Fiona Chambers could pick and brew you a wild herb tea, while creating a basket using native fibres and weaving techniques, as you, she and a group of Oxford dons discussed carbon sequestration in the Kyoto protocol. This multi-talented academic, author, instructor, gardener/farmer and ethnobotanist is also an enthusiastic naturalist.

Fiona was born in Vancouver, B.C. She grew up in two First Nations communities in B.C. - the Ditidaht First Nation near Nitnat Lake and the Coast Salish Penelakut reserve on Kuper Island - as well as in North Vancouver and the UK. Her love of the outdoors and nature began at an early age, while living in the bush in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and in travelling with her family.

Fiona has lectured for 10 years at the University of Victoria's School of Environmental Studies and has degrees from UVic, the University of Calgary (in co-management of forest resources with Métis communities in northern Saskatchewan), and Oxford University (in environmental change and management). She has recently co-authored a book chapter for the Smithsonian Institution with renowned ethnobotanist Nancy Turner, as well as a forthcoming guide to the Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada.

Fiona currently lives outside Victoria, B.C. on a small farm with her family - including two rambunctious boys aged 3 and 4 years, some chickens and goats - where, in addition to everything else, she produces 39 varieties of heritage tomato seedlings for commercial resellers. Her friendly and adventurous spirit will guide Maple Leaf guests to discover unexpected wonders in the coast's natural world.