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Trustees

 

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Karen Weingarden,
President		 Karen is actively involved in a number of groups, including the Detroit Institute of Arts Founder's Society, the Detroit Zoological Society, Temple Emanu-El, and the Cranbrook Science Center. She lives in Huntington Woods with her husband, Marshall.
Mary Ann Czechowski,
Vice President		 Mary Ann Czechowski is a geologist, science writer, editor, and author of Gold in Michigan. Active in the Michigan Nature Association since the late 1970s, she previously served as treasurer and secretary. Mary Ann is interested in the geology of MNA properties and in the business and historical aspects of the organization. She lives with her husband, Dr. Melvin Czechowski, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
James R. Buschmann,
Secretary		 Jim is a partner with the law firm of Bodman LLP in Ann Arbor. He is also part of the Matthaei Gardens Advisory Committee and is a member of Trout Unlimited. Jim lives in Dexter.
Stanley Dole,
Treasurer		 The Michigan Nature Association is extremely thankful to have Stan, a semi-retired Certified Public Accountant, as our treasurer. He also serves as treasurer for the West Michigan Environmental Action Council and Olivet College, and as investment manager for the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ. Stan also sits on Olivet College’s Finance and Investment Committees. He and his wife, Betsy, make their home in Grand Rapids and have a cottage near Traverse City.
Gisela Lendle King,
Trustee at Large		 Gisela is a medical technician when she isn't working with a nature group. In addition to serving as a Michigan Nature Association trustee, she is on the board of the Detroit Audubon Society and the Michigan Environmental Council. Gisela also co-chairs the Friends of Rose Township. She lives in Holly.
Beverly Bandt Beverly brings experience dealing with a large number of land trusts across the state to the Michigan Nature Association. She is associated with the Keweenaw Land Trust, Copper Harbor Audubon, and several other regional Michigan land conservancy groups. Beverly and her husband, David, live near Applegate in Sanilac County.
Cheryl Collins Cheryl is a former Project Assistant with the Sanilac County Economic Development Corporation. She also chaired the Lakeshore Watershed Project Education Committee and was a drain inspector with the St. Clair County Drain Office. Cheryl enjoys cross-breeding Morgan and Standard bred horses and growing organic vegetables. She lives in Rochester Hills, Michigan, with her husband, Bill.
Fred Dye Fred received a degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University in 1942. After serving as a civilian medium tank expert in World War II, he worked primarily in product planning at Ford Motor Company for 30 years. Fred has been with the Michigan Nature Association for 12 years and currently serves as the Field Trip Committee Chair. He can often be seen representing the Michigan Nature Association at shows and exhibits and working in the Williamston office. Fred lives in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Rebecca Fox Rebecca is an independent artist in Ludington and a graduate student at Goddard College in Vermont. She is a member of the West Shore Art League, the Alliance for the Great Lakes Partner Network, and the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Congregation and works for West Shore Community College as the coordinator for College for Kids. She also serves as the manager of A Few Friends for the Environment of the World’s (AFFEW) Lincoln River Volunteer Monitoring and Restoration Project.
Debby Igleheart Debby joined the Michigan Nature Association during its campaign to purchase Estivant Pines over 30 years ago. A retired librarian, she is a member of the Oakland Audubon Society, the Leelanau Conservancy, the Sierra Club and the many other environmental groups. Debby and her husband Addison live in Bloomfield Hills.
Stephen Kelley Steve is a University of Michigan botany graduate and practicing environmental, contract, and litigation attorney with Kelley, Casey & Moyer, PC. An MNA member and supporter since 1979, Steve has held numerous leadership positions, including with the State Bar of Michigan Environmental Law Section, the Detroit Regional Chamber Environmental Policy Committee, the University of Detroit Mercy Law Alumni Association, and fundraising campaigns for local schools. Steve is a supporter of the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, the Belle Isle Botanical Society, and other groups. He lives in Grosse Pointe Farms.
Leah Knapp D.V.M Leah, formerly a practicing veterinarian, is a Professor of Biology at Olivet College teaching various courses in ecology, environmental science and medicine. She serves on the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute for Ecological Education’s Advisory Board and is a member of the Wildflower Association of Michigan, the Nature Conservancy and the Michigan Audubon Society. Leah is the faculty advisor for the Earthbound Environmental Awareness Student Organization and oversees the habitat restoration work at Olivet’s biological preserve. She lives in Marshall.
Stan Kuchta Stan Kuchta is a field scientist and plant specialist with the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Previously employed in Great Lakes shipping, his travels led to a life-long interest in the fauna, flora, and cultural history of the Great Lakes area. Stan has long been active in the Michigan Nature Association and chairs the Land Acquisition Committee. He lives with his wife, Brenda, and their two children in Ann Arbor.
Daya Kujansuu Daya is the most recent addition to the MNA Board of Trustees. Born and raised in Detroit, Daya earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wayne State University and taught regular and special education classes in the Detroit Public Schools from 1977 to 1987. She was also affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, and is past president of the Integral Yoga Institute in Detroit. Daya, a vegetarian who has long had a fascination with nature, is married to Glenn, an accomplished photographer, and is a proud mother and grandmother.
Fr. David Neven David serves as the Coptic Minister of the Sophia Centre Spiritual Retreat and is on the Board of the Grand Rapids Gay and Lesbian Community Network. He also works with the West Michigan Lesbian and Gay Community Network, and Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays in Grand Rapids. His love of nature started as a teenager growing up in South Haven. David, who’s been a member of the Michigan Nature Association since visiting Estivant Pines in the 1990s, lives in East Grand Rapids.
David Sharpe David, a retired teacher, served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Education Association and the National Education Association. He is an active member of his community and works extensively with the local Finnish Center in Farmington Hills. David can often be seen putting his Master Gardener skills to work around the Michigan Nature Association office. He and his wife, Jeannette, live in Northville.
Joan Schumaker Chadde Joan is the Education Program Coordinator for the Western U.P. Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education at Michigan Technological University. Author of Michigan's new water quality environmental education curriculum unit for middle schools, Joan has served as an MNA trustee since 2004 and is helping to expand MNA's educational/outreach efforts. She lives in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Margaret Welsch When she isn’t raising chickens or tending her garden, Margaret, a retired cancer technologist, volunteers with Meals on Wheels or at Michigan State University's Wharton Center for the Performing Arts. She chairs the Michigan Nature Association’s Governance Committee, and lives near DeWitt with her husband, Clifford.





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