Welcome to the LEINWC

Board of Directors

Chair: Kristin Stanford

Secretary: Peggy Leopold

Treasurer: Kit Knaser

Members

Lisa Brohl

Sue Bixler

Missi Kowalski

Director: Renée Fultz, MA

Renée grew up in Grand Rapids and Maumee, Ohio. Her parents bought a cottage on Middle Bass Island when she was 4 years old and she has spent many summers there, including working at several of the businesses as an adult. She studied Psychology at NYU and received a Master's in Clinical Psychology from the University of Indianapolis before changing her career focus to the field of conservation. She earned a Master's in Biology with a focus in conservation and education from Miami University where she travelled with the program to Baja Mexico, Namibia, and Mongolia to learn about conservation work in those countries. She has also often travelled internationally doing conservation work and research. Renée assisted in the startup of a zoo in southern Ohio where she cared for various animals and helped with educational programming. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, woodworking, and being involved in citizen science projects. She is excited to bring all of these experiences to her role as Director at the Nature and Wildlife Center and work towards growing the educational programming, increasing involvement in conservation efforts, and expanding the Center’s contributions to and support of the communities of the Lake Erie Islands.

Road Scholar Director & Nature Camp Coordinator: Emily Beal

Emily Beal is in her second year as our Nature Camp Coordinator and recently took over running the Road Scholar program. She is originally from Hinckley, Ohio but has spent much of her life on the islands. Emily is finishing up her degree at West Virginia University studying Wildlife and Fisheries, with hopes of working as a naturalist or wildlife biologist. She previously worked at the state park on Kelley’s Island for 2 years and has been helping out with nature camp programs on the islands for 7 years now. In her free time, Emily enjoys swimming, kayaking, and hiking.

 

LEINWC Manager: If interested please apply by sending resume and cover letter to leinwc@gmail.com

Education & Outreach Coordinator: If interested please apply by sending resume and cover letter to leinwc@gmail.com

 

Volunteer Research Coordinator: Amy Alford, PhD

Amy is a native of Groveport, OH and an OSU alum. She fell in love with the water and all its fish while a student at Stone Lab. She has a MS in Fisheries and Wildlife and a PhD in Forest Resources from Mississippi State University. Amy has lived on a research boat in Lake Michigan, tromped through alligator swamps of Arkansas, waded in the Gulf of Mexico alongside dolphins while studying blue crab, and caught monster catfish and gar on the Mighty Mississippi River. She was a lecturer in Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries at the University of Tennessee before joining the LEINWC in the summer of 2021. She recently took over the role of Road Scholar Director, coordinating multiple educational programs through the Lake Erie Islands (chiefly South Bass Island and Kelleys Island), helping to promote the nature, history and culture of the islands.