| Alice VanZoeren
email: sandhill_ed@hotmail.com
I've worked as a naturalist for 30 years, 21 of them in Leelanau County, and I enjoy sharing my interest in nature with people of all ages. I have a degree in Natural History education from U of M. Birds, animal tracks, aquatic life, phenology, spiders, and frogs are special interests of mine. Being a student of nature is fun because there is always a new surprise; I'll never run out of new things to learn and discover. I volunteer as a Docent to help the Leelanau Conservancy because I appreciate the work the Conservancy has done to protect land in our county. Tom Dunfee
email: dunfee@centurytel.net
Following semi-retirement from the practice of medicine, I have been a Docent with the Leelanau Conservancy for several years. Although I am not a naturalist by training, I have a love of Leelanau County and a reverence for all of its landscapes, flora and fauna. This interest has motivated me to learn as much as I can about the balance and the uniqueness of our land and its inhabitants. I especially enjoy geologic history, wildflowers, trees and learning from you why this place is so special. Tom also serves as the Conservancy Board President. Mary Lyons
email: mary14@localnet.com
I have been leading hikes for the Conservancy since the Docent program began in 2000. While I am not a trained naturalist, I have acquired a fair bit of knowledge about the natural world through extensive reading, taking classes and working with my fellow Docents. Age is what I have going for me in terms of my cumulative knowledge! I know quite a bit about birds, wildflowers and in particular, Monarch butterflies. You’ll find me most often leading hikes at Kehl Lake Natural Area, where I love the feel of the place and its history. I tend to move slowly to talk about all the things we’ll see along the way. While I hope those along on my hikes learn something, I am more interested in them enjoying their walk in the woods, and want them to be so grateful that someone has protected these beautiful places forever.
Marsha Buehler
email: buehlerm@earthlink.net
Like many who are in love with the Leelanau,ever since I was a small child I have always been happiest here. I have enjoyed being a docent for four years. Over the years I have acquired a fair knowledge of our area,and much of my training as a naturalist has been through the Conservancy's Docent Program. I have adecent knowledge of wildflowers and native plants, and am fascinated by the lore and history of the Conservancy's natural areas. I most often take groups to Kehl, Whaleback, and Houdek Dunes, and especially enjoy the energy of school group field trips.My hikes are often pretty leisurely,as there is always something worthy of discussion, a story to hear, a log to look under. I learn something new on every hike and have found participants' willingness to share their knowledge and expertise to be one of the joys of being a docent. Another joy is the opportunity to introduce another, child or adult, to the pleasures of a walk in the woods. Jack Schultz
email: nwoodpc@chartermi.net
Leelanau County, as we all know, is truly a special place. Its varied landscapes and plant and animal life make it a wonderful place to live or visit. I became a docent so I could use my professional forestry and ecological knowledge to help others appreciate the county and understand how to preserve and protect its unique features. I have a Ph.D. in forestry and worked at three different universities before settling in northern Michigan in 1977. Since 1995, I've been involved in the Conservancy's education program and I enjoy leading people of all ages on hikes. Bobbie Poor
email: jtpoor@peoplepc.com
From the grandmother who kept "pet" snakes in her woodpile, the stepfather who patiently helped classify a 100-insect collection, the botany teacher who sizzled fungi over a high school Bunsen burner to the college prof who inspired awe in diversity, great teachers have blessed my life. I have been warped by the wonders of the natural world and infected by enthusiasm for them. In one capacity or another for most of a long life, I have shared information about things buggy, leafy, feathery, scaly or furry with anyone who will listen -- as scout leader, zoo, Audubon & Saving Birds thru Habitat docent. Being a Conservancy docent offers a way to share the wonders of this very special part of the world with those who seek delight, wisdom or solace outdoors. And from them, as all docents know, I will learn more than I can teach. David Harris
email: harris_david@charter.net
Although not a naturalist by background, I have an abiding respect for nature. I know of no better way to express that respect than to serve as a docent for the Leelanau Conservancy and to learn to support its mission of preserving the land, water, and scenic beauty of this uniquely splendid county. My wife and I, both teachers, recently retired to Leelanau, she from Cranbrook Schools in Birmingham and I from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. As a retired professor of teacher education whose emphasis has been on the teaching of social studies, I look forward to instilling an environmental ethic in my new role as docent. Ann Mason
email: hefalump@umich.edu
I grew up in Nebraska and lived in Iowa for quite a few years before moving to Michigan in 1979. I simply fell in love with northern Michigan's lakes, streams, dunes, views, and wildlife, and knew that I wanted to spend large amounts of time here. As a retired university professor, speech-language pathologist, and health-care administrator, I have some background in biology and neuroscience, but no formal training in forestry or wildlife management. Still, I've always loved the "out of doors", and I am an avid gardener and back yard birder. Training to be a Docent has given me a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this beautiful part of the world, and I look forward to sharing that knowledge with others who I hope will come to love Leelanau County as I do. Ann McInnis
email: dmcinnis@tir.com
I am a retired Cranbrook Schools science teacher and currently a part-time Interpretive Naturalist with Oakland County Parks. I love to share my life-long, keen enthusiasm for all things science/nature with folks of any age, and aim to make their outdoor experience a treasured one of learning and fun. Through guided questioning, I try to engage participants in making perceptive observations and exciting discoveries while sharing tidbits from my own quite extensive background. I like to enhance my hikes with hands-on learning tools, appropriate artifacts and sometimes special activities, and always welcome additional input from everyone. Pam Schmidt
email: schmidt.pam@gmail.com I found my way back to Leelanau County a few years ago, having been fortunate to have grown up in this beautiful place, enjoying the water, forests, and yes -- even the snow! My background includes a variety of pursuits, including: teaching inner city kids; three years in the rainforest of Ecuador with the Peace Corps; running an ecology-based field trip program in the Western UP; developing environmental ed. materials for statewide use; and most recently, working with MSU Extension as the Home Horticulturalist for Leelanau County. As a Conservancy Docent, I hope to help others develop a “sense of place,” appreciation for, and connection to our local environment. I particularly look forward to working with folks of all ages, including school groups and families. Specific interests of mine include wildflowers, insects, wildlife tracking, and invasive species. Lisa Myers email: myers5th@charter.net David Amos email: mideamos@hotmail.com Roland Drayson email:drayson@umich.edu Judy Hoeffler email: jshoeffler@hotmail.com Sharon Oriel email: shoriel@aol.com Holly Pharmer email: pharmerhol@aol.com Lou Ricord louricord@hotmail.com Ed Arnfield edacja@yahoo.com | |  | | |
