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NetworkSkip to footer The Stewardship Network Next Year Home Agenda 2024 Sponsors Archive The Stewardship Network Conference #17 January 29th - 30th, 2024 The Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center Michigan State University 219 S. Harrison Road East Lansing, MI 48824 Each year since 2008, we’ve gathered environmental scholars, leading experts, and a wide cross-section of nature’s caretakers to share ideas, challenge our thinking, and leave energized for the seasons ahead, bolstered by the knowledge that none of us are doing this vital work alone. After three highly successful online years, The Stewardship Network Conference 2024 marked the return to our celebrated, in-person tradition and we were truly humbled by the energy, wisdom, and collaborative spirit of the hundreds in attendance. January’s event was truly a homecoming for us all and we’re excited to grow together into the future. Thank you, everyone! 2024 Keynote Presenters Evan Larson Professor of Environmental Sciences & Society University of Wisconsin - Plattevile Priya Nanjappa Vice President of Conservation Programs National Parks Conservation Association 2024 SpeakersIan Ableson Ian Ableson Six Rivers Land Conservancy Ian is the Stewardship Manager of Six Rivers Land Conservancy, conducting natural resource management, restoration, and monitoring across a five-county region in Southeast Michigan. Before his time at Six Rivers, Ian worked as an education specialist for the Organization for Bat Conservation, an interpretive naturalist for the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, and a planetarium operator and museum docent for the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History. He holds a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.Jon W. Allan Jon W. Allan US Biosphere Network Jon W. Allan joined the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan in 2019 after he retired as the Director of the Office of the Great Lakes. His work focuses on the enterprise of sustainability related to the intersection of ecological, economic, social and cultural value. He is currently the U.S. Co-chair of the International Joint Commission’s Great Lakes Water Quality Board, is a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Science Advisory Board, chairs the US Biosphere Network’s steering committee, chairs MSU’s Institute for Water Research Advisory Board, is on the Board of Governors at Cranbrook Institute of Science, is on the board of Audubon Great Lakes, and advises other projects and organizations. Jon is also the President and Founder of the Jon W. Allan Group, a private consultancy specializing in strategic insight for freshwater and the Great Lakes, energy and environmental policy and natural resource governance.Robert Ayotte Robert Ayotte Michigan Botanical Society Robert is a graduate of the UM School of Natural Resources and has worked nationwide as both a forest ecologist and naturalist. He is currently the Vice President of the Michigan Botanical Society, and a botanist/field technician for the Michigan Natural Features Inventory.Barb Barton Barb Barton Endangered Species Consulting Barb Barton is a renaissance woman – endangered species biologist, author, filmmaker, and photographer. She has had a long career in conservation biology working for The Nature Conservancy, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and various nature centers in Michigan and Indiana. She is the author of the book Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan (MSU Press) which received the Michigan History Award and the Michigan Notable Book Award. Her documentary short Water” about the Flint Water crisis earned awards at 12 film festivals around the country. Barb retired from MDOT in May of 2023 and has since devoted her time to a new passion, astrophotography, focusing on deep sky objects such as nebulae and galaxies. She is combining her creativity and science background to create new audio/visual pieces to reflect the interconnection of us all.Tyler Bassett Tyler Bassett Michigan Natural Features Inventory Tyler is a botanist and plant ecologist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan State University Extension. He studies the ecology, classification, and management of ecosystems, with a focus on the rare plant species they support. In particular, he has a passion for understanding and restoring the fragmented and fire-suppressed prairie-savanna landscapes of the upper Midwest. He has worked in private, public, non-profit and academic spheres for over 20 years to bring the science and practice of conservation and restoration together to improve outcomes for biodiversity. Communicating both the necessity and process of achieving these outcomes to a range of audiences is an essential step in that process, and one he enjoys. He earned a B.S. in Biology from Western Michigan University in 2000 and PhD from Michigan State University in 2017.Michelle Beloskur Michelle Beloskur Midwest Invasive Plant Network Michelle is the Coordinator of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN). Michelle co-directs the Public Gardens as Sentinels against Invasive Plants initiative and facilitates invasive species information sharing and collaboration across the Midwest . Her background includes over eight years of professional invasive species outreach and management experience, addressing both terrestrial and aquatic invasive species. Her background also includes experience in environmental research and regulation. Michelle holds a B.S in Biology from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in Environmental Geoscience from Michigan State University.Lauren Bennett Lauren Bennett University of Michigan Lauren Bennett is a master’s student at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability where she studies ecosystem science and management. She obtained her B.S. in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology and B.A. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Purdue. Last summer, Lauren worked for the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens where she worked to care for their extensive collection. Her areas of interest include animal behavior and habitat restoration.Bindu Bhakta Bindu Bhakta Michigan State University Extension Bindu Bhakta has served as a Natural Resources Educator for Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) since 2005 and is based in Oakland County where she was also raised and is now currently watching her family grow up. She develops and delivers public education programs for adults and youth on a variety of natural resource-related topics. She coordinates the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program which empowers individuals with knowledge and expertise to allow them to engage in local conservation stewardship activities.Nichole Keway Biber Nichole Keway Biber Anishinaabek Caucus Dr. Nichole Keway Biber is a tribal citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Mishiike Dodem (turtle clan).Micah Blake-Smith Micah Blake-Smith Education Specialist Detroit Zoological Society & Belle Isle Nature Center Micah Blake-Smith is an education specialist at the Belle Isle Nature Center. He has a background in agriculture education and youth outdoor engagement. Previously he served as an Americorps VISTA at the University of Michigan’s Office of Metropolitan Impact, where he coordinated community engagement efforts for OMI and the SEMI Wild Network Youth Career Pathways committee. He worked to create long-lasting bonds between the committee and local youth-serving organizations with the goal of providing nature-based educational programs for their summer youth programs. Currently, Micah oversees the Environmental Stewardship Internship program.John Brittenham John Brittenham Blue Heron Ministries John has worked at Blue Heron Ministries as a restoration ecologist for the past 11 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Huntington University and a Master of Environmental Science degree from Taylor University. John is passionate...