2022 Officers
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Austin, President
Live in Oregon with my wife Randi, son Bryce, and our two dogs Bo and Huck. Love to be outdoors with my family, whether hiking, fishing, or exploring. In my professional life, I've been at Byron Forest Preserve District for the past 14 years, which prides itself in the restoration and care of its natural areas. Volunteering with Middle Rock Conservation Partners let's me stretch my legs a little more. Partnering to help natural areas that don't have employees or equipment has been part of the local conservation effort since the beginning, and MRCP has been handed the baton. MRCP has also given me an extended family, made of incredible people who share a common goal of giving back to nature. |
Cody Considine, Vice-President
Cody Considine has been with The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands since 2005 when he first started as a summer intern. He completed his master’s degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale with his thesis on the fire history of TNC’s Kankakee Sands. Shortly thereafter he was hired on as the restoration ecologist for Nachusa in 2008 and was promoted in 2019 to the deputy director.
Cody was instrumental in leading the bison reintroduction effort and continues to lead Nachusa’s operations, including bison management. He also serves a leading role on TNC’s bison managers team. Cody is currently co-leading an effort to help build capacity within TNC to partner with Indigenous communities to support their restoration efforts across North America.
Cody is certified as RXB2 to lead prescribed fire.
Born and raised in nearby Dixon, Cody is well connected throughout the community currently serving as vice president for the Middle Rock Conservation Partners, board member of Richardson’s Wildlife Foundation, director for the Ogle County Soil and Water Conservation District. Past duties included vice chair for the Ogle County Zoning Board of Appeals and Ogle County Regional Planning Committee.
Cody and his wife Angie have two boys Rowan (12), Declan (10), and two dogs Leo and Lola.
Cody Considine has been with The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands since 2005 when he first started as a summer intern. He completed his master’s degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale with his thesis on the fire history of TNC’s Kankakee Sands. Shortly thereafter he was hired on as the restoration ecologist for Nachusa in 2008 and was promoted in 2019 to the deputy director.
Cody was instrumental in leading the bison reintroduction effort and continues to lead Nachusa’s operations, including bison management. He also serves a leading role on TNC’s bison managers team. Cody is currently co-leading an effort to help build capacity within TNC to partner with Indigenous communities to support their restoration efforts across North America.
Cody is certified as RXB2 to lead prescribed fire.
Born and raised in nearby Dixon, Cody is well connected throughout the community currently serving as vice president for the Middle Rock Conservation Partners, board member of Richardson’s Wildlife Foundation, director for the Ogle County Soil and Water Conservation District. Past duties included vice chair for the Ogle County Zoning Board of Appeals and Ogle County Regional Planning Committee.
Cody and his wife Angie have two boys Rowan (12), Declan (10), and two dogs Leo and Lola.
Kathy Lawrence, Treasurer
At 71 years of age, Kathy has had a variety of opportunities. Growing up in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, she enjoyed spending virtually all of her free time, along with her parents and brother and sister, at their grandparent’s farm in Monee Illinois. The farm was in the family since the early 1830’s and was sold in the mid 1990’s as part of a transportation hub near I 57 and I 80. Her working career began in the computer department in an insurance administrative firm, followed by 17 years in a law firm as its manager. After putting herself through college, she met and married Kent Lawrence. While attending DePaul University to earn her MBA, she volunteered as a tutor for a local school. That turned into working at one of the first 5 charter schools in Illinois. Initially she served as the school’s administrator, but eventually became a member of the board of directors and on its executive committee. Perspectives Charter School has now grown to 5 campuses with over 1700 students. In 2004 Kathy and Kent built, and now live in, an environmentally friendly home just outside of the City of Oregon, IL. Shortly after the construction they created the Kickapoo Mud Creek Nature Conservancy which abuts the Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center. Today she and Kent enjoy spending their time working at the Conservancy. She currently serves as the Treasurer of the Middle Rock Conservation Partners.
At 71 years of age, Kathy has had a variety of opportunities. Growing up in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, she enjoyed spending virtually all of her free time, along with her parents and brother and sister, at their grandparent’s farm in Monee Illinois. The farm was in the family since the early 1830’s and was sold in the mid 1990’s as part of a transportation hub near I 57 and I 80. Her working career began in the computer department in an insurance administrative firm, followed by 17 years in a law firm as its manager. After putting herself through college, she met and married Kent Lawrence. While attending DePaul University to earn her MBA, she volunteered as a tutor for a local school. That turned into working at one of the first 5 charter schools in Illinois. Initially she served as the school’s administrator, but eventually became a member of the board of directors and on its executive committee. Perspectives Charter School has now grown to 5 campuses with over 1700 students. In 2004 Kathy and Kent built, and now live in, an environmentally friendly home just outside of the City of Oregon, IL. Shortly after the construction they created the Kickapoo Mud Creek Nature Conservancy which abuts the Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center. Today she and Kent enjoy spending their time working at the Conservancy. She currently serves as the Treasurer of the Middle Rock Conservation Partners.
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Lauren Marks, Secretary
Lauren Marks was raised in Oregon, IL. Her love for nature began at an early age with exploring the woods and prairies in her area. She has always enjoyed going on hikes with her family and friends. Lauren’s love for nature continued to grow thru family vacations out west. Lauren completed her Bachelor’s Degrees of Finance and Environmental Studies at Lake Forest College (LFC) in 2014. While she was at LFC, Lauren volunteered on her college campus to help restore areas on campus with her professor and classmates. She first started as a summer seasonal at the Byron Forest Preserve District (BFPD) in 2014 and was hired full time at BFPD in January of 2015 as a restoration technician. Lauren is currently secretary of Middle Rock Conservation Partners. |