Jeff O'Connor - Chairman

Jim Frogge - Vice Chairman

Alan Wissmiller - Secretary

Larry Kirchner - Treasurer

Ed Brown - Director

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ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

John Settle

Emilie Janes - Resource Conservationist

Linda Settle - Administrative Coordinator

Crystal Sauder - Educational Coordinator

 

See our Staff Bios below!

I grew up on my family's farm right outside of Roanoke. My passion for conservation has been influenced by growing up in an agricultural community and my experiences at Olivet Nazarene University. In May of 2019, I graduated from ONU with a B.S. in Zoology.​

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I am the Educational Coordinator for the district and work in Educational Outreach, Urban Conservation, and am in the process of learning how to write grants. I help teachers bring current, and important, conservation topics into their classrooms.  I am working on expanding our Urban Conservation programs to reach members of the community. I am also learning how to write grants to bring additional funding to the district.

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During my free time, I enjoy birding, hiking with my dog, Ducky, drinking coffee, sewing/quilting, and working on my forever growing insect collection! 

My roots are anchored on a five acre hobby farm in the rural outskirts of Peotone. Growing up surrounded by fields and forest instilled in me a passion for the outdoors, and an appreciation for the agricultural community. In 2016, I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a B.S. in Zoology.

 

In addition to serving as the RC and managing the Kankakee County SWCD, I work as an adjunct lab  professor for the biology department at ONU. I have a passion for conservation and community outreach, and feel blessed that I have the opportunity to serve and grow in my local community.

 

In my free time, I enjoy hiking, macro photography, birding, and forever expanding my nerdy insect collection!