Joining RiverWatch in the spring of 2023, Michelle is our visionary science lead, managing all CreekWatch water science programs and citizen science initiatives. Michelle is an honours graduate from Mount Royal University, holding a BSc in Environmental Science. Her academic journey ignited her passion for water resources, including hydrology, water quality, pollution, and watershed management. Data analysis, one of her favourites, serves as her tool to uncover the intricate connections between people, water, and the environment. As a former interpretative guide for RiverWatch, Michelle thrived on educating others about waterway importance, its impact, and mitigation strategies. She firmly believes that fostering this understanding sparks environmental advocacy and inspires citizen scientists. Michelle’s fervent goal is to contribute to a sustainable future. A self-professed “data nerd”, Michelle can often be spotted doing water tests along Calgary creeks and rivers in her spare time. A proud Calgarian, Michelle enjoys the Bow River, Fish Creek Park, and creative pursuits at home with her cats, Stevie and Luna.

Now in her 5th year with RiverWatch, Emma Schneider is part of our Float Operations Team and our Creekwatch Coordinator for the Northern Alberta region. She is an experienced environmental enthusiast with a diploma in Natural Resource Technology from Portage College. Emma brings her passion and experience in water management, wildlife conservation, and environmental law to the organization. She is committed to practical, hands-on learning, which she integrates into her role at CreekWatch. In her current position, Emma aims to connect science with the community, focusing on water conservation and inspiring others through her passion for environmental stewardship. She enjoys outdoor activities like kayaking and volunteering in community environmental projects. Emma’s prior experience as a lead River Guide for RiverWatch for 3 seasons further solidifies her dedication to our mission and environmental stewardship, showcasing her leadership skills and genuine love for her work.

River Hoffos joined the RiverWatch team in 2020 as a Guide and is part if our Float Operations Team. He loves sharing his passion for nature, education, conservation, and rafting with the many students, guests, and staff who make RiverWatch a part of their lives. River’s favourite part about his job is fostering a fun, supportive, and effective teamwork environment!

Outside of work, River is a Semi-Professional Ukrainian Dancer with the Viter Ukrainian Dancers in Edmonton. He spends most of his free time hiking, backpacking, camping, and canoeing across the great outdoors! In the moments between work and wilderness, you’ll find River hard at work planning events in the Ukrainian Community.
He hopes to see you on the river!

Lucas has been a RiverWatch guide for 5 seasons and is now part of our Float Operations Team. His passion for water has led him to many adventures and experiences worldwide. Whether that is chasing waves to surf, snow to ride down, or rivers and lakes to swim in, his love for anything water-related has shaped him into the person and river guide he is today. He is also very passionate about sharing that love with people, helping them create their own adventures and experiences with water and the outdoors. He believes in creating meaningful and impactful moments and memories with those around him, always learning and exploring. According to Lucas… every day is an adventure.

Mark Taylor has been the cornerstone of safety and training at RiverWatch for over 15 years, serving as the organization’s lead Safety Officer responsible for certifying and recertifying all RiverWatch guides. With a career spanning more than two decades, Mark is nationally respected for his technical expertise, calm leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence in river safety.

Mark’s paddling journey began at age 18, when he landed a job renting canoes at the Bow Waters Canoe Club. That early spark ignited a lifelong passion that evolved from canoeing into whitewater paddling and kayaking. Since then, he has taken part in countless expeditions — including multiple Grand Canyon trips — and has trained hundreds of paddlers and guides across Canada.

As co-owner of The Rocky Mountain Paddling Centre, Mark plays a pivotal role in shaping paddlesports instruction in Alberta. He has helped write national canoe and kayak instructor programs, and he continues to mentor the next generation of instructors and river professionals.

Mark began working with RiverWatch in 2010, where he was instrumental in implementing comprehensive safety and training protocols. His training sessions are widely regarded as some of the highest-quality programs available, consistently setting the gold standard for guide preparation. Mark remains a valued partner to the RiverWatch team and Executive Director, contributing to a culture of safety, professionalism, and learning.

Jay Ball is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of executive experience across Alberta’s nonprofit, business, sports and environmental tourism sectors.

In the summer of 2022, Jay was appointed Executive Director of the RiverWatch Institute of Alberta, a leading nonprofit in environmental and water education. Since then, he has led a bold transformation—revitalizing organizational culture, refurbishing the float and vehicle fleet, expanding the school science float program, and launching EcoFloats, an award winning signature tourism product now offering summer river float programs in both Calgary and Edmonton. He also expanded RiverWatch’s CreekWatch program, introducing a new focus on private water monitoring in the municipal sector.

Under Jay’s leadership, RiverWatch has grown into Western Canada’s largest nonprofit guided interpretive river float operation—connecting more than 14,000 students and public guests each year to the power of science, stewardship, and the living stories of Alberta’s rivers.

Jay has an extensive history of community involvement, serving on boards and committees of the Edmonton Public Library, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Explore Edmonton, and other local groups. His volunteerism extends to leadership roles in international events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, and the IAAF World Championships in Athletics.

Jay lives in Edmonton with wife and two kids. He is an avid hockey fan, and has worked for the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club as a member of the game-night media relations team for nearly 30 years. During his time with the Oilers, he has worked the press box for two Stanley Cup finals, two Heritage Classics, over 70 home playoff games and over 900 NHL regular-season games.