Our Team

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 thing 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 thing about Blandford: witnessing people enjoying nature on their own terms every day

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, crochet, thrift shopping

Favorite thing 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 thing 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!

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 thing about Blandford: working with the amazing eco-steward volunteers

Dyon Dubero

Maintenance Manager

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 thing 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 thing 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 thing about Blandford: new adventures everyday and working outside with awesome staff, volunteers, and students

Failenn Lally

Volunteer Coordinator

failenn@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240

Started at Blandford: August 2024

Camp Manager

camp@blandfordnaturecenter.org

Started at Blandford:

Education:

Hobbies/Interests:

Favorite thing about 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 thing 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 thing about Blandford: the land, walking the trails, and the passionate people

Sarah Peterson

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 thing 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 thing 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 thing about Blandford:  continually learning and growing among young people while exploring Michigan’s forests and meadows

Laura Matamoros

Program Educator

matamoros@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 137

Started at Blandford: May 2024

Education: BA, Biology (Cornerstone University)

Hobbies/Interests: playing tennis, hiking, watching movies and tv shows

Favorite thing about Blandford:  the amazing people and many interesting facts about animals and nature

Megan Raisch-Jenkins

Program Educator

raisch@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 137

Started at Blandford: September 2024

Education: BS, Environmental Science – biology track (Hope College)

Hobbies/Interests: camping, houseplants, movies, videography

Favorite thing about Blandford:  walking the trails and waving at Quillber the porcupine

MaryHelen Prince

Program Educator

prince@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 113

Started at Blandford: September 2024

Education: BA, Environmental Science w/ Concentration in Conservation (Carthage College)

Hobbies/Interests: art, crafts, hiking, traveling

Favorite thing about Blandford:  contributing to the education of people and sharing things that make our world so amazing!

Mary Holohan

Program Educator

holohan@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 112

Started at Blandford: September 2024

Education: BS, Communication and Media Studies w/ Concentration in Environment (Northern Michigan University)

Hobbies/Interests:

Favorite thing about Blandford:

Sue VanDame

Visitor Services Manager

sue@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 121

Ariana Hernandez

Donor Services Specialist

Natasha Sokolow

Visitor Services Associate

natasha@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 118

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 thing 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 thing 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 thing about Blandford: continuously feeling inspired by the incredible people, the nature that surrounds us, and all that we strive for each day