Our Team

Jennifer Brown

Chief Operating Officer

jennifer@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 108

Started at Blandford: June 2014

Education: MA, Outdoor Recreation (Aurora University)
BA, Natural Resources & Environment (University of Michigan)
Certificate in Nonprofit Management (University of Alaska-Fairbanks)

Hobbies/Interests: baking, running, traveling

Favorite part about Blandford: witnessing people enjoying nature on their own terms every day

Jaime Dobson

Director of Finance & HR

jaime@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 122

Started at Blandford: March 2017

Education: BA, Interpersonal Communications (Michigan State University)
Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation (International Wildlife Rehab Council)

Hobbies/Interests: camping/hiking with pets, live music, art glass creations

Favorite part about Blandford: working with an amazing group of talented, mission-driven staff

Julie Batty

Land Stewardship Manager

julie@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 124

Started at Blandford: January 2017

Education: MS, Biology (Grand Valley State University)
BS, Wildlife Biology (University of Missouri)

Hobbies/Interests: visiting Lake Michigan, dancing, and telling people all about plants

Favorite part about Blandford: working with the amazing eco-steward volunteers

Cameron Popa

Office Coordinator & Bookkeeper

cameron@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 127

Started at Blandford: January 2019

Education: BA, English Language & Literature (Western Michigan University)

Hobbies/Interests: gardening, videogames, walking/hiking

Favorite part about Blandford: learning new things every day and building relationships with incredible people

Dyon Dubero

Maintenance & Land Stewardship Technician

dyon@blandfordnaturecenter.org  | 616-735-6240

Started at Blandford: October 2018

Education: BS, Natural Resource Management (Grand Valley State University)

Hobbies/Interests: fishing, video games, soccer

Favorite part about Blandford: working with a great group of staff and working outdoors

Jess Bitting

Director of Development

jess@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 109

development@blandfordnaturecenter.org

Started at Blandford: March 2018

Education: BA, International Studies (Seattle University)

Hobbies/Interests: fermentation, hiking/observing nature, sewing

Favorite part about Blandford: the dynamic and inspiring work environment

Sidney Baxter

Marketing & Communications Manager

sidney@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 110

social@blandfordnaturecenter.org

Started at Blandford: September 2020

Education: BS, Zoology – Neurobiology/Animal Behavior (Michigan State University)

Hobbies/Interests: Running, thrifting, crafts, live music with friends

Favorite part about Blandford: working with people who share the same enthusiasm for wildlife and the environment

Chantal Hayes

Development Manager

chantal@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 121

development@blandfordnaturecenter.org

Started at Blandford: February 2019

Education: BS, Middle School Math and Science (Ohio University)
MS, Science Education (Wright State University)

Hobbies/Interests: hiking, kayaking, crafting, playing with my dogs

Favorite part about Blandford: the setting and staff provide the community with so many opportunities to learn and explore

Sue Van Dame

Visitor Services Specialist

sue@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 118

Started at Blandford: May 2016

Education: BS, Advertising/Marketing

Hobbies/Interests: Creating jewelry and metalsmithing, nature enthusiast and animal lover, healthy cooking/eating

Favorite part about Blandford: that Blandford brings the beauty and healing power of nature to all of us

Nicole Brandes

Visitor Services Associate

nicole@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240

Started at Blandford: March 2021

Education: Pursuing BS, Nursing (Grand Valley State University)

Hobbies/Interests: fishing, swimming, kayaking, hiking

Favorite part about Blandford: the animals

Jayme Kettle

Visitor Services Associate

kettle@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240

Started at Blandford: August 2022

Education: BFA, Art & Design, Jewelry and Metalsmithing – (Grand Valley State University)

Hobbies/Interests: exploring nature with my family, metal and fiber arts, anything dog related

Favorite part about Blandford: the endless possibilities for open exploration and education, and working with a dedicated and passionate team

Katie Clouse

Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager

clousek@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 104

volunteer@blandfordnaturecenter.org

Started at Blandford: February 2019

Education: BFA, Advertising Communications (International Academy of Design/Technology-Chicago)

Hobbies/Interests: hiking, camping, reading, spending time with my dogs & family, birding, music

Favorite part about Blandford: working in a beautiful environment with amazing, passionate people

Liz Visser

Farm Manager

liz@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 125

Started at Blandford: April 2016

Education: BA, Art & Design (Grand Valley State University)

Hobbies/Interests: cooking, quilting, painting portraits

Favorite part about Blandford: contributing to the sustainability and local food movement in a hands-on way

Mary Rose Jones

Camp Manager

maryrose@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 105

camp@blandfordnaturecenter.org

Started at Blandford: August 2017

Education: BAA, Outdoor Recreation/Environmental Education (Central Michigan University)

Hobbies/Interests: camping/birding, movies/shows, cuddling with pets

Favorite part about Blandford: having new experiences, or learning something new each day at Blandford

Heather Lewis

Program Manager

heather@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 115

Started at Blandford: September 2017

Education: MS, Infectious Disease Epidemiology (University of Oxford)
MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education (University of Michigan)
BA, Anthropology (Harvard University)
Certificate in Montessori Early Childhood (New England Montessori Teacher Education Center)

Hobbies/Interests: reading, traveling, spending time with family and pets

Favorite part about Blandford: exploring outdoors with students from all over West Michigan

Lori Lomoro

Wildlife Manager

lori@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 101

Started at Blandford: May 2002

Education: BS, Wildlife Biology (Grand Valley State University)
Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation, Zoonoses, Reuniting Raptors, Wound Management (International Wildlife Rehab Council)

Hobbies/Interests: gardening, crafting, thrift shopping

Favorite part about Blandford: caring for wildlife in a beautiful setting

Camilla Voelker

Community Programs Coordinator

camilla@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 102

Started at Blandford: May 2022

Education:

Hobbies/Interests: 

Favorite part about Blandford: 

Katie Cevaal

Camp Administrator & Education Specialist

cevaal@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 113

Started at Blandford: February 2022

Education: BA, Environmental Studies (Illinois Wesleyan University)

Hobbies/Interests: hiking, cooking, gardening, spending time with family

Favorite part about Blandford: learning something new everyday!

Jenny Miller

Wildlife Education Specialist

miller@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 137

Started at Blandford: May 2022

Education: BS, Zoology (Colorado State University)

Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, paddle boarding, thrifting

Favorite part about Blandford: Being able to share nature with the Grand Rapids Community

Sarah Chertos

Wildlife Education Specialist

sarah@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 114

Started at Blandford: June 2014

Education: BS, Biology Natural Resources and Outdoor & Environmental Recreation (Central Michigan University)

Hobbies/Interests: swimming, birding, herping (searching for herptiles)

Favorite part about Blandford: daily opportunities to help the community fall in love with wildlife and nature

Sarah Bass

Farm Programs Specialist

bass@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 107

Started at Blandford: January 2022

Education: BA, English Literature and Gender Studies (Calvin College)

Hobbies/Interests: collecting rocks, reading poetry, swimming in the Great Lakes

Favorite part about Blandford: the constant learning of new things and the chance to share the magic of plants and seeds and soil with others

Katie Goplerud-Smith

Environmental Educator

goplerud-smith@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 112

Started at Blandford: June 2021

Education: BS, Wildlife Ecology: Research & Management (University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point)

Hobbies/Interests: hiking, running, traveling, fly fishing, and learning about nature

Favorite part about Blandford: Always finding something new on the trails and working with an awesome team

Angela Haan

Farm Production Specialist

angela@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240

Started at Blandford: January 2022

Education: BA, Anthropology (Grand Valley State University)
BA, Environmental & Sustainability Studies (Grand Valley State University)

Hobbies/Interests: learning more about plants, thrifting, camping, scrapbooking, cooking

Favorite part about Blandford: how welcoming and accessible it is to explore, learn, rest, and engage with nature

Samantha Walker

Environmental Educator

samantha@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 107

Started at Blandford: June 2022

Education: BS, Wildlife Biology (University of Michigan-Flint)

Hobbies/Interests: gardening, crafting, wakeboarding, movies

Favorite part about Blandford: learning new things every day from other staff members!