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Stephen Kelley,
President
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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.
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Margaret Welsch,
Vice President
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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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Kurt Jung,
Secretary
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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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Jerry Gray,
Treasurer
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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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Aubrey Golden,
Member-at-Large
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Aubrey taught in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District for 34 years and
also served for several years as the President of the Walled Lake Education
Association. Aubrey has been actively involved in conservation issues in
Michigan since 1983 when he helped establish the Michigan Karst Conservancy. He
served as the fundraising chair and vice-president and in various other
committee functions up to 1993 when he was elected President of the all
volunteer organization and has served in this position since then. Aubrey is
well versed in the standards and practices that an organization should follow
in order to operate in an ethical manner and is familiar with the accreditation
process.
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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.
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Stanley Dole
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The Michigan Nature Association is extremely thankful to have Stan, a
semi-retired Certified Public Accountant, on our Board of Trustees. He 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.
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Debby Igleheart
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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.
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Gisela Lendle King
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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.
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Stan Kuchta
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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.
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Fr. David Neven
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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.
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Don Reed
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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.
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Ed Schools
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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 science 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 has used his skills as a master
gardener in guiding the formation and development of “Finlandia
Gardens” of the Finnish Center Association in Farmington Hills. He
and his wife, Jeannette, live in a NWF certified habitat in Farmington Hills.
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Karen Weingarden
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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.
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