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Board
Here are the people who make the Cowinchan Green Community possible.
Mike Smith
Board President
Mike has lived in the Cowichan Valley all his life. Growing up on the same family farm since 1891 his roots run deep both in the valley and his passion for Food Sustainability. Mike spends his free time with his 2 kids and wife on the farm as much as possible or visiting the many beautiful locations the valley has to offer. For work he is a Commercial lender helping Entrepreneurs realize their business dreams.
Lucy Thomas
Director | CGC
Lucy Thomas is my borrowed name, “Tsumkwaat” is my Hul’qumi’num’ name. Born and raised in the Cowichan Valley, a Residential school Survivor, Employed at House of Friendship since 1982.
Involved in making changes in our community, street name change, Reconciliation murals, North American Indigenous Games “cultural component” i was one of many of us at the table. Since then I get invited to other businesses and organizations to share our history of Cowichan and Residential school.
I love being on the Board for Cowichan Green Community, they are so grounded in their work, making a difference in our community. Married to Richard for over 40 years, two grown children, 9grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
Eduardo Sousa
Director | CGC
Eduardo Sousa is an Advisor with the Indigenous Leadership Initiative which fosters Indigenous nationhood as a way to conserve and manage Indigenous lands. He runs a consultancy, Caminho Do Meio, providing strategic planning and communications, and project management support for Indigenous communities. Eduardo also worked for Greenpeace for over a decade as senior Forests Campaigner, successfully implementing the world-renowned and award-winning Great Bear Rainforest Agreements with…
First Nations, the BC Government, and the logging industry. Prior to arriving on the west coast, Eduardo worked many years as Ontario-Quebec Organizer for the Council of Canadians on public policy issues related to healthcare, water, trade and Canada-US relations. Eduardo was also an environmental planner and special projects coordinator for Toronto Parks, working with communities on environmental stewardship and community gardens. He has a Master’s in Environmental Studies from Toronto’s York University, with a focus on watershed planning and community mobilization, and an Honours BA in Social-Cultural Anthropology / Environmental Studies, from Victoria University/University of Toronto. Eduardo has various articles published in books and magazines and online, regarding watershed stewardship and planning, water issues, and environmental history.
Nadeanne Nelson
Treasurer | CGC, CHC Holdings
Nadeane is passionate about healthy food, fresh water and the healing power of nature, creativity and nurturing relationships. She enjoys gardening, cycling, paddling, and communing with trees. Nadeane is continually inspired by the energy, enthusiasm and skillsets of CGC staff and by the projects they undertake.
Penny Lehan
Director
Penny grew up in Sidney and lived in Vancouver for 30 years before gleefully returning to the Island in 2012. She and her husband were drawn to the Cowichan Valley by their interest in local, sustainable food production. Penny loves being connected to her community and volunteers for several local non-profits. Penny enjoys rowing and kayaking in Maple Bay, hiking on local mountains and faithfully attending the Duncan Farmers’ Market for her Saturday social. She also has a law practice in Duncan.
Danielle Bellefleur
Director
Danielle is a biologist, who worked for Parks Canada from Nova Scotia, Jasper, Banff and Pacific Rim National Parks. She focused on restoration, species at risk, seabirds and wildlife. Today she runs Fruit Forest Farm in Cobble Hill, growing heritage apples, cherries, figs and berries, as well as consulting. Through the farm, she got in involved with the Cow-op at the inception, and is an avid supporter of the Cow-op and CGC’s food security programs and great staff.
WHAT THEY SAY
“Thank you for such a wonderful tour of the CGC! It was great to hear from so many dynamic voices! It is so meaningful to see all of the different aspects of food security that the CGC is addressing, from food recovery, to the reFresh program, to maintaining the urban farms. The students were very moved by the experience, and we would love to discuss future collaborations.”
Kym Chi, Dean School of Permaculture Design 
“I brought my niece in to volunteer at the farm the other day, and it was a really beautiful experience. She really got into the spirit of what was going on at the farm, and the two of us had a special day together, harvesting and planting”
VivianneVolunteer 
“We love having this farm in the neighborhood, it’s so nice to have a place to come and get fresh healthy food, and it is a lovely place to walk by every morning. It’s always good to see things growing.”
JuneNeighbour by the Farm Hub
“Thank you for helping me when I needed it most!
Your overall purpose is exactly what the planet and its humans need.”
reFRESH Coupon Program Participant
“Thank you for all of the
work that you do, you make
the park an enjoyable
space for families and we
enjoy spending time here".
KinPark Youth Urban Farm participant 
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