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Tom Alwin
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Tom is an aquatic biologist in the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program.  His work focuses on prevention and early detection of aquatic invasive species in Michigan’s surface waters through outreach, education, and monitoring.

Ashley Atkinson

Barb Barton
Michigan Department of Transportation
Barb Barton is a water quality specialist, endangered species biologist, author, wild foods forager, and award-winning singer-songwriter. Although she wears many hats, they all involve connecting people with the Earth. Barb has worked on wild rice conservation and education since 2008 and enjoys ricing with her family at Lac Vieux Desert. Her new book Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan (MSU Press) will be released June 2018.

Amy Berry
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Amy Berry is the Wetland Protection Program Policy Coordinator with the Water Resources Division in the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and serves as a technical and regulatory resource for MDEQ staff and the public. She provides guidance and policy development for the best protection and management of the state’s wetland resources, including stakeholder engagement and administration of the newly formed Agricultural Assistance Program. Amy also serves on the Michigan Wetlands Association Board of Directors.

 

Kenneth Bradbury
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

Bonnie Broadwater

Jennifer Buchanan
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Melanie Burdick
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Melanie Burdick has been with EPA Region 5 since 2008 and works with in the wetlands program. She has a B.S. in Environmental Geology from Calvin College in Grand Rapids Michigan and a M.S. in Geology from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. She works primarily with Michigan’s assumed wetlands program, assisting the state to maintain compliance with Clean Water Act Section 404 and reviewing major projects involving wetland, lake, and stream fill. She also works with waters-of-the-U.S. jurisdictional determinations, wetland mitigation banks in Michigan and Indiana, and grant reviews.

Patrick Doran
The Nature Conservancy
Dr. Patrick Doran currently serves as Associate State Director in Michigan.  In this role, Patrick oversees development and implementation of conservation strategies for The Nature Conservancy’s work in Michigan with contributions throughout the Great Lakes region, North American and globally, including African Great Lakes conservation.  Under his leadership, The Nature Conservancy focuses on strategies that address protected areas establishment and management, sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture, coastal management, invasive species, fisheries and aquatic connectivity restoration, urban conservation, climate change adaptation, and underlying measures of success, monitoring and information management.

Erick Elgin
Michigan State University Extension
Erick Elgin, M.S. is an aquatic ecologist and Water Resources Educator with Michigan State University Extension. His job responsibilities include providing expertise in aquatic ecology to residents and organizations and to deliver educational programs that promote our understanding about water resources. Erick is from Minnesota where he studied natural resources management and worked with multiple habitat restoration companies and organizations. He also has a master’s degree in aquatic ecology from the University of Calgary where he studied shallow lakes in Alberta, Canada. He has extensive experience working with lakes, wetlands, and aquatic plants.

Kim Fish
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Kim is presently the Assistant Division Director of the Water Resources Division in the Department of Environmental Quality. In this capacity, Kim oversees the resource and surface water programs; including; Great Lakes, wetlands, inland lakes and streams, floodplains, water use, nonpoint source, and water monitoring. Prior to this position, Kim was the Assistant Division Chief for the former Land and Water Management Division, where she was responsible for the administration of the land and water interface programs.

Chad Fizzell
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Chad Fizzell works as a GIS Specialist in the Wetlands, Lakes, and Streams Unit within the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Though he is involved in many aspects of the Wetlands program, Chad is the Department expert in the Landscape Level Assessment of Wetlands, Wetland Inventory, and Remote Sensing. Chad was also the lead in developing and adapting the NWI+ methodology and Landscape Level Wetland Functional Assessment process in Michigan, Wetlands Map Viewer, and MIWaters Spatial Decision Support Tools.

Nate Fuller
Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy
Nate Fuller is the Conservation and Stewardship Director for Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. He works with partners and volunteers to develop and implement conservation and restoration projects throughout southwest Michigan. Nate has worked on fen habitat protection and restoration for Mitchell’s satyrs and massasauga rattlesnakes with conservation partners for over 15 years. He received a degree in biology from Northland College and a master’s degree in geography with an emphasis in environmental and resource analysis from Western Michigan University. Nate has over 20 years of experience working for non-profit conservation organizations providing environmental stewardship and education.

Anne Garwood
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Anne Garwood is the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Ecologist for the Water Resources Division in the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Anne is the lead staff on Michigan’s wetland monitoring efforts including planning and implementation of monitoring projects, and as a co-principal investigator on the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring project. Anne provides technical expertise and assistance on protection, management, and restoration of Great Lakes coastal wetlands to regulatory staff, other state agencies, and the general public. Anne also works on climate change adaptation for Michigan’s wetlands and waters, and on aquatic invasive species management efforts through participation on the Michigan Invasive Species Core Teams.

Ralph Haefner
Michigan-Ohio Water Science Center and U.S. Geological Survey
Ralph Haefner is the Deputy Director for the U.S. Geological Survey Michigan Water Science Center in Lansing. He has worked for the USGS for about 31 years in various capacities and most of his scientific research has focused on groundwater hydrology and water quality resulting in over 30 peer-reviewed publications. Ralph received his BS in Geology from the State University of New York, College at Oneonta, an MS in geology from Bowling Green State University, and a Ph.D. in geology from Ohio State University.

Steve Hamilton
Michigan State University
Steve is an ecosystem scientist and biogeochemist based at the Kellogg Biological Station of Michigan State University. He received his PhD at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1994, and his MS at the University of Colorado. Steve’s research interests involve ecology and biogeochemistry, including wetlands, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and watersheds, as well as the effects of agriculture on water and climate. Since 2006 he has led the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council in Michigan and often interacts with the public and policymakers. He has received awards for his engagement with environmental issues from the Michigan Environmental Council (2014) and the Society for Freshwater Science (2015).

Ben Heerspink
Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway
Ben is a land manager who has worked on several wetland restorations, invasive species removal projects, prescribed burns, wildlife habitat restorations and reforestation projects. Ben began work with the Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway as their land manager in 2014, where he manages 1,500 acres of greenspace within the Macatawa and Kalamazoo watershed. He also manages Outdoor Discovery Center Conservation Services which provides land management services to municipalities, businesses, and private landowners. These include herbicide applications, biological controls for invasive species, habitat development, and native plantings.

Larissa Hererra
Holland Engineering
Larissa Herrera is an aquatic biologist with over eight years of experience in natural resource assessment, including wetland delineations, environmental permitting, stream assessments, mussel/macroinvertebrate surveys and identification, and threatened and endangered species surveys. Larissa graduated with a B.S. in Biology and PITE from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in Water Resource Science from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Larissa recently moved back to the mitten to work for Holland Engineering’s Environmental Group. Larissa holds a USFWS permit to survey and handle federally listed mussel species. Her favorite mussels are the spectaclecase and snuffbox.

Stacy Hissong
Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC
Stacy L. Hissong specializes in drain law and public projects. She has worked with over forty county Drain Commissioners throughout the state. Stacy serves as General Counsel and Legislative Counsel for the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners. She works closely with clients on many permit issues involving wetlands, floodplains, and inland lakes and streams, and regularly provides input and testimony on legislative issues involving environmental regulation on public projects. Stacy is also a general licensed real estate appraiser, licensed to appraise all types of real property in the State of Michigan.

Daria Hyde
Michigan Natural Feature Inventory
Daria Hyde has worked at MNFI for 23 years as a conservation scientist conducting surveys and promoting the protection of Michigan’s rare species and natural communities. She works with agencies, local units of government and other interested parties to help them incorporate natural resource protection into their planning efforts. She also collaborates with partners to develop citizen science programs to increase the capacity of local stewards to conduct surveys and monitor threats to plant and animals within Michigan’s native communities. Daria received a BS in wildlife management from Michigan State University and an MS in conservation biology from Central Michigan University.

Garret Johnson
Michigan Nature Association
Garret Johnson is Executive Director of the Michigan Nature Association and a Co-Chair of the Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership. Established in 1952, the mission of the Michigan Nature Association is to protect Michigan’s rare, threatened and endangered species and imperiled natural communities. Previously, Garret served as Director of Federal Affairs for Pacific Forest Trust; Senior Business Advisor for The Nature Conservancy’s global Conservation Strategies Division; Assistant State Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Michigan Chapter; Vice President of The Economic Alliance for Michigan; and Policy Adviser for the Michigan House of Representatives. He holds degrees in Astrophysics and Mathematics, both from Michigan State University.

Jeremy Jones
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Jeremy Jones has worked with geospatial technologies since 2006 and holds a Master’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University in Geographic Information Systems. As an employee for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Jeremy works on various projects including Enhanced NWI, coastal zone projects, enforcement cases, conservation easements and various aerial photo interpretation requests. Jeremy has worked with the National Wetland Inventory Data for over 10 years and is excited to share the improvements made to the data using the improved technologies available today.

Julia Kirkwood
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Julia has worked as a natural resource professional for over 20 years.  For the past 15 years she has worked for the MDEQ Nonpoint Source Pollution Program collaborating with watershed stakeholders to protect and restore rivers and lakes that are threatened or have been impacted due to runoff associated with a variety of land uses. She currently serves as the chair of the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership and as co-chair of the MNSP Outreach and Education Sub-Committee. In this role she has led the development of inland lake property owner outreach documents and programs including the shoreline educator network training, the MNSP Property Owner Guidebook and the MI Shoreland Stewards Program.

Matthew Kowalski

Roger LaBine
Water Resource Technician Lac Vieux Desert Environmental Department

Yu Man Lee
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Yu Man Lee is a Conservation Scientist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Yu Man received a B.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and a M.S. in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University.  Her primary areas of responsibility at MNFI include conducting surveys, research, and monitoring for rare, threatened, and endangered amphibians and reptiles, including the eastern massasauga; helping to maintain Michigan’s Natural Heritage Database; and providing technical assistance to inform biodiversity conservation in Michigan. Yu Man has been mapping, surveying, and conducting trainings on vernal pools since 2012, and is one of the co-chairs of the Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership.

Sarah LeSage
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Sarah LeSage is an Aquatic Biologist Specialist with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and is the Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator for the state of Michigan.  Sarah has served in this capacity since 2010 where she organizes statewide interdepartmental efforts to prevent, detect, and control aquatic invasive species.

Brent Lofgren
National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
Brent Lofgren is a physical scientist at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Brent holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Augsburg College and a Ph.D. in atmospheric and oceanic sciences from Princeton University. He is the author of many peer-reviewed articles related to climate change and the Great Lakes.

Todd Losee
Niswander Environmental
Todd is an Ecologist/Project Manager specializing in wetland and stream restoration and mitigation. He has designed, constructed, and monitored several hundred acres of wetland and several two-stage ditch and natural channel stream restorations.  Since 2014, Todd has served as a summer instructor for Michigan State University teaching Wetland Ecology and Management at the Kellogg Biological Station.  Prior to his time at Niswander Environmental, he worked as a wetland, lakes and stream specialist/analyst for fifteen years with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).  Todd is currently the President of the Michigan Wetlands Association.

Brian Majka
GEI Consultants of Michigan
Brian is a professional restoration ecologist with extensive experience in project oversight, design and implementation of wetland construction, soft shoreline engineering, prairie planting, natural areas management and best management practice (BMP) design projects with more than 17 years of experience throughout the country. Brian is responsible for project management of ecological restoration planning, design and implementation projects for GEI, co-authored the state Certified Natural Shoreline Professional Training Manual and has given public presentations on ecological restoration and natural shoreline restoration throughout the country. Brian has a BS in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from Purdue University.

Bethany Makousek
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

W. Michael McDavit
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
W. Michael McDavit is the Chief of the Program Development and Jurisdiction Branch, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, HQ, USEPA.  He administers technical and financial assistance for State and Tribal wetland programs and oversees the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act, including the ongoing regulations on Waters of the U.S.  His +35 federal year career has spanned a variety of environmental disciplines, including regulation of pesticides, management of hazardous waste, and air and water pollution control. Mike holds a BS in Environmental Science from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay and a MPA from the George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Matt Meersman
St. Joseph River Basin Commission
Matt Meersman developed a strong connection to the water growing up near the St. Joseph River and spending summer weekends at his family’s lake cottage in southern Michigan. He now lives along the river in downtown South Bend, IN and works as the Director of the St. Joseph River Basin Commission. He also serves as President of the Friends of the St. Joe River Association.  His passion for protecting the water comes from a love of being on and in it. When he is not working on watershed projects, you will likely find him paddling canoes and kayaks on lakes and rivers in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. He enjoys competing in marathon canoe races, paddling his whitewater kayak and exploring small streams in a recreational canoe.

Stephen Metzer
DLZ Michigan, Inc.
Steve Metzer is DLZ’s lead wetland specialist. He has been doing wetland work since 1989 and was certified as a PWS in 1995. A graduate of Central Michigan University, he is responsible for delineations, permitting, and wetland design throughout the Midwest. He has designed wetlands for numerous MDOT projects, as well as other clients, and been with DLZ since 1998.

David Mifsud
Herpetological Resource and Management, LLC
David Mifsud is a certified professional wetland scientist, professional ecologist, and professional wildlife biologist. He has worked for over 20 years in wildlife biology, wetland ecology, and habitat conservation and management, with an emphasis on herpetofauna. David is Co-chair of the State of Michigan Amphibian and Reptile Technical Advisory board. He also administers the Michigan Herpetological Atlas project and chairs the Michigan chapter of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (MIPARC). Mifsud is the author of the Amphibian & Reptile Best Management Practices for Michigan and co-author of the revised edition of Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region Revised Edition.

Rob Myllyoja
Stantec
Rob is a project manager with over 20 years of experience. He works with Stantec’s stream restoration group.

Joe Nohner
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Joe Nohner is the Lake Habitat Analyst for the Michigan DNR and the Coordinator of the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership. He works with DNR Fisheries Biologists on lake habitat issues, shares DNR lake information and resources with others, and coordinates with fisheries and lake groups across eight states to improve lake habitat science, funding, communication and conservation techniques. Joe’s grandparents owned a mom-and-pop resort on a lake in Minnesota where he spent much of his childhood. He has an MS in Natural Resources and Environment from the University of Michigan and PhD in Fisheries from Michigan State University.

Greg Norwood
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Greg is the Invasive Species Coordinator for the Michigan DNR-Wildlife Division. He was previously the wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. He has worked on research and education at urban natural areas in Wayne County including the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Crosswinds Marsh Wetland Interpretive Preserve and balanced that perspective with conducting migratory bird research in remote areas on the North Slope of Alaska and the western Upper Peninsula.

Margaret O’Connor
Consumers Energy
Margaret has been fortunate to work at Consumers Energy for coming up on 30 years.  During that time she has influenced her co-workers, especially those in the gas transmission construction department, to change their ways when constructing natural gas pipelines.  When first assigned working with the gas department she thought her supervisor didn’t like her anymore.  Now she enjoys working on large pipeline construction such as 36-inches in diameter and 24 miles long. That’s 200 acres or more of earth disturbance. Yes these pipelines go through wetlands, super fund sites, state recreation areas, national wildlife refuges, under rivers, through cemeteries, backyards, front yards, ponds, lakes, and in 2019 through a corn maze.

Todd Ontl
Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science
Todd is the USDA Climate Hub Fellow for the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science and the Northern Forests Climate Hub, located in Houghton, MI. His background includes previous work on native plant community restoration, plant-soil interactions, and climate change impacts to peatland ecosystems. In his current position, he focuses on working with natural resource managers to incorporate climate change adaptation into natural resources decision making.

Jim Ozenberger
U.S. Forest Service
Jim Ozenberger currently serves as the Program Manager of the Soils, Water and Landscape Ecology Programs on the Hiawatha National Forest.  He has been with the Forest Service for over 30 years and has worked in six National Forest in Western Regions. He has been on the Hiawatha in Michigan since 2009.  He graduated from Colorado State University in 1980 with a BS in Range Ecology.

Michael Pennington
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Michael Pennington is the Wetland Mitigation and Banking Specialist for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Water Resources Division.   Michael serves as the program administrator for DEQ’s Wetland Mitigation and Banking Programs and provides assistance to district staff on complex wetland mitigation issues.  Michael also provides wetland education and training and he plays a pivotal role for the division by providing technical and regulatory guidance for the best protection and management of the state’s wetland resources.  Prior to working for the DEQ, Michael managed the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Wetland Mitigation and Wetland Banking Programs.

Sam Prentice
GEI Consultants of Michigan
Sam Prentice is a licensed civil engineer specializing in ecological design work for GEI Consultants of Michigan. Sam received his bachelor’s degree in biosystems engineering from Michigan State University (GO GREEN!). Before becoming a consultant in 2015, he worked for a local conservation organization right here in Gaylord managing stream restoration projects on the Pigeon, Sturgeon, Black, Thunder Bay, and Au Sable rivers. Through these positions, he is able to blend the technical knowledge of streams and floodplains with the experience of working with private landowners, not-for-profits, commercial clients, and several agencies. He is based out of GEI’s Ann Arbor Office and enjoys returning to northern Michigan to hike and recreate.

Jessica Pruden
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
I graduated with my bachelors of science from Michigan State University.  After graduating, I got a job in Gloucester Massachusetts working for NOAA Fisheries on endangered species conservation and management.  After being out east for 15 years, we decided to return to the mid-west where I work for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Field Office, on endangered species conservation issues.  My focus species are freshwater mussels and copperbelly watersnake.

Ralph Reznick
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Senior Engineer for Michigan’s Nonpoint Source Program. Worked for the DNR/DEQ/DNRE for 37 years all in water quality protection. Provides program expertise in stormwater and runoff control design including green infrastructure and river restoration techniques. Lives in Dimondale on the banks of the Grand River with his wife Linda.

Carrie Rivette
City of Grand Rapids
Carrie Rivette is Stormwater Manager and lead on green infrastructure for the City of Grand Rapids. Carrie is a Professional Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University.  She has over 20 years of experience in the environmental and water resources field. Currently, she is part of the City’s Vital Streets team working to ensure that as streets get redeveloped they are both complete and green.

John Roda

Steve Roznowski
Spicer Group Inc
Steve Roznowski is a licensed professional engineer and Senior Associate at Spicer Group, Inc. He is a project manager specializing in water resources and works extensively with drain and water resource commissioners throughout Michigan. His work has included real-world use and development of technology solutions for collecting and inventorying drains and wetlands. Steve earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University and a master’s degree focusing on hydrology and hydrologic science from Colorado State University.

Stephen Samuels
Department of Justice (Retired)
Stephen Samuels was previously Assistant Chief of the Environmental Defense Section of the Environment & Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where he supervised a staff of 15 attorneys handling federal district court litigation involving all the major environmental pollution statutes. Mr. Samuels has 31 years of experience enforcing and defending the Clean Water Act Section 404 regulatory program.  During that time, he helped lead the federal government’s litigation responses to the Supreme Court’s decisions in SWANCC, Rapanos, Sackett and Hawkes. Until his retirement in January 2017, Mr. Samuels headed the DOJ litigation team that defended multiple challenges to the Clean Water Rule.

Bill Schneider
Wildtype
Bill Schneider, founder and owner of Wildtype, received his MLA in ’94 from the University of Michigan SNRE- Landscape Architecture Program and his BS in ’80 from Michigan State University – College of Agriculture.
 
Wildtype Native Plants – Ecological services LTD., was established in 1996, and provides ecological design & consulting services for public, commercial and residential projects focusing on restoration and preservation of native landscape.  Wildtype also operates a nursery, growing over 250 species of native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses and emergent wetland plants.  

Charles Simon

Allison Smart
Wildtype Native Plants • Ecological services LTD., was established in 1996, and provides ecological design & consulting services for public, commercial and residential projects focusing on restoration and preservation of native landscape.   Wildtype also operates a nursery, growing over 250 species of native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses and emergent wetland plants.  

Marla Stelk
Association of State Wetland Managers
Marla Stelk is a Policy Analyst at the Association of State Wetlands Managers (ASWM). She has been researching and writing about best management practices for wetland restoration for the past four years and has led ASWM’s efforts in the areas of ecosystem services, invasive species, watershed planning and climate change. Marla facilitates the Wetland Mapping Consortium and the Natural Floodplain Functions Alliance and leads ASWM’s Communications Team. She is the editor of Wetland Breaking News and author of the blog “For Peat’s Sake!”  She received her B.A. in Environmental Issues from Colorado College and her M.A. in Community Planning & Development from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine.

Jerry Stewart

Keith Tollenaere
Golder Associates Inc.
Mr. Tollenaere is a Professional Wetland Scientist and Senior Ecologist with over 12 years of professional experience at Golder Associates.  His primary practice areas include ecological assessments, permitting (e.g., Section 404, NPDES, Section 401, NEPA), and project management for a wide range of clients including those in mining, waste management, oil and gas development, transmission and distribution, transportation, power, manufacturing and commercial small business.  Mr. Tollenaere has worked on a large number of contaminated sites, partnering with Golder’s remediation group to integrate skills necessary to successfully meet the goals of variable and complex remediation projects.

Sarah U’Ren
The Watershed Center Grand
Sarah U’Ren has served as the Program Director for The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay (TWC) for the past 15 years. She is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all watershed projects and grant activities at TWC and has 17 years of experience in watershed project management, research, and fieldwork. She authored the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan, specializes in beach and stormwater management and stormwater related restoration activities, and has overseen more than 65 grant funded projects in her tenure at TWC.  Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Alma College and a master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland.

Don Uzarski
Central Michigan University
Dr. Don Uzarski, CMU Professor of Biology, serves as the Director of CMU’s Institute for Great Lakes Research and Biological Station on Beaver Island, MI. He is a limnologist and aquatic ecologist with a focus on measures of ecosystem health of Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Uzarski leads a 10-year $20 million Great Lakes coastal wetland-monitoring program for the US EPA.  He can speak to a wide range of topics including human impacts on waterways, indicators of ecosystem health, pollution and runoff and the overall health of the Great Lakes.  He has published over 60 peer-reviewed manuscripts, most of which have been wetlands related.

Jeremie Wilson
Michigan Department of Transportation
Jeremie Wilson is the Wetland Mitigation Specialist for the Michigan Department of Transportation. A graduate of Michigan State University, he is responsible for planning, developing, and administering MDOT’s Wetland Mitigation Program, statewide. He has held this position with MDOT since 2012.

Bob Wilson
Michigan Trails and Greenways
Bob Wilson served for 28 years a Senior Policy Advisor in the Michigan Senate where he helped writeMichigan’s environmental and conservation laws, ranging from the Great Lakes Basin Compact, to the state park recreation passport to invasive species prevention laws. Bob has been teaching environmental law and policy to MSU students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources since 2000. In that capacity, Bob brings real-world policy and law issues to his students and challenges them to become citizen-stewards and advocates for conserving natural resources. Today, Bob is the executive director of Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, the state’s premier trail-building organization.

Tom Zimnicki
Michigan Environmental Council
Tom Zimnicki is the Agriculture Policy Director at the Michigan Environmental Council.   He joined the Council in 2016 and dabbles in diverse policy topics ranging from nutrient management, wetland protection, pollinator health, the Drain Code, and organic materials management.  Prior to joining the Council Tom worked at Kieser & Associates, LLC where he specialized in water quality trading and environmental market development.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Adrian College and master’s degrees in environmental science and public affairs from Indiana University.