Administration
Steve Wilson
President & CEO
steve@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 120
Started at Blandford: February 2023
Education: MBA (University of Michigan)
BA, Journalism (Michigan State University)
Hobbies/Interests: fishing, golf, cooking and drumming with a garage band
Favorite part about Blandford: the incredible legacy of founder Mary Jane Dockeray, and how her vision advances our work into the future
Jennifer Brown
Chief Operating Officer
jennifer@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 108
Started at Blandford: June 2014
Education: MS, Outdoor Recreation (Aurora University)
BS, Natural Resources & Environment (University of Michigan)
Certificate in Nonprofit Management (University of Alaska-Fairbanks)
Hobbies/Interests: baking, running, traveling
Favorite part about Blandford: witnessing people enjoying nature on their own terms every day
Jaime Dobson
Director of Finance & HR
jaime@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 122
Started at Blandford: March 2017
Education: BA, Interpersonal Communications (Michigan State University)
Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation (International Wildlife Rehab Council)
Hobbies/Interests: camping/hiking with pets, live music, art glass creations
Favorite part about Blandford: working with an amazing group of talented, mission-driven staff
Heather Lewis
Director of Programs
heather@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 115
Started at Blandford: September 2017
Education: MS, Infectious Disease Epidemiology (University of Oxford)
MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education (University of Michigan)
BA, Anthropology (Harvard University)
Certificate in Montessori Early Childhood (New England Montessori Teacher Education Center)
Hobbies/Interests: reading, traveling, spending time with family and pets
Favorite part about Blandford: working in a beautiful setting with an incredible, passionate group of people
Kate Klemp
Director of Development
klemp@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 127
Started at Blandford: March 2024
Education: BA, Public Relations (Western Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: outside adventures with family, crafting, finding a ray of sunlight for napping
Favorite part about Blandford: the ability to inspire, educate and care for the natural world is essential for every community, but to have the passionate and talented team here is a gift!
Cameron Popa
Office Coordinator & Bookkeeper
cameron@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: January 2019
Education: BA, English Language & Literature (Western Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, videogames, walking/hiking
Favorite part about Blandford: learning new things every day and building relationships with incredible people
Land Stewardship
Julie Batty
Land Stewardship Manager
julie@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 124
Started at Blandford: January 2017
Education: MS, Biology (Grand Valley State University)
BS, Wildlife Biology (University of Missouri)
Hobbies/Interests: visiting Lake Michigan, dancing, and telling people all about plants
Favorite part about Blandford: working with the amazing eco-steward volunteers
Dyon Dubero
Maintenance & Land Stewardship Technician
dyon@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: October 2018
Education: BS, Natural Resource Management (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: fishing, video games, soccer
Favorite part about Blandford: working with a great group of staff and working outdoors
Katie Goplerud-Smith
Land Stewardship Technician
goplerud-smith@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: June 2021
Education: BS, Wildlife Ecology: Research & Management (University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, running, traveling, fly fishing, learning about nature
Favorite part about Blandford: always finding something new on the trails and working with an awesome team
Chris Kemler
Maintenance Technician
chris@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: February 2024
Education: AA, Theater & General Studies (Pima Community College)
Hobbies/Interests: camping, hiking, music, traveling, reading, laughter, playing in a band
Favorite part about Blandford: new adventures everyday and working outside with awesome staff, volunteers, and students
Visitor Services & Rentals
Ariana Hernandez
Visitor Services & Office Associate
ariana@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 118
Started at Blandford: August 2023
Education: MS, Entomology – Integrated Pest Management (Michigan State University), BS, Zoology – Neurobiology/Animal Behavior (Michigan State University)
Hobbies/Interests: exploring nature, cooking, spending time with my fur babies and family/friends
Favorite part about Blandford: having new experiences every day and seeing our community connect with nature
Programs & Wildlife
Mary Rose Jones
Camp Manager
maryrose@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 105
camp@blandfordnaturecenter.org
Started at Blandford: August 2017
Education: BAA, Outdoor Recreation/Environmental Education (Central Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: camping/birding, movies/shows, cuddling with pets
Favorite part about Blandford: having new experiences, or learning something new each day at Blandford
Lori Lomoro
Wildlife Manager
lori@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 101
Started at Blandford: May 2002
Education: BS, Wildlife Biology (Grand Valley State University)
Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation, Zoonoses, Reuniting Raptors, Wound Management (International Wildlife Rehab Council)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, crafting, thrift shopping
Favorite part about Blandford: caring for wildlife in a beautiful setting
Camilla Voelker
Community Programs Manager
camilla@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 102
Started at Blandford: May 2022
Education: BA, Environmental Studies & Spanish (Western Michigan University)
Certified Michigan Master Naturalist (Michigan State University)
Hobbies/Interests: cooking/eating, hiking, gardening, crafting
Favorite part about Blandford: the land, walking the trails, and the passionate people
Katie Cevaal
Camp Administrator & Education Specialist
cevaal@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 113
Started at Blandford: February 2022
Education: BA, Environmental Studies (Illinois Wesleyan University)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, cooking, gardening, spending time with family
Favorite part about Blandford: learning something new everyday
Sarah Chertos
Wildlife Education Specialist
sarah@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 114
Started at Blandford: June 2014
Education: BS, Biology Natural Resources and Outdoor & Environmental Recreation (Central Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: swimming, birding, herping (searching for herptiles)
Favorite part about Blandford: daily opportunities to help the community fall in love with wildlife and nature
Samantha Kotarski
Program Educator & Administration Associate
samantha@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 109
Started at Blandford: June 2022
Education: BS, Wildlife Biology (University of Michigan-Flint)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, crafting, wakeboarding, movies
Favorite part about Blandford: learning new things every day from other staff members
Izzy Saylor
Off-Site Programs Coordinator
izzy@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 113
Started at Blandford: September 2023
Education: BS, Environmental Stewardship and Outdoor Education (Fairhaven College at Western Washington University)
Hobbies/Interests: going to the beach, surfing, bikes, marbling fabric
Favorite part about Blandford: continually learning and growing among young people while exploring Michigan’s forests and meadows
Farm
Liz Visser
Farm Manager
liz@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 125
Started at Blandford: April 2016
Education: BA, Art & Design (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: cooking, quilting, painting portraits, knitting, embroidery
Favorite part about Blandford: contributing to the sustainability and local food movement in a hands-on way
Sarah Bass
Farm Programs Specialist
bass@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 107
Started at Blandford: January 2022
Education: BA, English Literature and Gender Studies (Calvin College)
Hobbies/Interests: collecting rocks, reading poetry, swimming in the Great Lakes
Favorite part about Blandford: the constant learning of new things and the chance to share the magic of plants and seeds and soil with others
Katie Wazny
Farm Production Specialist
wazny@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: November 2023
Education: General Education (Delta College)
ServSafe Manager and Allergen Certified (American National Standards Institute)
Hobbies/Interests: painting, cooking, baking, yoga, weight lifting
Favorite part about Blandford: continuously feeling inspired by the incredible people, the nature that surrounds us, and all that we strive for each day
Board of Directors
Officers |
|
|---|---|
| Matt Cook • Chair Lake Michigan Credit Union |
Bob Tsironis • Treasurer Burnham & Company |
| Andy Beachnau • Vice-Chair Grand Valley State University |
Gustavo Perez • Secretary Kent County Community Action |
Members |
|
|---|---|
| Mark Augustyn Mercantile Bank |
Linda LaFontsee LaFontsee Galleries |
| Beth Cranson Corewell Health |
Lisa Oliver-King Our Kitchen Table |
| Shavon Doyle-Holton Inclusive Performance Strategies |
Jeff Towner Merrill Lynch |
| Yumiko Jakobcic Grand Valley State University |
Keith Winn Catalyst Partners |
Emeritus Board Members |
|
|---|---|
| Laurie Gardner Community Volunteer |
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