Our Staff

Jana Teefy - Head Biologist, NABC Certified Bander and Trainer 

Jana's started as a volunteer at BBO in 2019 and fell in love with the organization. She was thrilled to become Assistant Biologist in the summer of 2021 and Head Biologist in 2023. Jana's was an Animal Health Technologist in her previous career and graduated from Lakeland College in 2022 from the Environmental Sciences program majoring in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation. She enjoys all aspects of BBO, especially connecting with the public and sharing her knowledge with them. Aside from birding, she enjoys hiking, camping, and photography. Black-Capped Chickadees are her favorite bird because they are adorable and feisty. 

Jon Van Arragon - Assistant Biologist, NABC Certified Bander and Trainer 

Jon became a member of the BBO staff in 2020 after being a regular volunteer for several years. His interest in birds started at the BBO and he completed the Young Ornithologist's workshop in 2017. During the banding season he has been known to bombard his coworkers with all manner of bird puns, feather or not it's appropriate. Outside of the field he enjoys backpacking, baking, and Broadway music. His favorite birds are the Bohemian Waxwing and the Hermit Warbler.

Emelie Dykstra - Field Biologist and Education Coordinator

Emelie is a recent graduate from the University of Alberta in Environmental and Conservation Sciences, where she completed winter bird biodiversity research that sparked her passion for birds. With a background in forestry research and science communication, birding has remained a consistent hobby for several years. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, backpacking, and searching for bugs. Her favourite bird is a magpie, even though they get a bad rap!

Xavier Quantz - Field Biologist

Xavier has always loved nature and being outside. However, his love for birds only started a few years ago, but it didn't take long for this passion to become all-consuming. Since then, he has been part of the YOW, volunteered at the BBO, led interpretive walks through the Beaverhill natural area, and gone birding there many times. Now that he has graduated from NAIT he is ready to dive head-first into his career as an ornithologist! Besides birdwatching, Xavier enjoys backpacking, botany, and Dungeons & Dragons. His favourite birds are the Yellow Rail.

Willow Zilliox - Field Biologist

Willow has been a bird enthusiast for the majority of her life! Since becoming a volunteer in 2022, she became enamoured with the Beaverhill Bird Observatory, participating in a Student Internship the following summer. Having recently graduated from the UofA with a degree in biological sciences, she is overjoyed to be the latest addition to the BBO team. In her spare time, Willow loves doing various crafts, going hiking, and spending time with her loved ones. While she can’t quite make up her mind on a favourite bird (and will likely give a different answer to anyone who asks), she will always have a soft spot for Red- and White-breasted Nuthatches.

Jewels - Pawsitive Vibe Specialist 

Jewels takes the role of Pawsitive Vibe Specialist to heart, announcing your arrival and welcoming you with a wagging tail and a big smile. She ensures that every day is filled with walkies, pets, and plenty of naps. And when the temperature drops, Jewels steps in as our Professional Hand Warmer, providing much needed warmth to ensure our songbirds don't get cold stressed in the hand. Whether she's brightening our early mornings or suckering visitors into giving belly rubs, Jewels' mission is simple: to spread happiness and pawsitivity wherever she goes.