sherbrooke for over 15 years.

Anne Turcotte
Administrator

Anne Turcotte holds a master’s degree in literature and social communication, with a focus on strategic communications in the community sector. She has served as executive director for various organizations, including municipalities within Nature Eastern Townships’ area of activity. Deeply interested in biodiversity conservation, she joined the board of directors to share her expertise in governance, communication, and representation with local and regional political bodies.