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Meet the Board
Susan Schwager - Board Chair
Susan has been a board member with the district since 2011. She has been a member of the community for over 35 years. She has interest in our land, water, and air quality, and helping promote and protect these natural resources. Susan retired from Chemical Bank and works in the community in various volunteer capacities in our county.
Paul Sawin - Vice-Chair
Paul was born in Missaukee County and grew up on a small general purpose farm. He currently owns a farm where he previously raised Belted Galloway cattle and currently grows hybrid Bearded Iris. Paul grew up learning about conservation firsthand through a rural school conservation program.
Janis Ransom - Treasurer
Janis retired from the Department of Environmental Quality (now EGLE) in Air Quality after 37 years. She' helped with our tree sales, the recycling center, and hazardous waste day. She’s interested in working on environmental and natural resources projects and is looking forward to involvement as a board member.
Sue Nyce - Director
Sue Nyce is a native of Kalamazoo where she attended Western Michigan. Sue lives on the Manistee River with her husband, Rick, and their cocker spaniel, Lilli. They live in the family cabin built in the late 1960’s and are avid fly fishermen.
Sue taught severely multiply impaired children for 26 years in Van Buren County and during those years, she became engaged in conservation activities through the school. It was not until she moved to the family cabin on the Manistee River that she learned that those activities were through the Conservation District. Sue has become a real advocate for all of the important work done by the Districts across the state and especially in Missaukee County.
Sue has been on the Missaukee Conservation District board since 2017. She is also on the MACD State Education Committee, the Climate Active sub-committee and the North Country Invasive Species Steering Committee. Sue also represents the public at large as a DNR representative on the Manistee Natural River Zoning Board. This past year Sue completed the Conservation Stewardship Program through MSU Extension earning her certificate as a Conservation Steward.
Sue taught severely multiply impaired children for 26 years in Van Buren County and during those years, she became engaged in conservation activities through the school. It was not until she moved to the family cabin on the Manistee River that she learned that those activities were through the Conservation District. Sue has become a real advocate for all of the important work done by the Districts across the state and especially in Missaukee County.
Sue has been on the Missaukee Conservation District board since 2017. She is also on the MACD State Education Committee, the Climate Active sub-committee and the North Country Invasive Species Steering Committee. Sue also represents the public at large as a DNR representative on the Manistee Natural River Zoning Board. This past year Sue completed the Conservation Stewardship Program through MSU Extension earning her certificate as a Conservation Steward.
Barb Iverson - Director
Barb is interested in increasing the awareness and ability for county residents to recycle used consumer materials because this will protect our county from toxic materials.
She would like people to be aware of the need for a healthy insect population which requires the need to protect native plants.
She would like people to be aware of the need for a healthy insect population which requires the need to protect native plants.
Chris Iverson - Associate Director
Chris retired from the U.S. Forest Service after a 30 year career as a wildlife biologist and administrator. He's an avid beekeeper with over 50 hives and thus great interest in pollinators and native plants. In addition, he's interested in sustainable forestry and is managing their 50 acre forest in Pioneer township for sugar bush, sawlogs, and firewood.
Ingrid Herweyer - Associate Director
Ingrid recently retired after teaching for 40 yrs. in McBain as a High School Special Education teacher and as an Elementary Education teacher in Sparta, MI. Having an interest in and a deep respect for the fundamental concepts of conservation have inspired her to join this group.
Eric Bradley - Associate Director
Eric moved to Missaukee County in October. He's married with 4 daughters and 2 granddaughters. He's employed by Labcorp as a Sales Executive. He grew up on a Michigan dairy farm, is a hunter and recently moved to a property on the Manistee River. He values Michigan's resources and believes in protecting them for future generations.
Mary Jane Emery - Associate Director and Friends of MCD Treasurer
Mary Jane grew up on a farm in Missaukee County. She retired from employment with the State of Michigan after 38 years of public service. Mary Jane is an avid bicyclist, kayaker and hiker. She has volunteered on various programs for the Conservation District and has a deep interest in protecting our natural resources.
How the Board Works:
Board of Directors are elected for 4 year terms by Missaukee County residents at the Annual Meetings and are the only ones with voting power on business matters.
Associate Directors have expressed interest in the organization and attend board meetings to stay up to date and offer their opinions but can not make motions or vote on business matters.
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