About Us

Jarrod Bell – President



Jarrod has lived in Fort St John since 2002. He moved here from Kamloops for work and has been looking for a way to give back to the community that he now calls home. Jarrod was looking for a way to give back to the community and found volunteering opportunities with the Hospital Foundation during the CT Scanner campaign and found NEAT shortly after. He has been interested in recycling and waste reduction since he was young; NEAT is a perfect fit.

Jarrod works for School District 60 as the district principal of technology services. His teaching experience included math, physics, chemistry, science, and computer sciences. The physics and science curriculum frequently afforded him the opportunity to teach about energy, efficiency and conservation. Jarrod is a proud member of NEAT and hopes to sustain and grow the organization.

Bob Batchelor - Vice President

Moira Green - Secretary
 

Bruce Kosugi – Treasurer



Bruce has lived in the north (Fort Nelson and Fort St John) for more than10 years. Resource conservation, particularly recycling opportunities, has been a challenge for northern communities. NEAT has a long history of successfully overcoming many of these challenges.

Bruce is part of Spectra Energy’s Environment, Health and Safety Department based in Charlie Lake. Charlie Lake is also home to the Charlie Lake Conservation Society to which Bruce is also actively involved.

Bruce is “proud to be part of a dedicated and energetic team of volunteers to promote community awareness and involvement with local resource conservation.”


Danielle Smith - Director

RuthAnn Darnall – Honorary Director



Ruth Ann, a retired teacher, has lived in the North Peace for almost 60 years. She came to FSJ with her family from Edmonton. She graduated from NPSS before heading to UBC for her post secondary education. After teaching for one year in northern Ontario, she returned to marry Bob.

The Darnalls have been married for over 40 years. They live on a farm just north of FSJ where they enjoy watching the birds and wildlife. Every year from November to March, they do 10 bird counts for Project Feeder Watch. Their two big dogs and a cat round out their family.

Ruth Ann visits 3 classrooms a week to sing and play song games. Once a month, she and a class visit the Care Home to do the same thing. Other volunteer hours are spent working with the North Peace Mental Health Society, Unicef, Peace Valley Environmental Association, Meals on Wheels, Save Our Northern Seniors and of course NEAT.

In the summer, Bob and Ruth Ann enjoy spending time on the Peace River with their jet boat when they can find time from haying, gardening and raspberry picking.

In the early 70’s Ruth Ann began to worry that there was too much going to waste. There was no place to recycle tins and paper. For years, until NEAT established the recycling depot, the Darnall’s stored material until there was a place to take it. She is pleased that more materials can be recycled now and is looking forward to a solution to ‘e-waste’ for the Peace River area.

Ruth Ann says, “There is satisfaction in doing something positive. People need to hear how they can make a difference. NEAT does that! We are ordinary people leading by example.”
 
 

Andy Larstone – Past President



Andy was born in Ontario and migrated to BC in 1977. By 1980 he had worked his way north to Fort St, John and subsequently apprenticed as an electrician for two years. Due to a local recession, Andy completed his apprenticeship in the Lower mainland before returning to the Peace Country. In partnership with his brother Phil, he formed an electrical contracting company (i.e. Larstone Electric) that still operates locally as a corporation.

Both Phil & Andy were avid supporters of sustainable living practices and sought to expand this philosophy by sharing ideas with others. To facilitate this endeavor, they founded the Northern Environmental Action Team in 1989. NEAT existed originally under the umbrella of the Peace Valley Environmental Association due in part to Ruth Anne Darnall’s efforts. Since then NEAT has matured into an essential regional resource for environmental management & knowledge.

Andy currently resides in Fort St. John with his wife Dorri and children Kelly, Joy & Adam. Two cats round out the household. Andy & Dorri enjoy organic gardening and composting at their lot in Matthew’s Park. Due to NEAT’s commendable efforts, Andy & his family can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to their heart’s content.

Andy believes that “sustainable living sustains life” and offers the biblical suggestion to “do unto Mother Earth as you would have her do unto you.”