Board of Director Bios
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Dave Brewer
Dave Brewer is a retired science teacher with a geology degree, over 30 years teaching experience and a National Board Teaching Certification. In 2019, he became a U of I Extension Master Naturalist and started volunteering on prescribed burns, invasive plant removal, and seed harvesting with MRCP, TNC, IAS, & DNR in Lee and LaSalle counties. He is an avid birder and spends time hiking in the woods and prairies in search of feathered friends. He lives in Mendota with his wife, Amy. |
Bill Kleiman
Project Director, Nachusa Grasslands
The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Chapter
For 27 years, Bill Kleiman has been the project director for The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands in North-central Illinois. Bill has directed various aspects of land management, habitat restoration and the volunteer stewardship program for the 4,000-acre Nachusa Grasslands preserve. The preserve introduced bison in 2014 and has a vigorous science program. Bill co-leads the Grassland Restoration Network, serves with the Middle Rock Conservation Partners.
Bill has been a burn boss for over 400 fires. He is a director with the Illinois Prescribed Fire Council, co-author of the Illinois Fire Needs Assessment and the Illinois Fires Accomplished Map.
Bill has received recognition awards from the Natural Areas Association and the Society of Ecological Restoration.
[How to pronounce Kleiman. “Kliman” with an i like in the element iodine”]
Project Director, Nachusa Grasslands
The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Chapter
For 27 years, Bill Kleiman has been the project director for The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands in North-central Illinois. Bill has directed various aspects of land management, habitat restoration and the volunteer stewardship program for the 4,000-acre Nachusa Grasslands preserve. The preserve introduced bison in 2014 and has a vigorous science program. Bill co-leads the Grassland Restoration Network, serves with the Middle Rock Conservation Partners.
Bill has been a burn boss for over 400 fires. He is a director with the Illinois Prescribed Fire Council, co-author of the Illinois Fire Needs Assessment and the Illinois Fires Accomplished Map.
Bill has received recognition awards from the Natural Areas Association and the Society of Ecological Restoration.
[How to pronounce Kleiman. “Kliman” with an i like in the element iodine”]
Cody Considine
Deputy Director, Nachusa Grasslands
The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Chapter
Cody Considine graduated with a Masters in Forestry from Southern Illinois University, studying the wild land fire history of the Kankakee Sands area. A native of Dixon, Cody has been with The Nature Conservancy for 15 years, currently as Deputy Director at Nachusa Grasslands. Cody has served as the Vice President of MRCP from 2017-2023.
Deputy Director, Nachusa Grasslands
The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Chapter
Cody Considine graduated with a Masters in Forestry from Southern Illinois University, studying the wild land fire history of the Kankakee Sands area. A native of Dixon, Cody has been with The Nature Conservancy for 15 years, currently as Deputy Director at Nachusa Grasslands. Cody has served as the Vice President of MRCP from 2017-2023.
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Damian Considine
Damian Considine is a longtime volunteer supporting many natural areas in the region. Since retiring from his career with the Illinois Department of Transportation in Lee County, battling to save roadside prairies, Damian has accumulated the most hours in running MRCP's Fecon brush mower, and has the most volunteer hours of any MRCP steward. He leads prescribed fires, harvests seed, and has served as an MRCP board member since its inception in 2017. |
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Russ Blogg
Illinois District Heritage Biologist Illinois Department of Natural Resources |