Ashley Wallis
Associate Director
Having spent over a decade working for environmental non-profits, Ashley has designed and led citizen science programs, advocated for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes, and campaigned to end plastic pollution and protect the world’s oceans.
As a former Great Lakes surfer, she would often lament the plastic trash she had to share the surf with. Inspired by what can be accomplished by engaged individuals and the power of environmental advocacy, Ashley was instrumental in the creation of Environmental Defence’s campaign to end plastic pollution. She now provides strategic leadership to both the plastics and freshwater campaigns.
Read Ashley's Posts
Aug 08, 2017
We’ve got the dirt … on the connection between soil and a healthy Lake Erie
Algae blooms happen in the water, but what happens on the land dictates the size,…
Jul 20, 2017
Last week, Coca-Cola U.K. announced plans to double the amount of recycled plastic in their…
Jul 13, 2017
Summer forecast for Lake Erie: the nasty algae monster is back
Sunny, sweaty summer days have us dreaming about long walks on the beach, and sunset…
Jun 01, 2017
Debunking the beverage industry’s deposit return claims: part 2
Yesterday, we posted the first part of our response to the Canadian Beverage Association’s claims…
May 31, 2017
Debunking the beverage industry’s deposit return claims: part 1
A few weeks ago, The Hamilton Spectator published an opinion piece of ours. In the piece, we…
Mar 15, 2017
Cutting U.S. Great Lakes funding won’t make the lakes great again
This week, advocates for the Great Lakes are gathering in Washington to educate legislators about…
Feb 28, 2017
Coca-Cola backs Scottish deposit return on plastic bottles. Will it do the same in Ontario?
That’s the question after the beverage company recently announced its support for a deposit return…
Jan 18, 2017
Higher fees for water bottlers: a good step, but more is needed
Last fall, the bottled water industry in Ontario came under fire, in part because of the…
Jan 06, 2017
10,000 (tonne) reasons why Ontario needs a deposit on plastic bottles
How much plastic pollution do you think is in the Great Lakes? The numbers may…
Dec 02, 2016
Ontario says “NO” to water bottling giant
Today the Ontario government denied Nestlé’s request to test the water at their newly purchased…