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Stephen Kelley,
President |
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. |
Margaret Welsch,
Vice President |
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 lives near DeWitt with her husband, Clifford.
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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.
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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. |
Jerry Gray
Member at Large
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Jerry joined MNA in 2006 and serves as the co-steward of the White Pigeon and the Michael Chen sanctuaries. Jerry has been employed with the MMA Praxis Mutual Funds since 1998, working primarily in wholesaling and marketing. He is a graduate of Albion College (BA, economics and management) and Western Michigan University (MA, applied economics). Jerry is an active member of his church and the Kiwanis Club. Jerry lives in White Pigeon with his wife, Becky. They have two daughters and one son.
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| 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. |
Mary Ann Czechowski
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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 Landenberg , Pennsylvania. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Kurt Jung |
Kurt is a software developer with degrees in physics, mechanical engineering and anthropology. His commitment to habitat preservation has made him an active volunteer on various service trips to Pictured Rocks and Isle Royale, and his interest in sustainable farming practices makes him a frequent volunteer at the Charles L. Bowers Farm, an agricultural learning environment in Oakland County. He and his wife Maura, also active in land conservation, live in Beverly Hills, Michigan.
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| 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. |
| Gisela Lendle King |
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. Gisela also co-chairs the Friends of Rose Township and lives in Holly. |
| 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. |
| Don Reed |
Don is retired from the State of Michigan where he worked as a computer systems analyst and software developer. His interests include landscaping for wildlife and native plant propagation, especially woodland wildflowers. He grows native plants from seed for use in his own landscape, or for the nature center he is creating at the Dimondale Elementary School near his home. He also volunteers regularly for MNA stewardship activities, and has been a regular member of MNA's prescribed burn crew. |
| Ed Schools |
Ed Schools lives in Okemos and is currently the Conservation Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Section Leader for the MSU Extension, Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Prior to getting a Masters in Applied Ecology, Ed worked as an engineer in the defense industry. He has a background with land conservancies, serving on the board of the Mid-Michigan Land Conservancy, and helping to found and manage the Sycamore Land Trust in Bloomington, Indiana.
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David Sharpe
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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. |
| Karen Weingarden |
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. |
| Dave Wendling |
Dave was born and raised in Michigan on a dairy farm in Saginaw County where he developed his love of nature. He’s currently a semiretired family physician in southwest Michigan. Since his first encounter with MNA on a field trip to the Hamilton Costal Plane Marsh, Dave has participated in several stewardship work days and field trips and has become a steward himself. In addition to visiting MNA sanctuaries, Dave has an interest in native ferns as well as a long-standing interest in native turtles. As a trustee he looks forward to serving on the MNA Board and guiding the organization as it prepares for future years of conservation. |
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