Dr. Sonya Richmond completed an HBSc in Biology and Environmental Resource Science, an MSc in Watershed Ecosystems Management (Trent University), a PhD in Forestry (University of Toronto) and a post-doctoral fellowship Birds Canada, where she worked as a GIS Analyst. She won national scholarships, presented at academic conferences, published peer-reviewed articles, and contributed to award-winning Breeding Bird Atlases.
On June 1st, 2019 she began her expedition across Canada on the 27,000km long Trans Canada Trail, promoting diversity and accessibility in outdoor activities while striving to inspire youth to reconnect with nature through birding and Citizen Science. Her inspirational journey has been featured in media internationally. Her blog is one of Canada’s top Travel Blogs, she is a Pathfinder for the Great Trail, a member of the Canadian Explorer’s Club, a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, and in 2021 her cross Canada trek was been named an RCGS Expedition!