Jeremy Emmi, Executive Director

A native Michiganian, Jeremy spent his childhood about a mile from Michigan Nature Association's Big Hand Road Plant Preserve (now named in memory of Michigan Nature Association co-founder Bertha Daubendiek). His interest in plants and protection of native habitats led him to pursue a bachelor's degree in Botany and Plant Pathology from Michigan State University. He went on to receive a law degree from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, with an emphasis on environmental and natural resources law. Jeremy has been a Michigan Nature Association member since 1995 and executive director since late 2001.

Paul Steiner, Operations Director

Paul joined the Michigan Nature Association in November of 2005. In his four years at MNA, Paul transitioned from being the Project Coordinator to Operations Director. As a project coordinator, Paul combined his ten years of nonprofit experience with his educational background in environmental economics and natural resource policy. In his current position, he functions as the association’s chief operating officer, to execute Board policy and assigned responsibilities, and is also in charge of MNA’s day-to-day operations. Paul also coaches the Michigan State fencing team, which he helped form as a student at MSU. He and his wife Aggie have a daughter, Kate.

Andy Bacon , Stewardship Coordinator

Andy is an original product of the state of Michigan, born outside of Detroit and growing up and graduating from Okemos High School, east of Lansing. Much of his time was spent roaming the woods and tributaries along the Red Cedar River. At Michigan Nature Association he is responsible for the oversight and management of all of MNA’s preserves and sanctuaries throughout the state. He received his degree in fisheries and wildlife management from Lake Superior State University. After graduation, he worked for the land stewardship program with the Hamilton County Park District in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. After that he ran the entire stewardship program for the Natural Land Institute, a not for profit conservation organization based out of Rockford, Illinois, which focused on land protection throughout north and northwestern Illinois.

Barry Horney, Land Protection Specialist

Barry Horney grew up in Dearborn Heights and now lives in Iosco Twp., Livingston County . He received his degree from Wayne State University in Secondary Science Education with an emphasis in Biology.  Since graduating he has worked in both the private and public realm having been employed as a microbiologist, water quality specialist, project development planner, and land and water resource manager. After leaving state government he sought to continue using his experience in service of a nonprofit organization with a focus on natural resource protection. As MNA's Land Protection Specialist, Barry works with the Acquisition Committee through coordination, documentation and information gathering; communicates with potential donors, property owners, other land interests; and handles property encroachments.

Matt Schultz , Regional Stewardship Organizer

Matt began volunteering for Michigan Nature Association shortly after he moved to Michigan in early 2007. His interest in biodiversity conservation developed after graduating from college, so Matt returned to school and completed an M.S. in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology at the University of Maryland. Before accepting a position with MNA in April 2010, Matt was Regional Biologist with the Wildlife Habitat Council and helped corporate sites across the Midwest manage their unused land to conserve biodiversity. As MNA’s Regional Organizer, Matt is responsible for coordinating stewardship activities at 50 sanctuaries in the Lower Peninsula; these sanctuaries are primarily concentrated in the southwest region of the state. Matt enjoys birding and botanizing, as well as playing the piano, chess and hockey. His wife Anne is a PhD candidate studying ecology and evolution at Michigan State University.

Katherine Hollins, Regional Stewardship Organizer

A native of Virginia, Katherine’s passion for people and the environment carried her around the United States to a number of non-profits where she led trail construction crews, organized outreach efforts, served as an environmental educator, and worked with volunteers. Her path eventually led her to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment, where she broadened her skills and fell in love with Michigan’s natural beauty. Katherine joined the Michigan Nature Association in 2010 as the Regional Stewardship Organizer for the eastern Lower Peninsula and loves each opportunity she has to work with fantastic volunteers and stewards, managing and restoring some of Michigan’s finest lands.

Jeff Proulx, Communication Coordinator

Jeff joined the Michigan Nature Association in May of 2009 as an Administrative Assistant.  In his current position he directs the communications of the organization as well as manages the MNA’s website, publications, data systems, member services and events. Additionally he contributes GIS mapping and support. Prior to his time with the MNA he has worked in marketing, packing and distribution, photography, journalism, graphic design and web design.  In any position he has held, Jeff has brought his love of nature with him and currently enjoys the ability to share his passion with others by working at the MNA.

Laura Groat, Administrative Assistant

Laura grew up in the Flint area, and went to the University of Michigan receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology, with a minor in Applied Statistics. Laura has worked for both federal and state governments in topics such as employee and customer satisfaction, health care reform, and qualitative and quantitative research. Laura joined MNA in May 2010 part-time as their Administrative Assistant. She also currently works at a horse farm in Leslie, MI specializing in dressage where she manages farm operations. Laura loves spending a great deal of time outdoors and also enjoys cooking.