Tel: (231) 757-3707 ext. 102

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Dani joined the Mason-Lake Conservation District at the end of 2015 and transitioned to the District Manager position in 2017. In her capacity as Manager, she collaborates with partner organizations and local landowners to complete conservation activities in our community. This may happen through collaboration on grant applications, linking landowners with the appropriate technical experts (on staff or elsewhere) and promoting existing programs for funding conservation projects. Dani came to the District with experience in habitat restoration and invasive species management. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from Michigan Tech University and a Master's of Science in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan.

Tel: 231-757-3707 ext. 107

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Andrew Booher comes to us from Evart, Michigan. Born and raised on a seventh generation family farm, Andrew attended Michigan State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management. Working for MAEAP has been a goal of Andrew’s since he was in high school and being able to serve the farm and natural resource communities of Manistee, Mason and Lake counties to the best standard is a passion for him. In his free time, he raises registered Herefords and coaches youth Basketball. 

Tel: 231-757-3707 ext. 5

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Symon grew up in Newaygo, MI in a family run Ace Hardware store. He pursued a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Ferris State University. Since receiving his degree, he has worked in academic Forestry labs at MSU, private vegetation management companies, MiDNR, and has been a Conservation District employee for 4 years. His skills excel in sustainable land management, watershed and habitat improvement, cropping systems, and plant identification. He has a natural ability to communicate local, state and federal cost-share programs. He cherishes the opportunity to get on site and walk landowners’ properties to discuss and recommend sustainable best management practices. He is excited to get to know the Mason and Lake County landowners to get conservation on the ground.

Tel: 231-757-3707 ext. 112

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Kay grew up in Ludington, MI where she spent her summers in any of the local lakes, rivers and state parks. Whether it was swimming, fishing, jet skiing, or simply taking in the serene surroundings, it instilled a profound appreciation for nature. Kay’s academic pursuits led her to earn an Associate degree in Accounting from West Shore Community College and further pursuing a Bachelor’s in Accounting Fraud at Davenport University. When she is not immersed in the world of numbers and spreadsheets, she cherishes quality time with her son and two beloved dogs. She is also an avid gamer and music enthusiast, enjoys baking, and crafting.

231-757-3707 ext. 111

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Bri grew up in Holland, MI, skiing and hiking in the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. She went to Michigan State University where she graduated with a degree in Environmental Geosciences, and spent her undergrad years working for a hydrogeology lab visiting streams and rivers around Michigan measuring nutrient loading and flow rate. She worked in Lansing for an environmental consulting agency after graduating, and then moved west where she worked in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, California, and Nevada for public lands agencies including the USFS, NPS, and USGS. She got an MS in Biology at Northern Arizona University in 2018. Since then, she's been looking for a chance to move back home to Michigan to be closer to family (and be near water and snow once again). She is excited to be working with landowners in the area protecting hemlock along the dunes and streams. She enjoys skiing, hiking, working on her travel trailer, and social dancing.

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Ryleigh joined our HWA crew in 2022. She and the rest of the team will continue surveying and treatment of the invasive insect Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. Ryleigh graduated from Aquinas College in 2022 with a BS in Environmental Studies with an Earth Science concentration. During her studies, she worked on the campus tree committee helping to develop and maintain an urban forest at the college. Ryleigh's senior independent research focused on the relationship between soil compaction and soil quality in Kent County farms. She also had the opportunity to travel to Iceland as a part of a historical and geomorphological study with her classmates. Ryleigh is originally from Muskegon, MI and grew up fishing on Lake Michigan with her father. Ryleigh enjoys hunting, fishing, knitting, drinking coffee, and hanging out with her pets. 

 

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Bri W. is an invasive species technician working with the hemlock woolly adelgid crew. She graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in Applied Ecology and specialized in plant genetics. At Michigan tech she did research for Nutrient Network on seed bank dynamics. Before joining, she was in California doing research for a winery on grape plant genetics. Bri is proud to now be working to protect hemlocks and slow the spread of HWA. She enjoys kayaking, hiking, backpacking, painting, and cooking.

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Angela is a member of our HWA Crew, which surveys and treats our local Hemlock trees for the invasive species of Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. 

Born and raised in Mason county, Angela graduated from Mason County Central High School and obtained an Associate Degree from West Shore Community College in Science. Angela learned the importance of Community and Hardwork through the Mason County 4H program, which she was a member of for thirteen years.

After graduation, Angela moved to Cody, Wyoming to work as an Equine Trail Guide in the Rocky Mountains just outside of Yellowstone National Park. Discovering a love for working outdoors and meeting new people, Angela moved back home to Scottville, MI to work on obtaining her Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology. 

When not working, Angela's hobbies include reading, hiking, kayaking and hanging out with her two Australian Cattle Dogs and her husband. Angela also enjoys riding her horses and teaching horseback riding to kids at her and her husband's forty acre farm in Custer.

Tel: 989-295-5661

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Allissa is the new Produce Safety Technician out of the Newaygo Conservation District serving Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana counties. She has a B.S. in Wildlife Management with a minor in sustainable natural resource and recreation management from Michigan State University. She has always had an interest in the outdoors and agriculture, and is looking to help the growers in her area in any way they need when it comes to on-farm produce safety. Originally from Saginaw, she has recently moved to the west side of the state and is enjoying her time here. Outside of work she enjoys traveling to visit with friends and family, as well as working on her nature photography.

Tel: (231) 889-9666

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Tel: 231- 757-3707 ext. 110

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Jerry Kass grew up on a dairy farm in Muskegon Michigan where he developed a love for the great outdoors. After High school he joined the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman where he had the opportunity to travel the world and develop his passion for assisting others. Jerry came home and enrolled in Grand Valley State University where he graduated with a major in wildlife biology and minor in chemistry. He spent three summers working with the DNR as a wildlife assistant working with local producers in Mason, Lake, Wexford, Osceola, and Missaukee counties helping them mitigate crop damage. He also banded waterfowl and conducted wildlife surveys. Jerry spent 6 months working as the Conservation Coordinator for the Kent Conservation District where he ran the invasive species strike team. Now he works as the Mason-Lake Conservation District’s Conservation Technician, helping landowners to utilize federal conservation programs.

Tel: (231) 757-3707 ext. 3

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Seth Earl is farm boy who is passionate about conservation and helping people pursue their dreams. Hailing originally from southern Michigan, Seth spent time working in conservation across seven states before moving back to Michigan and marrying the farmer’s daughter. Serving as a District Conservationist in the Scottville field office since September 2007, Seth works closely with farmers to evaluate conservation alternatives. Along with his wife Lyndsay, Seth assists in the agronomy and fertility management of her family’s 99-year-old, 1,600-acre, 500-cow dairy farm; Stakenas Farms in Free Soil. Active in 4-H, FFA and Farm Bureau, Seth and Lyndsay were named the 2017 National Runner-ups in the Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture contest. As young parents they fuel their passion for the agricultural industry, community minded approach and willingness to serve others as they try to instill the rural way of life for their daughters McKenzie and Madisyn.

Tel: (231) 429-5072

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Tel: (248) 210-6047

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