Evelyn Tanaka (she/her) is a second generation Canadian and environmental activist born and raised in Treaty 7 Mohkinstsis (Calgary, Alberta). As a child she wanted to be just like Jane Goodall because of her fascination with the biodiversity of the African savannah. Her love of nature translated into a BSc in Ecology (2003) and an MA in Anthropology/Primatology (2006) from the University of Calgary. She has also spent extended periods of time in five African countries – Madagascar, Kenya, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
Evelyn has worked in many industries including construction, renewable energy, retail, and the environmental sector. She is currently managing three projects including ECO Canada’s Nature-based Climate Solutions project. She was lead proposal writer on a successful $18 million grant for the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program.
In her free time Evelyn runs a dog-sitting business and enjoys reading non fiction books, playing board games with her kids, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, and skipping her curling team. She lives with her husband and two sons in a solar-powered eco-friendly house in Calgary.
